Dallas Cowboys DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert was targeted six times in Sunday's 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders. The third-year receiver secured four receptions for 98 yards, leading the team in both categories. Tolbert wrapped up the 2024 campaign with career highs across all metrics, as he grabbed 45 receptions for 512 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. The 25-year-old still has a year remaining on his rookie contract and will likely stick around as the Cowboys' WR3 going into 2025.

Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn acted as the team's RB2 on Sunday in the 23-19 loss to Washington following the release of running back Ezekiel Elliott. Vaughn rushed six times for 37 yards, spelling Rico Dowdle. The 5-foot-6 running back looked solid, cranking out a team-long 12-yard carry among his six rush attempts. Vaughn will look to earn a larger role going into next season as Dowdle is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the spring.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance was under center on Sunday as a starting quarterback for the first time since Week 2 of 2022. The inexperienced signal caller had a solid day, completing 20-of-34 passes for 244 yards and carrying the ball six times for 26 yards. Lance played well but struggled to convert in the red zone, with four drives ending in field goals and one ending as a turnover on downs. On the first quarter drive where Dallas failed to convert on fourth down, Lance missed running back Rico Dowdle in the end zone on what should have been an easy pass. The Cowboys ultimately fell 23-19 to the Commanders, but Lance put together a solid audition as he is slated to hit free agency in the spring.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle rushed 22 times for 72 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's Week 18 loss to the Washington Commanders. He also caught two of his three targets for an additional 12 yards through the air. Dowdle was quite impressive throughout the 2024 season, supplanting Ezekiel Elliott as the Cowboys' undisputed No. 1 running back. He finished the campaign with 1,079 rushing yards, 249 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns through 16 games, ranking as a low-end RB2 in fantasy football. There has been plenty of speculation that the Cowboys could take an aggressive approach with their pursuit of a running back this offseason, such as drafting Ashton Jeanty. However, there's also a real possibility they feel confident in Dowdle and don't take as big of a swing for a backfield addition within the upcoming months. The 26-year-old currently still has appeal as a mid-range RB3 option heading into the 2025 campaign, and until Dallas brings in competition, this backfield belongs to Dowdle.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance will start against the Washington Commanders in Week 18, according to insider Patrik Walker. Cooper Rush, who tallied 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions while filling in for Dak Prescott (hamstring), heads to the bench for Sunday's season finale. This move is not a reflection of Rush's performance but rather gives the Cowboys an opportunity to get extra game film on Lance as they continue to evaluate the quarterback position going forward. Both Rush and Lance are free agents in March, and it's likely that Dallas will only keep one (or zero) of them as Prescott's backup in 2025. In the short-term, Lance, a former No. 3 overall pick, gets a chance to showcase his talents against a Commanders team that intends to play all of its starters. The ex-49er has just 22 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception through limited action in 2024. He ranks as a mid-to-high QB3 in Week 18 with some extra upside thanks to his rushing ability.