Underrated Cowboys Players to Watch in 2026 Season Opener
The NFL season begins in less than a week, and the Dallas Cowboys open up their season with a classic opening game. On Sunday Night Football, the Cowboys will head to the Meadowlands to play the New York Giants for the fifth time to open the season since 2016 with a record of 3-1. The focus will be on all the star players on Sunday night, such as Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb; however, with a newly constructed roster in 2026 compared to 2025, there are new faces to keep an eye on. With Dallas looking to win an important divisional game to start the season, who are some underrated players to watch in the Cowboys' season opener?
The Cowboys have arguably the best receiving core in the entire league, filled with stars like the aforementioned Lamb and George Pickens. However, the third receiver on the roster, Ryan Flournoy, emerged a season ago. The key for the Giants, like most teams facing the Cowboys this season, is to try and slow down the two-headed monster at receiver, but that leaves the door wide open for Flournoy to have an impact game. What plays to his advantage as well is the trust he has built with Prescott since he first debuted in the league two seasons prior. It may only be a couple of huge first downs, or potentially even a touchdown, but Week One is where he can remind the NFL that Dallas has more threats at receiver than just Lamb and Pickens.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Dee Winters is one player to look out for. Dallas acquired Winters during the second day of the NFL draft, and he, alongside DeMarvion Overshown, will be the starting linebacker for this opening game. The Cowboys targeted him after he had an impressive breakout year for San Francisco, and he fits the mold and culture that head coach Brian Schottenheimer and new defensive coordinator Christian Parker were looking to get. The Dallas linebacking core is the one area that did not see significant improvement, and while there is optimism surrounding Overshown's healthy return, there is also confidence in Winters' potential. There is no better way to make a great impression on a new team than against a division rival on Sunday Night Football, and Dee Winters has the chance to do just that.
