Dallas Cowboys Power Rankings: The Team's 5 Best Fantasy Football Options

The Dallas Cowboys limped their way to a disappointing 6-10 record in 2010. Their head coach was fired, the high expectations were deflated by about Week 5, and their starting quarterback was in a sling for most of the season. 

Former head coach Wade Phillips is gone, replaced by the young and motivated Jason Garrett. The expectations are somewhat lowered, as the Cowboys fly under the radar after all the moves the Eagles made this offseason. Healed is the broken collarbone that sidelined Tony Romo.

But most of all, the 2010 season is in the rear view mirror, as the Cowboys drive up on their 2011 opener. Starting anew with a fresh 0-0 record is always something teams look forward to after a disappointing previous season.

Now the Cowboys high-octane offense should be back in shape. There are plenty of weapons for Romo and company.

In fact, this offense could once again prove to have some big-time fantasy contributors. Here are the top five on the Cowboys roster.  

TE Jason Witten

ESPN Fantasy Projections: 91 catches, 1,001 yards, six touchdowns, 136 points

My Projections: 80 catches, 880 yards, eight touchdowns

I know Romo and Witten have a good connection, but I don't see Witten catching 91 passes this season. The Cowboys should have the weapons on offense to take away some of the looks Witten got so often in the past. 

However, he's still going to be a big threat in the red zone. Witten is the perfect safety blanket for a quarterback when the team is in that portion of the field. 

As he's been for so long now, expect Witten to be one of fantasy football's top five tight ends. 

RB Felix Jones

ESPN Fantasy Projections: 208 carries, 928 yards, three touchdowns; 55 catches, 452 yards, two touchdowns

My Projections: 220 carries, 955 yards, five touchdowns; 45 catches, 420 yards, two touchdowns

Not many complaints regarding ESPN's projection of Jones' season. 

The Cowboys are going to focus more on Jones in 2011, and that's a good thing for everyone involved. Dallas was a much better offense last season when Jones got the touches. 

If he can continue to show a willingness to run between the tackles, and be the kind of weapon out of the backfield that he has been, Jones is a legitimate No. 2 running back in fantasy football. 

WR Miles Austin

ESPN Fantasy Projections: 82 catches, 1,200 yards, seven touchdowns

My Projections: 70 catches, 950 yards, six touchdowns

This is not a diss of any sorts towards Austin. He's a fantastic NFL receiver who has a lot to offer to any offense. However, I think this version of the Cowboys' offense is going to run through Bryant.

While the threat of Bryant would seem to make Austin's job easier (and it will), Bryant is going to command the most looks. That, in turn, could hurt Austin's fantasy numbers.

He's still being drafted as a No. 1 receiver, and his stats from the last two seasons back that up. But he might take a backseat to Bryant in Big D this season.  

WR Dez Bryant

ESPN Fantasy Projections: 77 catches, 1,088 yards, nine touchdowns

My Projections: 75 catches, 1,275 yards, 11 touchdowns

ESPN certainly gives Bryant a good season, but I think he could be much better. He's got everything you want in an NFL receiver—speed, strength, hands, physicality. Bryant is the complete package.

I think he has some maturity issues that still need to be ironed out, but that's not a problem that's stopped elite receivers. If they're open, good quarterbacks will get them the football.

If Bryant stays healthy in 2011, expect him to be a breakout fantasy star at the receiver position.  

QB Tony Romo

ESPN Fantasy Projections: 318 completions, 4,329 yards, 26 touchdowns, 13 interceptions

My projections: 326 completions, 4,050 yards, 29 touchdowns, 17 interceptions

Romo still has all the tools and weapons to be an elite fantasy quarterback. But can he stay healthy, and can he avoid some of the bone-headed mistakes that have plagued him in the past? 

I say yes and no. He's going to stay healthy, and I think he'll put together a good season statistically. Will that transfer into wins? Maybe, but big numbers don't always translate in that way. 

The stupid mistakes will always be there with Romo. That's where the 17 interceptions comes from. He's got a little Favre in him when it comes to throwing the ball into places he shouldn't be. 

However, he's going to re-establish himself as an elite fantasy pick this season. The numbers will be there for Romo.