5 Cowboys Who Should See Reduced Roles in the 2025 NFL Season
The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2025 NFL season with high hopes, looking to make a Super Bowl run after several years of playoff appearances that ended in disappointment. With new coaching perspectives and an evolving roster, the team needs to make tough decisions regarding player roles to maximize its chances of success. While there are several key contributors who will likely maintain or even increase their responsibilities, there are some players who could see their roles reduced in 2025 due to a combination of declining performance, roster depth, and the need for younger players to step up.
Here are five Cowboys players who should see reduced roles in the upcoming season:
1. Tyron Smith (Offensive Tackle)
Tyron Smith, the long-time anchor of the Cowboys’ offensive line, has been one of the NFL’s best left tackles when healthy. However, injuries have significantly hampered his ability to stay on the field in recent years, making it difficult for the Cowboys to rely on him consistently. While he’s been an invaluable player for the Cowboys over the years, his decline in health and performance might warrant a reduced role in 2025.
Smith has missed 29 games over the past five seasons and has dealt with back and neck issues that have severely impacted his mobility and durability. The Cowboys have already begun to prepare for a future without Smith, as evidenced by their investments in younger tackles such as Tyler Smith and Terence Steele, who have shown great promise.
In 2025, the Cowboys should consider reducing Tyron Smith’s role, potentially limiting him to a backup or rotational spot. This would not only reduce the risk of further injury but also allow the younger players to gain experience and prepare for the long-term future of the offensive line.
2. Ezekiel Elliott (Running Back)
Ezekiel Elliott has been a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offense for years, but his production has steadily declined in recent seasons. In 2024, Elliott struggled to break out in key situations and was unable to replicate the same level of explosiveness and consistency that made him one of the league’s top running backs early in his career.
With the rise of Tony Pollard, who has proven to be a more effective option in recent years, it’s clear that Elliott is no longer the workhorse back he once was. Pollard’s speed and ability to create big plays make him the more viable option as the lead back, and Elliott’s role should be adjusted accordingly.
Elliott can still be valuable as a short-yardage back or a situational goal-line option, but it’s clear the Cowboys should reduce his workload significantly. This would allow Pollard to take over as the primary running back, while Elliott can contribute in a more limited and specialized capacity.
3. Brandin Cooks (Wide Receiver)
Brandin Cooks was acquired by the Cowboys in a trade with the Houston Texans prior to the 2024 season in hopes of providing an additional weapon in the passing game. However, while Cooks has been productive throughout his career, his first season in Dallas didn’t quite meet expectations. He struggled with consistency, especially in high-pressure moments, and was overshadowed by CeeDee Lamb, who became Dak Prescott’s go-to target.
With Cooks entering his age-31 season in 2025, the Cowboys should begin to look toward younger, more dynamic receivers who can step into bigger roles. Michael Gallup, while inconsistent at times, offers a physical presence and deep threat potential, and the Cowboys could look to continue developing other young receivers on their roster. Additionally, the emergence of a solid receiving corps that includes Lamb, Gallup, and potentially younger talent could further diminish Cooks’ involvement.
Cooks could be utilized in a reduced role as a complementary deep threat, but his days as a high-volume contributor should be behind him. The Cowboys need to begin grooming their future receiving core, and Cooks might not be a part of that long-term plan.
4. Leighton Vander Esch (Linebacker)
Leighton Vander Esch was once viewed as a rising star in the Cowboys’ defense, but his career has been marred by injuries that have caused him to miss significant time. Although Vander Esch has shown flashes of his previous form, the injuries have prevented him from consistently being the playmaking linebacker the Cowboys hoped he would be.
With younger linebackers like Micah Parsons continuing to develop into one of the league’s premier defensive players, and the addition of more depth to the linebacker corps, Vander Esch’s role should be reduced in 2025. The Cowboys have other options at linebacker, including players like Damone Clark and Jabril Cox, who have shown promise. These younger players could step up and take on a larger share of the snaps, allowing the Cowboys to limit Vander Esch’s exposure and reduce the risk of further injury.
While Vander Esch can still provide valuable depth and experience, it’s time for the Cowboys to move on from relying heavily on him in the starting lineup, especially as they continue to develop their younger defensive talent.
5. Donovan Wilson (Safety)
Donovan Wilson has been a key contributor to the Cowboys’ defense over the past few seasons, known for his physicality and ability to make impactful plays in the run game. However, Wilson’s coverage skills have often been inconsistent, and he has struggled in certain pass coverage situations, especially against faster, more elusive receivers and tight ends.
In 2025, the Cowboys should consider reducing Wilson’s role in favor of improving their coverage abilities at the safety position. The emergence of young players like Israel Mukuamu, who has shown strong ball skills and coverage abilities, provides the Cowboys with a viable option to take over more snaps. Additionally, the Cowboys may look to bring in new talent to shore up the safety position.
Wilson’s role could be reduced to that of a situational player, especially in run-heavy situations where his physicality is an asset. However, his lack of consistency in pass coverage makes him less reliable in passing situations, which is increasingly important in the modern NFL.