Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle may be the best running back on the Cowboys roster, but he's still a very risky play in fantasy lineups in Week 1. While Dowdle could and likely will end up being the top fantasy running back in Dallas by the end of the season, it may take a few weeks for him to build up steam and work his way into a full starting role. With veterans Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook in the way for now, Dowdle will be little more than a flex play with slight upside against the Browns in Week 1.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott faces a tough matchup in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. Prescott was excellent last season, finishing as the overall fantasy QB4 for the season and the overall QB1 in fantasy points per game from Week 6 on. With a similar supporting cast of pass catchers this year, Prescott should once again be a solid fantasy contributor, although Week 1 will be one of his toughest challenges, as the Browns secondary allowed the fourth-fewest points to opposing quarterbacks last season. Dak remains a QB1 option, but he's on the lower end of that ranking for this week.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said on Wednesday that the team is still watching the repetitions with star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in practice adding that "we're building up to Sunday." Lamb was most likely the top receiver to come off the board in most fantasy drafts, so if he's active in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as is expected, he needs to be in all starting lineups. The 25-year-old remains on the commissioner's exempt list after holding out for all of training camp and the preseason, but he and the Cowboys were able to agree on a four-year, $136 million contract extension last week. While Lamb is always a must-start when he's active, there's obvious bust potential out of the gates after he missed so much practice time with the team this summer. The former 17th overall pick in 2020 has three straight 1,000-yard seasons and led the league in 2023 with 135 receptions.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that quarterback Cooper Rush will be Dak Prescott's backup to start the 2024 season, with Trey Lance sticking as the QB3 in Dallas. Lance pretty much sealed his fate as the No. 3 QB to enter the season after throwing five interceptions in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, although he did also throw for 323 yards and a touchdown while going for a team-high 90 rushing yards and an additional score on 11 carries. The 24-year-old former first-rounder by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 has plenty of athleticism, but he's still in the developmental phase for the Cowboys as they attempt to improve his game with the potential of losing Prescott after this season. Lance should only be rostered in dynasty/keeper leagues and deep superflex formats in 2024.

The Athletic's Jon Machota writes that Dallas Cowboys second-year wide receiver Jalen Brooks could be ready for a much bigger role in 2024 behind receivers CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks and tight end Jake Ferguson. Brooks and quarterback Dak Prescott showed good chemistry throughout training camp this summer, particularly on the deep ball. One of Brooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin or Ryan Flournoy will likely be an important No. 4 pass-catcher for the Cowboys this year, and Brooks might have the best shot to be that guy for this team. The 24-year-old former seventh-round selection last year out of South Carolina played in seven games in his rookie season and caught all six of his targets for 64 yards without finding the end zone. As of right now with the start of the regular season just days away, Brooks is merely one to watch in most fantasy leagues.