7 biggest disappointments for Dallas Cowboys in 2024 season

These 7 players were the biggest disappointments for the Dallas Cowboys during their 7-10 campaign.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The 2024 season was a frustrating one for the Dallas Cowboys. After winning 12 games in each of the past three seasons, they fell to 7-10.

They deserve credit for fighting back from a 3-7 start despite losing Dak Prescott, Trevon Diggs, and DeMarcus Lawrence for the season. They even had to navigate four games without Micah Parsons, who still managed to put up a monstrous season.

MORE: Micah Parsons sounds off on potential coaching changes, media questions

Not every player can say that, unfortunately. That being said, here's a look at the seven biggest disappointments for Dallas in 2024.

---

Tyler Guyton, OT

Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Guyton / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Dallas traded back in the first round and ended up with an extra pick in the third. They used those two selections to fill holes on the offensive line by adding Tyler Guyton at No. 29 and Cooper Beebe at No. 73.

Beebe was everything they could hope for but the same wasn’t true of Guyton. He struggled mightily as a rookie and was benched for Chuma Edoga and Asim Richards at different points in the season.

---

Ezekiel Elliott, RB

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Cowboys never should have brought Ezekiel Elliott back — especially with the expectation that he could be a starter. While they expected too much from him early in the season, Elliott should have at least been a serviceable short-yardage back.

He couldn’t even provide that, finishing with 226 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 3.1 per attempt. Elliott wasn’t even an ideal teammate, being suspended for one game and eventually, they released him for the second time in his career.

---

Markquese Bell, S

Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell / Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Dan Quinn helped turn Markquese Bell into a starter as a hybrid linebacker. In 2023, he had 94 tackles and while he wasn’t great against the run, he was as good in coverage as any linebacker.

Under Mike Zimmer, Bell moved back to safety but hardly made a sound. He ended the season on the IR, recording just six tackles in nine games.

---

Brandin Cooks, WR

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

It took Brandin Cooks several weeks to get rolling in 2023, but he finished with a respectable 657 yards and eight touchdowns on 54 receptions.

MORE: Updated 2025 NFL Draft order following Dallas Cowboys' season-ending loss

This year, Cooks went in the wrong direction and had just 26 receptions for 259 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games. He missed a lot of time due to a knee injury but never finished with more than 52 yards in a single game and was held under 20 in six .

---

Jake Ferguson, TE

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson / Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

Jake Ferguson was a breakout star in 2023 with 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl during that impressive sophomore campaign but wasn’t nearly as good in year three.

Ferguson missed three games, finishing with 494 yards on 59 receptions. He saw his average per catch drop from 10.7 to 8.4 and had no touchdown catches. He came close in Week 18, but was ultimately held out of the end zone all year.

---

DaRon Bland, CB

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) makes the game-winning touchdown catch over Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

After recording nine picks and five defensive touchdowns in 2023, DaRon Bland started the 2024 season on the IR. A stress fracture in his foot sidelined Bland for 10 games and when he returned, he showed signs of rust.

In seven games, Bland had zero interceptions and was targeted often in Week 18. He was even the player beaten for the game-winning touchdown from Terry McLaurin.

---

Dak Prescott, QB

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

It’s easy to say the Cowboys’ season ended when Dak Prescott got hurt but that’s not true. Even with Prescott under center, this team looked lost and overmatched in every game. They were 3-5 with Prescott, who struggled to get on the same page as CeeDee Lamb.

Prescott was also careless with the ball. Following an impressive season where he had nine interceptions in 17 games, he had eight in the eight games he played. After signing the most lucrative deal in NFL history, the Cowboys expected more from Dak.

— Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI —

4 takeaways from Cowboys' season-defining loss vs. Commanders

4 winners & 4 losers from Cowboys season finale loss to Washington

NFC East Power Rankings after Week 18: Summing up Cowboys stagnant season

Dallas Cowboys' top plays & highlights vs. Commanders Week 18

Updated 2025 NFL Draft order following Dallas Cowboys' season-ending loss

Cowboys Cheerleader gets crushed in the head by Brandon Aubrey kickoff