Dallas Cowboys: 25 Best Players in Franchise History

It goes without saying that the Dallas Cowboys have had an illustrious history since joining the NFL in 1960, but fiery debates are always sparked whenever all-time player rankings are made.

Never an easy task, things like statistics, how long the player played for Dallas and his overall memorability comes into play when trying to assign numbers to these decorated athletes. All on the list enjoyed some amount of success while in Big D, but the individual contributions of the player have a fair share of weight in creating these rankings as well.

Cowboys fans, have your hands firmly on your keyboards, because here are the top 25 Dallas Cowboys players of all-time.

25. Terrell Owens

The newest addition to the Allen Wranglers had three up-and-down years wearing the Dallas star, but nobody can take away what his presence did for the offense and the numbers he put up during his brief tenure.

T.O. set the team's single-season receiving touchdown back in 2007 with 15 end zone grabs, and he developed an undeniable chemistry with quarterback Tony Romo.

He was named to the Pro Bowl that season for Dallas and never had less than 1,000 yards receiving while suiting up for the Cowboys.

24. Tony Romo

Say what you want about Tony Romo's lack of playoff success, but without him the franchise would still be swimming in the pool of mediocrity that began during the declining years of Troy Aikman's career.

The Eastern Illinois alum has been attacking the Cowboys' record books since taking over for Drew Bledsoe back in 2006, notably holding the record for most single-season touchdown and completions.

Romo has been named to thee Pro Bowls, and while Dallas fans still want to see that deep playoff run and hopefully a Super Bowl victory out of their current starting quarterback, he has brought the franchise back to relevance after the dark days of the early 2000s.

23. Jim Jeffcoat

Lost in all the glory of the Dallas Cowboys historic 1990s run is the contributions of defensive linemen not named Charles Haley. Jim Jeffcoat was a solid defensive end that had double-digit sacks in four of his eight seasons for Big D.

While Jeffcoat might not be getting the call to Canton, Ohio or the Cowboys' Ring of Honor in the near future, his contributions to those Super Bowl winning teams cannot be denied. He played in every single regular season game while with America's Team, providing consistency at his position in a sport that frequently sees key players go down with injuries every year.

22. Nate Newton

Former Dallas Cowboys guard Nate Newton may never be able to escape his drug-ridden past, but that doesn't mean he isn't one of the greatest linemen the team has ever taken the field.

He represented the 'Boys in six Pro Bowl games and played in almost 200 games for the franchise during his 12 years spent in Dallas.

Like many of his teammates, Newton was colorful and charismatic, but he never let his rowdy off-the-field lifestyle distract him from helping his team win football games and achieve NFL immortality during the '90s.

21. Deion Sanders

It's not often the term "journeyman" is used as a compliment in sports, but Deion Sanders was an NFL nomad, improving every team he ever suited up for. Dallas was no exception, as the All-Pro cornerback electrified the defensive secondary during his five seasons with the franchise.

While it's true that the man known as "Prime Time" never won a Super Bowl ring during his Dallas tenure, he was the true definition of a shutdown corner for those '90s squads, and never posted a season with less than two interceptions while donning the star on his helmet.

20. DeMarcus Ware

While Tony Romo does deserve a fair amount of credit for the Cowboys' recent success, DeMarcus Ware has earned some of that praise as well.

While Romo leads the offense, Ware is the unquestioned leader for the team on defense. His presence alone leads to many one-on-one scenarios for other players due to the amount of double-teams he draws, yet he continues to contend for the highest NFL sack total each season.

D-Ware has posted double-digit sack totals in every season except his rookie year for Dallas, just a half-sack shy of reaching 100 on his career.

19. Danny White

Cowboys quarterback Danny White has never been the most loved or celebrated in franchise history, but like Tony Romo he helped the franchise remain relevant after the departure of a legend.

White took over as Dallas' starter when Roger Staubach retired, leading the team to multiple NFC Championship berths throughout the 1980s.

He also knew how to make the box score look pretty, setting the franchise record for passing touchdowns at 29 until Romo claimed that achievement in 2007.

18. Larry Allen

NFL fans constantly give credit to players like Peyton Manning and Brett Favre for rarely missing a game due to injury, and the same credit should be given to former Dallas guard Larry Allen.

Allen was around for the tail end of the Cowboys' 1990s dominance and continued to start every regular season game for his team except for 2002. That season he suffered the only injury that caused him to miss significant time while with Big D.

The California-born Cowboy was recently inducted into the team's Ring of Honor this past November against the Seattle Seahawks. Allen is easily one of, if not the most decorated linemen in Dallas history, with an astounding 10 Pro Bowl and seven All-Pro selections while with the team.

17. Jason Witten

The current incarnation of the Dallas Cowboys can be accurately described as inconsistent, but just make sure you put a Jason Witten-sized asterisk next to that statement.

