Bold Predictions for Cowboys' Individual Stat Leaders in 2022 NFL Season

With the 2022 NFL preseason complete and the cutdown to 53 players due Tuesday, the Dallas Cowboys are putting the finishing touches on their 2022 roster. We'll soon get a very clear idea of how that roster shapes up.

Naturally, this makes it a perfect time for a little statistical prognostication.

However, we're going to take an unconventional approach here—and have a little fun along the way—by making bold predictions about Dallas' statistical leaders in 2022.

It's not a stretch to say that Dak Prescott will lead the team in passing yards. If he doesn't, there's a serious problem. Instead, we'll make more specific predictions about what Prescott and other projected stat leaders will accomplish this season.

Ready for a few bold predictions? Let's go.

Dak Prescott Will Return to the Pro Bowl

Dak Prescott hasn't been to the Pro Bowl since the 2018 season. (Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)

OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 09: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during training camp at River Ridge Fields on August 09, 2022 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)

The Cowboys signed Prescott to a four-year, $160 million extension last offseason, signaling their belief in him as a franchise quarterback. While Prescott has indeed been well above average, he hasn't been to the Pro Bowl since the 2018 season.

Two years ago, of course, Prescott missed the bulk of the season with a fractured and dislocated ankle. Last year, though, he missed only one game and finished with 4,449 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Prescott wasn't even a Pro Bowl alternate. Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson were named alternates behind Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Kyler Murray.

Expect Prescott to return to the Pro Bowl this season while overcoming a few obstacles. He'll be working with a receiving corps that no longer includes Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson Jr. He'll also be behind a line that parted with La'el Collins and Connor Williams and just lost left tackle Tyron Smith to an avulsion fracture.

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Smith isn't expected back until at least December.

However, Prescott is also further removed from the injury and hired a trainer in the offseason to help him reach peak physical condition. Dallas could see the best version of Prescott it has seen yet.

"[Prescott] was probably the team’s biggest offensive standout during the offseason work," Jon Machota of The Athletic wrote. "He appeared to be in great shape and moving as well, if not better, than at any other time during his NFL career."

Prescott will have another fine season and, with the difficulty factor considered, will earn the respect of Pro Bowl voters once again.

Stat Prediction: 4,787 passing yards, 35 TDs, 7 INTs, 300 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs

Tony Pollard Will Out-Produce Ezekiel Elliott

Expect big things from RB Tony Pollard this season. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 02: Tony Pollard #20 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at AT&T Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Cowboys have made it clear that they still believe in Ezekiel Elliott as their leading ball-carrier. However, No. 2 back Tony Pollard will see his fair share of playing time.

"He has to be the focal point," franchise owner Jerry Jones said of Elliott on NFL Network. "There is room for Pollard while Zeke is in there."

While we're not predicting Pollard to overtake Elliott as Dallas' leading rusher, the bold prediction here is that Pollard will outpace him in scrimmage yards. The split was relatively close a season ago.

In 2021, Elliott tallied 1,002 rushing yards and 1,289 scrimmage yards. Pollard had only 719 rushing yards but 1,056 scrimmage yards. This season, he appears poised for a bigger role in the passing game.

Dallas has worked with Pollard as a slot receiver this offseason and examined other ways to put the ball in his hands.

"It's another opportunity for him to expand that role and play in some different positions, out in space and some of the things that certainly he's capable of doing," offensive coordinator Kellen Moore explained, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

The Cowboys may have to rely on Pollard as a pass-catcher early this season. Cooper and Wilson are gone, Michael Gallup is still recovering from last year's torn ACL, and free-agent acquisition James Washington could miss up to 10 weeks with a foot fracture.

Pollard won't challenge to be the team's leading receiver—our prediction is that CeeDee Lamb takes that crown—but he should be a big factor. And with a more prominent receiving role, Pollard will finish with more yards than Elliott in 2022.

Stat Predictions:

Elliott: 1,049 rushing yards, 255 receiving yards, 7 combined TDs

Pollard: 805 rushing yards, 560 receiving yards, 6 combined TDs

Micah Parson Will Win Defensive Player of the Year

Expect LB Micah Parsons to add to his trophy case this season. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys defends against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL wild-card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Linebacker Micah Parsons took home plenty of accolades during his rookie campaign last season. The Penn State product led the Cowboys in sacks, was named to the Pro Bowl, was a first-team All-Pro selection and was the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In all, Parsons tallied 13.0 sacks, ranked second on the team with 84 tackles and tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles. He also had an impressive 47 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Reference.

The prediction here is that Parsons adds to his hardware collection by winning 2022 Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was close last season, finishing second in voting behind Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt.

Watt had a record-tying 22.5 sacks in 2021 and was the logical choice.

In 2022, it will be Parsons' versatility that earns him the ultimate individual defensive honor. He's certainly talented as a pass-rusher, but we expect him to thrive in other areas this season.

While Parsons has his sights set on the record now shared by Watt and Michael Strahan, we expect him to shine in categories like tackles, tackles for loss and interceptions—he's still looking for his first career pick.

In fact, the prediction here is that Parsons passes safety Jayron Kearse as the team's leading tackler.

Stat Prediction: 102 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 3 FF, 3 INTs, 1 TD