Relying on These Players Could Mean Trouble for the Cowboys in 2025
As the Dallas Cowboys look ahead to the 2025 season, expectations are sky-high. With a roster filled with talent on both sides of the ball, many are optimistic that the Cowboys could make a deep run in the playoffs, or even challenge for a Super Bowl. However, there are a few key players on the roster who, if relied upon too heavily in 2025, could cause significant issues for the team.
While it’s impossible to predict how each player will perform, the following individuals could be potential liabilities, whether due to injuries, inconsistency, or age. Depending too much on them could hinder the Cowboys’ ability to contend for a championship. Let’s take a closer look at these players and the potential trouble their reliance could create for the Cowboys in 2025.
1. Tyron Smith (Offensive Tackle)
For the past decade, Tyron Smith has been one of the top left tackles in the NFL, providing stability to the Cowboys’ offensive line and protecting the quarterback’s blind side. However, the reality is that Smith is no longer the player he once was. Injuries have plagued him over the past few seasons, including a torn ACL that forced him to miss most of 2023 and 2024. Even when he’s been on the field, the 33-year-old has shown signs of decline, particularly in his ability to stay healthy for a full season.
If the Cowboys continue to rely on Tyron Smith as their starting left tackle in 2025, they risk seeing a repeat of the struggles the offensive line has endured over the past few seasons. While Tyler Smith (no relation) has shown promise at left guard, the Cowboys’ offensive line could struggle if Tyron Smith continues to be the cornerstone of the unit. The Cowboys may need to start preparing for life without Tyron Smith as their anchor, even if that means investing in a new left tackle through the draft or free agency.
2. Ezekiel Elliott (Running Back)
While Ezekiel Elliott was once the face of the Cowboys’ offense and one of the league’s premier running backs, his performance has significantly declined over the past few seasons. The former 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year has failed to regain his elite form, and in 2024, he struggled with consistency, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry. As a result, the Cowboys turned more to Tony Pollard as their primary ball carrier, and Elliott became more of a complementary piece.
As Elliott enters the final stages of his career, his reliance as a starting running back could cause the Cowboys trouble in 2025. He is still capable of contributing in short-yardage situations or as a goal-line back, but his days as a true workhorse back appear to be over. If the Cowboys are too reliant on Elliott to carry the load in 2025, it could stunt Pollard’s growth and prevent the team from utilizing their backfield at its maximum potential. It may be time for the Cowboys to move on from Elliott and focus on a more explosive and dynamic option at running back to pair with Pollard.
3. Brandin Cooks (Wide Receiver)
After being traded to the Cowboys in 2024, Brandin Cooks showed flashes of his past brilliance but failed to become the consistent deep threat Dallas had hoped for. While Cooks is undoubtedly a talented wide receiver, he is now 31 years old, and injuries have started to take a toll on his career. With CeeDee Lamb firmly established as the Cowboys’ number one receiver, the team hoped Cooks would be a complementary piece who could stretch the field and open up opportunities for others.
However, Cooks’ 2024 performance raised doubts about his ability to be a true second option for the Cowboys in 2025. If Dallas continues to rely heavily on him as the number two receiver, they may struggle to find consistent production from the position. Cooks has shown a tendency to be inconsistent, and if he’s expected to take on a larger role in the offense, there’s a real risk that the Cowboys could be left without the depth they need at wide receiver. The Cowboys might want to look for a younger, more reliable option to pair with Lamb in 2025.
4. DeMarcus Lawrence (Edge Rusher)
DeMarcus Lawrence has been a key figure in the Cowboys’ defense for several years, contributing heavily as a pass rusher and leader. However, at 32 years old and coming off a less-than-dominant 2024 season, the question is whether Lawrence can still be relied upon as a primary pass-rushing threat in 2025. He finished 2024 with just 6 sacks, a decline from his peak seasons, and his impact on games appeared to be diminishing as time went on.
Lawrence is still a strong presence in the locker room and can provide leadership and veteran experience to the younger players on defense, but expecting him to continue producing at a high level as a primary pass rusher in 2025 may prove troublesome. If the Cowboys are depending on Lawrence for consistent pressure, they could be setting themselves up for disappointment. The Cowboys need to start looking for younger, more explosive edge rushers to pair with Micah Parsons, who should be the focal point of the pass rush moving forward.
5. Dak Prescott (Quarterback)
While Dak Prescott is the leader of the Cowboys’ offense and undoubtedly talented, there are questions about whether he can be relied upon to take the team to the next level in 2025. Prescott has consistently posted solid statistics, but his performances in big games—particularly in the playoffs—have left much to be desired. His tendency to struggle in clutch moments has been a concern for the Cowboys’ front office and fans alike.
While Dak’s leadership and skills are undeniable, the Cowboys need him to elevate his play in 2025, especially in crucial games. If the Cowboys are too reliant on Prescott to carry the team without making the necessary upgrades around him, they risk not maximizing their full potential. The Cowboys’ coaching staff will need to ensure that Prescott is in the right mental and physical state to lead the team through adversity, but relying solely on him without surrounding him with the right pieces could spell trouble for the Cowboys in 2025.
6. Malik Hooker (Safety)
Malik Hooker was expected to bring stability to the Cowboys’ secondary after joining the team in 2021, but injuries have continued to limit his impact. Despite flashes of solid play, Hooker has not been able to consistently stay on the field or perform at a high level. As a safety, Hooker is supposed to be the last line of defense, but if the Cowboys continue to rely on him as a starter, it could be a vulnerability in their defense.
The safety position is one that needs to be upgraded in the 2025 offseason. Whether Hooker can stay healthy or if the Cowboys need to find a more reliable option in the draft or free agency, the team cannot afford to put all of their faith in a player who has been inconsistent and injury-prone. If Hooker remains the starting safety in 2025, it could lead to trouble for the Cowboys, especially against teams with high-powered passing attacks.