7 key players that will determine the Cowboys’ 2024 season

In what could likely be a make or break year for several faces here are the players that could determine how well Dallas preforms in 2024

Oct 23, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) reacts during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

With the start of the training camp next week, the Dallas Cowboys are aiming for a fresh start and to move beyond the bitter end of 2023. The Cowboys will aim for their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. To achieve this, they will need to rely on certain players, including a few newcomers, to perform at a high level. 

Let's take a look at the seven key players who could determine the outcome of the Cowboys' 2024 season.

DT Mazi Smith 

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith (58) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Kicking off our list is second-year defensive tackle Mazi Smith.

In the 2023 NFL Draft, Smith was chosen 26th overall, becoming the first defensive tackle that Dallas had drafted in the first round since Russell Maryland in 1991. The Cowboys were hopeful that Smith would provide depth in the middle and help create opportunities for other players. Unfortunately, the rookie from Michigan had a disappointing first season, ending with just 13 tackles, three pressures, and one sack.

However, it’s never fair to judge a player based on just one season, and returning defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer mentioned this offseason the ‘ideal’ plan he has for getting Smith on track. 

After losing Jonathon Hankins and Neville Gallimore in free agency, the Cowboys are hoping that Zimmer's plan will work for the 6-foot-3-inch, 328-pound defensive tackle. The defense will rely on Smith to step up on the inside even more.

LB Eric Kendricks 

Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) enters the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If there's one player on defense who might be asked to step up more than others, it's the veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks.

After Mike Zimmer was hired, signing Kendricks made sense because it would give Zimmer a player who was familiar with his defensive system in Minnesota. At 32, Kendricks is coming off a highly productive season for the Chargers, recording 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 7 QB hits.

Following Leighton Vander Esch’s retirement, the Cowboys were left with a giant hole in the middle of their defense. Dallas will look to Kendricks early on to fill in that hole and help execute Zimmer’s defensive game plan. 

Cowboys Eric Kendricks is a sneaky GIGANTIC signing. Let’s talk about it!#CowboysNation pic.twitter.com/xCb0Ihp9ph

— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) March 14, 2024

CBs Trevon Diggs & DaRon Bland

Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

As we all know the NFL is a passing league and the Cowboys will face off against some of the top passers and pass catchers this season.

This puts pressure on cornerbacks Trevon Diggs, who is returning from an Achilles injury, and DaRon Bland to maintain their status as one of the top cornerback duos in the league. As All-Pro corners, they have been great at intercepting the football, with a combined total of 32 interceptions, 72 pass deflections, and seven pick-sixes.

This season will be a great test for the duo as they will face talented receivers such as Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Jamar Chase, Tee Higgins, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Mike Evans, Amari Cooper, Deebo Samuel, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

As Terrell Owens used to say, 'Get your popcorn ready.'

OT Tyler Guyton

Oct 28, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Tyler Guyton (60) at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas Jayhawks during the game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most prominent players to watch on the Cowboys this season, and the only rookie on this list.

Tyler Guyton, the offensive tackle whom Dallas selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, will have big shoes to fill after the departure of future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith, who left to sign with the New York Jets in free agency. 

Perhaps nothing is more crucial for a quarterback than protection from the blindside, which was never a concern for the Cowboys when Smith was on the team.

This season, the 6-foot-8, 328-pound tackle will face tough challenges from elite edge rushers throughout the Cowboys' schedule, such as Aidan Hutchinson from Detroit, T.J. Watt from Pittsburgh, and Nick Bosa from San Francisco.

If Guyton lives up to his potential, the Cowboys' left side of the offensive line will be secure for years to come. 

K Brandon Aubrey 

Nov 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) kicks a field goal against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

It was a historic year, to say the least, for Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who, in his rookie season, finished 36/38 with a long of 60 yards and finished his first season in the NFL leading the league in scoring with 157 points.

Aubrey began his NFL career by making a record-setting 35 consecutive field goals. This led to a Pro Bowl appearance and earning First-team All-Pro honors.

Moving forward, consistency is essential, which Dallas has lacked at the kicker position for some time.

With matchups against the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Houston Texans, having a reliable kicker could be crucial in these highly anticipated games.

QB Dak Prescott 

Dec 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the first half against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not a season to make determinations without the team's leader. The pressure may be higher on quarterback Dak Prescott than ever as he enters the final year of his contract.

Last season was a standout year for the former 2016 fourth-round pick. Prescott finished 2023 with a league-leading 36 touchdown passes, 4,516 passing yards, just nine interceptions, and career highs in completion percentage (69.5%) and completions (410). The end result was a third career Pro Bowl appearance, 2nd-Team All-Pro selection, and a 2nd place finish in MVP voting.

Unfortunately, the lack of postseason success haunts the 9th year signal caller. In his first eight seasons, Prescott posted a disappointing 2-5 postseason record and never made it past the divisional round.

The Cowboys can certainly expect Prescott to have an impact in the regular season. However, their main challenge will be finding and maintaining success in January football. If not, will 2024 be the last year in which Prescott leads America's Team? Only time will tell.

New Uniforms: It’s time for the Dallas Cowboys to unveil new uniforms

Jerry: Cowboys contract predictions could force Jerry Jones to tap out

2025 look ahead: 7 areas where Cowboys could regress statistically in 2024 

Cowgirls: Meet Kelcey Wetterberg: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader

Cowgirls: Meet Sophy Laufer: Star of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Netflix doc