Cowboys Players Who Won't Live Up to Hype in 2022 Season

The Dallas Cowboys are no stranger to hype. As one of the most popular teams in the league, "America's Team" is always in the spotlight.

The same goes for the players on the team. Coming to Dallas means signing up to be under the microscope. It also means that some players might have higher expectations that they are bound to fall short of.

That's the case for more than one player on the roster this season.

The Cowboys lost several familiar names this offseason. Randy Gregory, Amari Cooper and La'el Collins will all be donning different colors in 2022. That leaves plenty of players who are going to be expected to carry the torch for Dallas.

Here are a few who will fall short in their new roles.

WR James Washington

David Eulitt/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 16: James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

With Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson Jr. gone, the Dallas Cowboys receiving corps will be reconfigured. The team tried to rebuild around CeeDee Lamb on a budget this offseason and brought in James Washington and drafted Jalen Tolbert.

Third-round pick Tolbert is going to need to be a contributor. Betting on Washington to be better than his time in Pittsburgh is not a wise investment.

Washington never blossomed beyond being a spotty deep threat for the Steelers. He peaked in 2019 when he averaged 9.2 yards per target, but even then he required a large target share (80) just to get to 44 catches and 735 yards with just three touchdowns.

The 26-year-old is getting an upgrade at quarterback. Dak Prescott at this stage of his career is much better than the version of Ben Roethlisberger that Washington has been playing with.

Still, Washington was not able to build on that 2019 season.

He'll have an opportunity to carve out a significant role in Dallas. Tolbert is still the better bet to take over as the No. 3 receiver behind Lamb and Michael Gallup.

Edge Dante Fowler Jr.

AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (6) defends during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Here's another example of the Cowboys utilizing a veteran free agent and a draft pick to try to replace an important piece from last year's team.

The Cowboys lost Randy Gregory to the Denver Broncos. Now, they'll rely on Dante Fowler Jr. and second-round pick Sam Williams to replace his production.

Again, the rookie is probably a better bet to make an impact.

Fowler has had multiple chances to realize his potential as a former No. 3 overall selection. Unfortunately, he only looked the part in 2019 when he posted 11.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits.

Of course, having Aaron Donald on the inside and Clay Matthews on the opposite end helped the pass-rusher maximize his opportunities.

Fowler has been underwhelming before and after that season. He combined for just 7.5 sacks over the past two seasons, including just three in the one season he played for Dan Quinn for the first five games of the 2020 season.

Williams—on the other hand—was probably underdrafted based only on his on-field performance. He posted 12.5 sacks in his final season with Ole Miss, but his draft stock was likely hurt by a 2020 arrest on a felony sexual battery charge.

The rookie could easily wind up taking the defensive end spot opposite DeMarcus Lawrence when Micah Parsons is playing in his linebacker position, leaving Fowler to a smaller role than anticipated.

G/T Tyler Smith

AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth

Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith (73) jogs to the next drill during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Frisco, Texas, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

There's a lot of pressure that comes with being a first-round pick. There's a lot of pressure that comes with being a Dallas Cowboy. Tyler Smith has the distinction of dealing with the attention that comes from being both.

The Cowboys used the 24th pick in the draft on the 6'4", 324-pounder out of Tulsa.

His long-term prospects as the heir apparent to Tyron Smith at left tackle are good. Smith is a powerful run blocker with a thick frame and a demonstrated ability to drive defenders off the ball.

Expecting him to hit the ground running as a starter from Week 1 might be asking a bit much, though.

Smith has a lot to clean up. Much like Connor Williams last season, Smith is capable of good play, but he has a tendency to draw flags. He was penalized 16 times in his final season at Tulsa.

He's one of the youngest prospects in the draft class and will only be 21 this season. There's plenty of time for him to develop into an NFL tackle, but for now, his pass-blocking technique needs work.

There could be more growing pains than fans are going to want to see in Year 1.