Cowboys post-draft roster review: Specialists

Here is a look at the state of the Cowboys specialists group. 

In our finale of the roster review series, we take one last look at a small, yet very integral part of the roster. One could make the case that the Dallas Cowboys have one of the league’s best combinations of specialists at kicker, punter, and returner. Under John Fassel, the Cowboys were one of the more potent and unpredictable special teams units in the NFL. From trick plays to practically trick-shot field goals, the Cowboys special teams units have been one of the more exciting ones we’ve seen. With Fassel elsewhere, will the aggressive philosophies stay the same? That will be determined. However, the talent is still there. Here’s what the Cowboys have on special teams.

Brandon Aubrey, Kicker

Brandon Aubrey has been the closest thing to automatic since coming to Dallas. When Aubrey first signed with the team, he battled competition from Tristan Vizcaino and didn’t showcase his exceptional distance kicking in training camp. However, Aubrey quickly proved himself and seemingly overnight became one of the top kickers in the NFL. In his first NFL season, he set several NFL records. Here are just a few:

• Most consecutive field goals made to start a career: 36 (2023)
• Most field goals made of 50+ yards without a miss in a single season: 10 (2023)
• Most kickoffs for touchbacks in a single season: 99 (2023)
• Highest field goal percentage by a rookie in a single season: 94.7% (2023)

His distance kicking and accuracy make the Cowboys a threat to score any time they come close to midfield. Last season, Aubrey made the second-longest field in NFL history, casually converting a 65-yard field goal versus the Baltimore Ravens. Because of his instant proficiency, Aubrey has been named a Pro Bowl in each of his first two NFL seasons and earned All-Pro honors in those years.

Bryan Anger, Punter

Known for his booming leg, Anger has the distinction of being the sixth-highest-drafted punter of all time. (third round, 70th overall in 2012). Anger now enters his fifth season with Dallas, the longest tenure with an NFL club in his career. Anger has put up the best years of his career in Dallas, earning his first two career trips to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team in 2021 and 2023 respectively. Last season, Anger saw a slight decrease in his yards per punt and net yards per punt, so there is a bit of a concern that the 13-year pro is a losing a little power in his punts. However, the club felt confident in a return to form for Anger enough to give him a two-year, $6.4M contract.

KaVontae Turpin, Return Specialist

KaVontae Turpin, like Aubrey, also joined the team from the USFL and has been exactly what the Cowboys needed as a return specialist. Not since Dwayne Harris have the Cowboys had a kick returner that can change the game at a moment’s notice. Turpin, having run a 4.31 40-yard dash at his pro day, has blazing speed and with a sliver of room can take it the distance. Turpin planted his flag early after joining the Cowboys, returning not one, but two kicks for touchdowns in 2022 during a preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. His first year with the Cowboys was enough to earn him a trip to the Pro Bowl but last year, Turpin was at his best.

He led the NFL with 904 kick return yards and had the highest return average at 33.5. While there is some room for Turpin to contribute more in the offense whether it be as a runner or a receiver, the foundation of his role on the team centers around his terrific return ability. He’ll be around for the foreseeable future after signing a three-year, $13.5M contract this past offseason.

Trent Sieg, Long Snapper

Trent Sieg signed with the Cowboys in 2023. Around this time, Dallas was making a transition at long snapper after longtime snapper LP Ladouceur had left after the 2020 season and Jake McQuaide, reuniting with Fassel, held the position from 2021-2022. Before joining the Cowboys, success followed Sieg wherever he went. While with the Las Vegas Raiders, kicker Daniel Carlson set a franchise season record with a 94.1 field goal percentage on snaps from Sieg in 2018. The next season, punter A.J. Cole set rookie club records for punting average, net average, and punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Sieg must be good luck because the trend seems to continue in Dallas.