Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys running back Dalvin Cook was not elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game versus the Cleveland Browns. As a result, he won't play in Week 1. This backfield belongs to some combination of Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, and with Cook off the roster, Deuce Vaughn will operate as the No. 3 running back. Elliott and Dowdle are the only Cowboys backs on the fantasy roster; they are both RB3/FLEX options.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb gained an extra 10 to 12 points during the offseason. He "looks jacked and [is] in really good shape," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Fresh off his contract extension, Lamb is active for Week 1 and expected to have a full workload. He'll continue to catch passes from Dak Prescott, who was also rewarded with a lucrative new deal on Sunday morning. Even against a solid Browns defense, Lamb remains a high-end WR1 for fantasy purposes.

The Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott are finalizing a four-year, $240 million extension with $231 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The deal comes less than five hours before Dallas opens its season on the road against the Cleveland Browns. Prescott led the Cowboys to a 12-5 record last year, completing 69.5 percent of his passes for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He has continued to support major production from his wide receiver group, headlined by CeeDee Lamb. Lamb inked an extension last week, so Dallas has officially locked up its star receiver-quarterback duo through 2028. Lamb remains a high-end WR1 in fantasy football while Prescott is a mid-to-low QB1.

Dallas Cowboys running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle are expected to operate on a "pretty even split" of touches out of the backfield on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It sounds like both players will have significant roles as the Cowboys open their season against the Cleveland Browns. Elliott is a veteran with more starting experience and he's coming off a solid campaign with the New England Patriots in which he tallied 955 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Dowdle offers youth and is ready to take on an expanded role after totaling 505 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. Unfortunately, if each player is only expected to see around 10-15 touches, it could be difficult for them to have a lot of fantasy value, especially against a solid Browns defensive front. Both should be viewed as RB3/flex options this week.

The Dallas Cowboys have officially activated wide receiver CeeDee Lamb from the exempt list, and he is set to play on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns in the season opener. Lamb had been holding out before signing a four-year, $136 million contract extension, which includes a record $38 million signing bonus for wide receivers and $100 million guaranteed. His $34 million annual average makes him the second-highest-paid receiver, trailing only Justin Jefferson of the Vikings. Lamb was placed on the commissioner's exempt list while the Cowboys utilized a two-game roster exemption, which allowed them to keep a roster spot open as Lamb worked to get back into form after missing most of training camp. As Lamb returns for this challenging matchup against the strong Browns defense, he will have had limited preparation. Although he remains a must-start in fantasy leagues, it's wise to temper expectations for Week 1 as he shakes off the rust.