4-EYED TEAM PREVIEW: DALLAS COWBOYS (2021)
Next in our 4-EYED TEAM PREVIEW SERIES, as we are finishing our coverage of the NFC EAST, the Dallas Cowboys! Right now we’re talking offense so strap in, get ready, and enjoy the ride!
The Dallas Cowboys were not a “good” team last season. Specifically speaking they were not a good defensive team last season. They ranked 28th as a defensive unit overall according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) and as a result of their poor play, the offense for the Cowboys had to unleash every single weapon at their disposal to help keep them in games. This, of course, was great for fantasy football purposes because most of their skill players and their quarterback were near the top of their position in fantasy points scored. That all changed when Dak Prescott was lost for the season with a fractured ankle in Week 5. There were a lot “WHAT IFs” and “WHAT COULD HAVE BEENS” floating around Cowboys Nation and their fantasy football fans after losing him.
Flash-forward to 2021 with the Cowboys re-signing their franchise quarterback to a long-term deal, a quarterback who is 100% recovered from his injuries suffered last season. Mini-camp reports have sung the praises of this receiving corps as well as the improved shape of their star running back, Ezekiel Elliott. By all accounts the Cowboys find themselves in a very similar situation on both sides of the ball heading into the 2021 NFL season, and as such have fantasy managers chomping at the bit to get a piece of this offense one way or another.
So who are the players on the Cowboys that could help you win a fantasy football title in 2021?
Find out now in our Cowboys 4-EYED Offensive Team Preview!
Quarterback
Dak Prescott
The most games with 400+ pass yards since 2016?
— NFL (@NFL) July 6, 2021
That’s @dak. ⭐️ (h/t @PFF) pic.twitter.com/28A7cEk4cq
First in passing attempts, completions, in the number of 300-yard games, in touchdown passes of 40 yards or longer, 4th in rushing attempts from within the five-yard line, and 27.8 fantasy points per game during weeks 1-5 it is no reason why there is so much optimism for Dak Prescott heading into the 2021 season. Yes, I know he’s coming off a broken ankle, but modern medicine has come a long way also. There’s really not much else to say here, folks. Dak Prescott is an elite talent and great for fantasy football. As a fan who enjoys playing this game, I’d be more than happy to invest a 4 or 5th round draft pick on Dak, and so should you.
Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliott
Fantasy Football Point Per Game Finish
2020: RB19 with 12.9 fppg with his starting QB for 5 games
2019: RB5 with 17.9 fppg with his starting QB all season
2018: RB8 with 19.2 fppg with his starting QB all season
Which of these fantasy football finishes is not like the other?!
For a running back who has finished with over 1,100 yards at minimum for the past three seasons, who was 5th in rushing attempts, 7th in avoided tackles, 8th in receptions for an RB, and 1st in rushing attempts from within the five-yard line in 2020 combined with the fact that he has no competition at the position there is no reason to be scared of Zeke’s ADP in any format. Draft him with confidence.
Wide Receivers
Amari Cooper & CeeDee Lamb
Andy Dalton dimes Amari Cooper for the TD 🎯
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 26, 2020
We got a game here.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/CmsEwdGG5r
In Weeks 1-5 with Dak Prescott under center, Ceedee Lamb and Amari Cooper were the 1 and 1A of this receiving corps. Lamb and Cooper amongst all NFL wide receivers during that time period were in the top-10 in receiving yards, top-10 in receiving targets, and were 12th & 13th, respectfully, in fantasy points per game (14.2 & 13.9 in half-PPR).
With a healthy Dak back under center, there is no reason to think these two WRs can’t pick up and exceed where they left off. Both are high-end WR2s with every week WR1 upside!
Michael Gallup
COWBOYS FILM ROOM 🎬: Dak Prescott airs it out to Michael Gallup for a 49yd TD! ✭ #dallascowboys pic.twitter.com/7pyeOi7oqG
— The Cowboys Network (@TheCowboysNet) July 19, 2021
What should you make of Michael Gallup’s upside for fantasy in 2021?
Find out on our 2021 NFC EAST PREVIEW podcast on 4thAndFrames!