For the 29th consecutive season, the Dallas Cowboys are once again watching other teams compete in the NFC Championship Game. Their 7-10 finish in 2024 is now 19 days old, and they currently don’t have a head coach or any coaches at any position.
While the 2024 season was largely a disappointment, marked by poor planning, execution, and health issues, there were still some standout performances by the Cowboys.
Aside from stars like edge rusher Micah Parsons and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, here are five players who impressed for Dallas:
KaVontae Turpin, receiver/returner
When the NFL introduced new kickoff return rules in 2024, the Cowboys knew Turpin would be a valuable asset. He averaged 33.5 yards per kick return, the best in Cowboys history and the second-best in the NFL since the 1970 merger.
His Week 12 touchdown return against the Washington Commanders, after bobbling the ball at the goal line and spinning to gain space, was the Cowboys’ play of the year. He also returned a 60-yard punt for a touchdown, becoming one of the few players in Cowboys history to score a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown, punt return touchdown, and kick return touchdown in their career.
Turpin was named a first-team All-Pro and was selected for the Pro Bowl Games for the second time in three years.
The Cowboys will have a decision to make regarding Turpin this offseason as he’s set to become a restricted free agent. To keep him, they will likely have to offer him a second-round tender, which is expected to be around $5 million, to prevent other teams from signing him.
Brandon Aubrey, kicker
In his second year in the league, Aubrey was named to the Pro Bowl for the second time.
He made 40 of 47 field goal attempts in 2024, though five misses were from long distances—51, 70, and 61 yards (the 61-yard attempt hit the upright). Two others were blocked. Aubrey also made a 65-yard field goal, the second-longest in NFL history, just behind Justin Tucker’s 66-yard attempt.
He set a record by making 14 field goals from 50 yards or more in a season, the most by any kicker in NFL history. He’s the first kicker to make 10 or more field goals of 50+ yards in multiple seasons.
Aubrey has been a key player for an offense that struggled to score touchdowns, and his strong leg helps the team with kickoffs, as he can place the ball in the corners or boot it out of the end zone.
Rico Dowdle, running back
It took the Cowboys some time to give Dowdle the starting role, but once he had the opportunity, he delivered, finishing the season with 1,079 rushing yards. He ended the season with four 100-yard games in the last six weeks.
His success coincided with improvements in the Cowboys’ offensive line play, but there are concerns about his ability to break long runs. He had 25 carries of 10 yards or more but only two runs of 20 yards or more.
Dowdle will be an unrestricted free agent in March, and the draft features many top running back prospects, which could impact the Cowboys’ decision on whether to re-sign him.
The Cowboys will have to decide if they believe in the idea that running backs can be found anywhere, as Dowdle was an undrafted free agent who hadn’t had a 100-yard game or more than 89 carries in any season before 2024.
DeMarvion Overshown, linebacker
Overshown’s season was a mix of good and bad.
The good: After missing his rookie year due to a torn ACL, he finished second on the team with 95 tackles, recorded five sacks, returned an interception for a touchdown, and had 16 quarterback pressures, all in just 13 games.
However, in his 13th game, he tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL in his right knee, putting his availability for part of the 2025 season in question.
Before his injury, the Cowboys had a promising playmaker who could pair with Micah Parsons in the front seven, but now his future is uncertain.
Jourdan Lewis, cornerback
Lewis was a steady presence in the secondary, missing only one game. Trevon Diggs missed the final four games due to knee surgery, and DaRon Bland missed the first 10 games after left foot surgery.
Lewis finished with 78 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, three pressures, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and five pass deflections. He played 79% of the defensive snaps, earning the trust of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who valued Lewis’ tough play and his ability to help in the run game.
Out of the Cowboys’ 22 unrestricted free agents, keeping Lewis is a priority.
