Which Cowboys players are you expecting to have big days on Sunday?
Every NFL week brings a new set of strengths, weaknesses, and matchups from your opponent. As we go through this season, some games will set certain players up for success while making things far more challenging for others. As Dallas gets ready to tangle with the New Orleans Saints, how do these factors impact certain Cowboys?
Last week’s games didn’t give us much to go on for either team. The Cowboys were up 20-3 by halftime against Cleveland and the Saints’ win over Carolina was even more lopsided. It’s hard enough trying to gauge teams in September and Week 1 did little to help clarify things.
Still, some things can push us in one direction or the other with specific players. Here are some Cowboys we’re buying and selling going into Week 2.
BUY
WR CeeDee Lamb
Despite his late arrival after a contract holdout and Dallas going conservative in the second half, Lamb still came out of Cleveland with five catches for 61 yards. He was targeted 10 times in the game, and Lamb and Dak Prescott usually connect about 70-75% of the time when Prescott looks his way. We expect things to be more cohesive against New Orleans, especially with Saints CB Marshon Lattimore potentially missing the game due to a hamstring injury. Also, if Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson is out with his knee issue or even just slowed, that should ramp up Lamb’s opportunities.
Cowboys RBs
Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle may not have gone off against the Browns but that was the NFL’s top defense a year ago. Meanwhile, the Saints have ranked 24th and 22nd against the run the last two seasons. As long as the Cowboys win in the trenches, which they have a strong chance of this week, it should lead to relatively solid RB production. Zeke looked spry enough in Cleveland to still do damage if the blocking is there.
LB DeMarvion Overshown
Overshown has a good chance to build on last week’s outstanding debut. The Saints rely on speed with their offensive weapons and Overshown has already put the league on notice about his athleticism. You can expect him to be focused on RB Alvin Kamara throughout the game, which should lead to a lot of tackles and opportunities to shine.
SELL
CB Caelen Carson
The rookie starter did well in his first game but will face a much tougher test this week. Derek Carr has been a very efficient passer over the last few years and has weapons who can burn you deep. We expect to see Carson on the bad end of at least a couple of big plays as he continues his NFL orientation.
TE Luke Schoonmaker
If Ferguson is out, we expect Prescott to lean more on his wide receivers and other options than to increase targets to Schoonmaker. New Orleans has a solid duo of safeties in Tyrann Mathieu and Will Harris, which should further reduce throws to the tight ends. Hopefully, Schoonmaker maximizes what balls do come his way and earns more trust. But in what could be a close game, Dallas will probably focus on its more proven assets.
