There are a handful of Cowboys players who need to have a big season in 2025.
Only 11 players are allowed on the field of play at a time in the NFL, but if we're completely honest about things, some of those players are simply more important than others. The Dallas Cowboys found that out the hard way last season in 2024 when they had several key players in and out of the lineup due to one injury or another.
Injuries to key players last season helped doom the Cowboys season almost from the get-go. For them to compete among the best in 2025, those injuries are something that will hopefully stay in the past. Sadly, that's one part of the game that is completely unpredictable no matter how much anyone tries to prevent it.
For Brian Schottenheimer to have a successful first-year as Dallas' new head coach he'll need several players to have a bounce-back season. Today, we point out three who will be integral to the team’s overall success. Each one the players listed below are coming off of a disappointing year and need to bounce-back in a big way.
Prescott was limited to just eight games in 2024 due to a season-ending hamstring injury. In those eight starts he was having one of his worst performances of his career. He threw just 11 touchdowns to eight interceptions and had his second-lowest completion percentage (64.7%) ever. Dallas' lack offensive balance and WR depth contributed to his down season, but in order to get back to the postseason they need him to bounce-back and return to his 2023 form where he ended second in the MVP voting behind Ravens QB Lamar Jackson.
Minus Dak Prescott, having DaRon Bland have a bounce-back season could be the difference between reaching the postseason or not for the Cowboys. Bland had a historic 2023 season, making the Pro Bowl and becoming a First-team All-Pro after leading the NFL in INT's (9), five of which he returned for a touchdown. Sadly, things dropped off for him in 2024 due to a nagging foot injury that limited him to just seven games. Due to the questionable depth and injuries currently at CB, Dallas desperately needs his 2023 form.
Coming off the 2023 season, Jake Ferguson was arguably a Top 10 TE in the league and earned himself a Pro Bowl nomination. Expectations were high for Ferguson entering the 2024 season. Unfortunately, even though he started a total of 14 games, reoccurring nagging injuries caused his production to dip last year and puts somewhat of a worrisome outlook on things heading into 2025. If he can remain healthy this year though he should have a bounce-back season, especially with the CeeDee Lamb/George Pickens WR duo to help.