Unexpected Players Who Can Make a Difference Next Season for the Cowboys

Entering this season, the focus on the Cowboys, rightfully so, will be on their star players like Dak Prescott coming back from injury or Micah Parsons and how he will perform off his new contract that surely will come his way. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are two more names that are in the spotlight, too, figuring out how they will manage to play with one another and how vital they will be to the success of Prescott and the offense. However, certain players on the roster are looking to make a name for themselves this season. These players will hope to create an impact for the Cowboys and become key parts of a deep playoff run that the Cowboys have been waiting to have.

Jonathan Mingo

Jonathan Mingo was brought to Dallas last year, midway through the season, via a fourth-round pick. Questions arose when Dallas decided to make the trade because it came out of nowhere, but the Joneses felt this was a good trade by their standards. They fell in love with Mingo when he was coming out of Ole Miss, but Carolina selected him in the second round before Dallas could have the chance. Now with Mingo in their hands, he has to play a role where he isn’t as dependent on Lamb and Pickens, so his emergence could be unexpected but key this season.

Alijah Clark

The undrafted free agent Alijah Clark from Syracuse has been making his name for himself in OTAs in recent weeks. He’s been taking first-team reps thus far in front of longtime safety Donovan Wilson. It is the offseason training camp, but the fact that he has been starting in these practices gives Dallas the idea that they have a new safety in their hands. Dallas needs a safety who can defend against the run, so Clark might just be the answer they have been looking for.

Caelen Carson

Caelen Carson showed a lot of promise last season in OTAs and was expected to be a potential future cornerstone at cornerback, especially with the fact that DaRon Bland or Trevon Diggs may not return next season. Injuries and poor play held him back badly last season, but Dallas still believes in the young corner. His skill set allows him to play all over the field at any corner position, similar to Bland. He still needs a lot of improvement, but once he can gain his confidence, which he did not have last year, he could be the future at the position.