Cowboys on PFF ‘Top 101: Who Ranks for Dallas?
The Vince Lombardi Trophy's return to North Texas was delayed for yet another season, but further postseason accolades found their way to the Dallas Cowboys' metaphorical trophy case.
With Pro Football Focus unveiling its annual list of the NFL's top 101 players, three Pokes made the cut, a subsection headlined by Micah Parsons at fifth overall and the second-best defensive player on the list behind Chris Jones of Kansas City (who trailed only teammate and fellow champion Patrick Mahomes). Behind him are running back Tony Pollard and receiver CeeDee Lamb, two offensive teammates who round out the top 50.
"It’s worth remembering that this was Parsons' first full-time season as an edge rusher," Parsons' accompanying blurb writes. "He was immediately one of the best in the game, dominating lesser opponents and beating some of the best tackles in the game for their first sacks allowed this season."
It's hardly a surprise to see Parsons so high, providing yet another reward for his work through a mere two seasons of action. PFF was particularly impressed with the way Parsons adjusted to becoming a pure pass rusher as opposed to his professional debut which saw him move around the field. Parsons cashed in upon the switch, earning 13.5 quarterback takedowns.
Of note, Parsons is one of only four players in the top 20 (Cleveland's Myles Garrett is right behind him while Nick Bosa of San Francisco and New York Jet Sauce Gardner rank at 11th and 18th respectively) and the highest-rated player in the NFC. Three Chiefs (Mahomes, Jones, and fourth-place Travis Kelce) appear in the top five while Cincinnati thrower Joe Burrow lands in third.
As for Dallas' lauded yard-gainers, PFF was pleased with the way Pollard and Lamb respectively embraced larger roles in the Cowboys' offense ... even if PFF couldn't help but partly scold all parties for not allowing Pollard to officially stand as the top back over Ezekiel Elliott.
"Dallas still couldn’t quite bring themselves to install Pollard as the true alpha back in their offense, but for the first time, he was given a far more even split with Ezekiel Elliott and continued to dramatically outperform the former fourth-overall pick," the accompanying analysis reads of the back who earned a career-best 1,007 yards on the ground this season. "Pollard averaged 3.76 yards per carry after contact, breaking 51 tackles, 18 more than Elliott on 40 fewer carries."
Lamb (1,359 yards on 107 receptions, nine of which went for scores) likewise set new career-highs in becoming the Cowboys' primary target following the departure of Amari Cooper via trade. PFF lauds the value and reliability that Lamb brought to the team, noting that others failed to make up for the aerial value lost with Cooper's departure.
"Lamb ended up carrying Dallas' passing attack almost single-handedly this season, producing 121 receptions, including the playoffs, with no other Dallas player notching more than 47. Lamb gained 2.39 yards per route run — late-season addition T.Y. Hilton was the only other receiver to generate more than 1.25.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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