The 2003 third-round draft pick has been the most consistent member on the roster since his arrival, posting seven straight Pro Bowl selections from 2004-2010 and gaining over 900 receiving yards in six of his eight NFL seasons.

In less than a decade, Witten has marked his place in tight end history, already ranked third all time in receptions by a TE.

Witten is everything owner Jerry Jones could imagine a Cowboy to be. He's talented, productive, consistent and a class act. The Tennessee alum represents the star as good as anybody in that organization.

16. Daryl Johnston

Everything I just finished saying about Jason Witten can be directly applied to former Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston.

Remember how this past offseason Houston Texan fans were wondering how much Arian Foster would miss Vonta Leach? The answer I usually gave was "about as much as Emmitt Smith missed Johnston."

The man they call "Moose" paved the way for the NFL's all-time leading rusher to earn that title, and has been regarded as one of the best fullbacks of his era. Unfortunately, like several of his teammates, the three-time Super Bowl champion had to leave the game early due to a career-ending injury.

Still, Moose spent his entire career with Big D and Smith made it clear to No. 48 after breaking Walter Payton's all time rushing record that he "couldn't have done it without [him]."

15. "Bullet" Bob Hayes

The Dallas Cowboys have been fortunate to have a few players glorify the No. 22 during their time with the team, and wide receiver "Bullet" Bob Hayes was the first to do so.

Hayes was drafted by Dallas in just the franchise's fifth year of existence, and boy did that pick pay off. Hayes would post 900 or more receiving yards in six of his nine years with the team as well as five seasons with double-digit touchdowns.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection was a natural on the football field as well as the track. To this day, "Bullet" is the only man to ever win an Olympic Gold medal (which he earned in the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games) and a Super Bowl ring.

Hayes was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, seven years after he passed away.

14. Don Meredith

The late great Don Meredith was one of the first Dallas Cowboys to ever don the star, and this quarterback helped begin to build the prestige associated with it nowadays.

As with any expansion team, the first few years are filled with growing pains, but that didn't stop Meredith from putting together three Pro Bowl seasons and showing the NFL flashes of what a scrambler can do under center.

"Dandy Don" was the first true franchise quarterback of this franchise, and through his stubbornness and tough mentality, he was able to help Dallas burst onto the NFL scene.

13. Charles Haley

While it's true that Charles Haley split his career between the Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers, his importance to the Dallas defense of the '90s cannot be denied.

Haley was traded to Dallas by their arch rival of the 1980s in the summer of 1992, arriving in Big D just in time for the team's three Super Bowl championship runs.

No. 94 was a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the 'Boys and had just one season with less than five sacks recorded during his five years with the franchise.

The James Madison product is a member of the league's prestigious 100 sack club and was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor this past November.

12. Rayfield Wright

Hall of Fame offensive tackle Rayfield Wright is one of the best linemen on either side of the ball to ever suit up for America's Team.

Wright made it to Canton, he was a six-time Pro Bowl selection, named to the 1970s All-Decade team and a two-time Super Bowl champion. Not a bad career for a seventh-round pick out of Fort Valley State College the 'Boys drafted originally as a tight end.

11. Bob Lilly

Looking back at the fiercest defenders in the NFL, people like to point to the "Mean" Joe Greens and Ray Lewises, but don't ever forget to put Hall of Famer Bob Lilly on that list.

Lilly was one of the key contributors to Dallas' first "Doomsday Defense" of the late 1960s into the mid-1970s and could get to the quarterback almost at will on most days.

The NFL had yet to see sacks as an important stat to record, but Lilly had more than his fair share. That reason could be one of the contributing factors to his 11 Pro Bowl appearances and seven All-Pro selections during his 13 years in the league.

In all but two years of his career, Lilly was considered one of the best in his sport. Think about that.

10. Mel Renfro

Ball-hawk has become a fashionable term in the NFL these days for defensive backs, but Mel Renfro fit that definition well before the fans started saying the word.

A long-time teammate of Lilly's, Renfro patrolled the secondary for Dallas for 13 seasons, intercepting a total of 52 passes over that time span. The former track athlete also contributed on special teams, racking up over a total of 3,000 yards when combining his punt and kick return results.

Renfro was named to the Cowboys' Ring of Honor in 1981 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

9. Herschel Walker

Before you scoff at Herschel Walker being in the top 10, hear me out. Yes, he only spent five seasons with the team, and only three of them were overly productive.

The fact remains that Walker delivered three solid years of 700 or more rushing yards, averaged over four yards a carry and his trade to Minnesota resulted in one of the greatest draft hauls the Cowboys have ever had.

The Vikings gave the 'Boys five players and six draft picks for Walker back in 1989. Two of those draft picks were Darren Woodson and Emmitt Smith.

Walker was a great talent for Dallas as both a feature running back and later a kick returner when he re-joined the squad in 1996, but the reason he ranks so high on this list is because his departure led to the team receiving key role players and future Hall of Fame players that truly revived the franchise.

8. Drew Pearson

Before Michael Irvin or Dez Bryant donned the No. 88 in Dallas, Drew Pearson was bringing prestige to the number.

Pearson was an undrafted free agent back in 1973, struggling to make the roster, and now he finds himself as one of the top five best wide receivers the team has ever had.

Roger Staubach's go-to receiver had more than a few memorable catches, including the "Hail Mary" pass the two connected on against the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs.

This wideout became known simply as "Mr. Clutch" during his career, and when Staubach believes you're the guy he wants to throw to in crucial situations, you've certainly earned the name.

7. Darren Woodson

From 1992 up until his retirement in 2004, safety Darren Woodson was one of the most skilled and reliable men at his position in all the NFL.

Woodson was drafted using picks received during the Herschel Walker trade with Minnesota, putting the Arizona native in Dallas to be coached by Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells for 12 years.

The reasons why the now ESPN analyst deserves to be in the top 10 is as simple as 3, 4, 5. Woodson was a three-time Super Bowl champion, four-time All-Pro selection and five-time Pro Bowler.

6. Randy White

Take one look at this picture of Randy White, and it's easy to see why many considered him an intimidating sight on defense.

White played anywhere from defensive end, tackle and even linebacker for head coach Tom Landry, proving to be one of his most talented defensive players time and time again.

This Super Bowl co-MVP has more accolades than you probably want to read about, but any Cowboys fan who saw White play or has done their homework on the franchise knows No. 54 is deserving of his place on this list.

5. Tony Dorsett

Running back Tony Dorsett is easily the second best rusher the franchise has ever seen, but just because he's not the best doesn't mean he wasn't accomplished.

The Pittsburgh alum gave Dallas eight 1,000-plus yard seasons during his 11 seasons in Big D, with 72 career touchdowns for the franchise.

His name will forever be a part of Cowboys history thanks to his unforgettable 99-yard touchdown dash on "Monday Night Football" against the Vikings back in 1983.

4. Michael Irvin

Wide receiver Michael Irvin was as mouthy as he was talented during his years at the University of Miami, and both only escalated when he was drafted by Dallas in 1988.

Irvin earned the nickname "The Playmaker" by becoming quarterback Troy Aikman's favorite receiver, constantly coming through for his team in crucial moments and always knowing how to celebrate his achievements after the play.

Before he was an NFL Network analyst, Irvin was trailblazing the showmanship and outspokenness that was later adopted by wide receivers like Terrell Owens and Randy Moss.

He's a three-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Hall of Fame. It's safe to say Irvin is the most accomplished receiver in Cowboys history.

3. Emmitt Smith

If you're looking for a solid man-cry session, go find Emmitt Smith's retirement speech.

If you've seen that speech, you realize that Smith adored his time as a Dallas Cowboy, and fans know that without him the 1990s might not have been so joyous.

The Florida alum didn't have the size one expects from an NFL running back, but he was powerful and never gave less than 100 percent, even when his health wasn't.

On top of his NFL rushing record, Smith will be remembered for his 1993 game against the New York Giants where he ran for 168 yards on the G-Men...with a dislocated shoulder.

2. Troy Aikman

The 1990s was the last decade of dominance for the Dallas Cowboys, and quarterback Troy Aikman had plenty to do with that success.

Aikman was the first overall pick in the 1989 draft, and he proved for the next 11 seasons he was worthy of that honor.

The UCLA product has been regarded as one of the most accurate passers of his era, which is high praise considering Steve Young, Dan Marino, John Elway and Brett Favre were just a few of the names playing during his time.

Dallas' most famous No. 8 followed in the footsteps of Don Meredith and Roger Staubach, bringing class to the franchise even when his teammates were out making knucklehead decisions. Aikman deserves his place in Canton as well as his spot on this list.

1. Roger Staubach

Throughout this slideshow, I've mentioned the aura and class of this organization a few times, and there's no denying Roger Staubach helped created that feeling about the Dallas Cowboys.

Staubach went to Navy and eventually served a tour in the Vietnam War on top of his football accomplishments, which were many. Roger "The Dodger" as he was called was one of the most difficult quarterbacks to bring down, and he wasn't too bad at fourth quarter comebacks either.

The guy has a laundry list of comebacks a mile long, and he helped bring the Cowboys franchise into the spotlight it now enjoys today. Staubach did this by bringing five NFC and two Super Bowl championships to Dallas, easily joining the other gridiron greats in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

While there may be a small opposition, Staubach topping this list is something I think many of my fellow Cowboys faithful will agree is the right move.