Cowboys Week 5 Stock Report: Malachi Lawrence Leads 3 Rising, DaRon Bland Among 5 Falling

Dallas Cowboys rookie edge rusher Malachi Lawrence was one of the few bright spots in Week 5.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Malachi Lawrence (57) rushes the line during the game between the Cowboys and the Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Dallas Cowboys had one of the uglier losses in recent memory on Thursday when they fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-16.

It was a terrible performance all around, as the Cowboys couldn't get much going on offense and the defense was its usual putrid self.

Despite the struggles, we did find three players who managed to improve their respective stocks going into Week 6. Meanwhile, we are highlighting five guys who hurt their stocks the most, although we could have named a lot more.

Now, our Week 5 stock report.

Rising: Ameer Speed

Oct 8, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) rushes the ball against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Ameer Speed (23) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Speed has quietly put together three solid games in a row for the Cowboys. While he has only been targeted twice in that span, his coverage has been sticky, so no wonder teams aren't trying him.

The Cowboys may have found an unsung hero at CB in someone NOBODY saw coming: Ameer Speed.

Over the last 3 weeks, he’s played 34 coverage snaps and been targeted just twice, allowing 1 catch for 8 yards.

The numbers are impressive, but the film is even better.

Speed looks… pic.twitter.com/pRJ3ezIFcm

— Bumi (@Bumi_mind) October 10, 2026

Speed saw one target in Week 5 but didn't allow a completion.

If Cobie Durant is needed in the slot upon his return, the Cowboys should give Speed snaps over DaRon Bland.

Falling: Jake Ferguson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Josiah Trotter (45) celebrates as Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) looks on during the game between the Cowboys and the Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ferguson has proven unreliable this season, and in more ways than one.

In Week 3, he had the crucial fumble, and in Week 5 it was the brutal drop on a pass that went through his hands, off his face mask and into the arms of a Bucs defender. That play sealed Dallas' loss on its final offensive drive.

Adding to those issues, Ferguson has also struggled badly with blocking, which has only made his season look even worse. The Cowboys tight end needs to get his act together, and fast.

Rising: George Pickens

Oct 8, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) catches a touchdown pass over Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) and cornerback Ayden Garnes (24) during the game between the Cowboys and the Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pickens finally broke out on Sunday, with the veteran wideout reeling in season-highs in catches (nine), receiving yards (130) and touchdowns (one). It was only a matter of time before he exploded, and here we are.

Keep an eye on the status of CeeDee Lamb going into Week 6, as he's dealing with a quad bruise. That's not expected to keep him out, but if it does, Pickens could be in line for another big game.

Falling: DaRon Bland

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) attempts but cannot intercept a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) during the game between the Cowboys and the Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When isn't Bland's stock falling? In fact, we're not sure it can even go lower than it is now.

Another abysmal performance was headlined by Bland falling on two separate plays, both of which led to crucial receptions. Then, there was his brutal drop on a potential pick-six that the old Bland would have caught and housed.

It doesn't appear the Cowboys are going to make a change with the veteran corner yet, but they desperately need to.

Rising: Malachi Lawrence

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Malachi Lawrence (57) rushes the line against Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Luke Goedeke (67) during the game between the Cowboys and the Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The rookie did something nobody else could in Week 5: finish off a pressure with a sack. Adding to that, Lawrence had two pressures in total to go along with a run stop.

The sack was the first of Lawrence's career and he's now tied for the team lead with one. It was a step in the right direction during a season in which the rookie has been mostly quiet.

Falling: Quinnen Williams

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) reacts after a defensive play against the Houston Texans during the first half at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Willams has been inconsistent, at best, this season and had a bad game in Week 5 after playing better in Week 4.

The biggest issue we saw with Williams was his failure to get off blocks, which assisted in the Buccaneers running wild on Dallas. Williams did have a few pressures, but he didn't turn either of them into even a QB hit, let alone a sack.

Williams' performance on Thursday did nothing to quell the idea he just isn't a good fit in the system Christian Parker is running.

Falling: Von Miller

Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Von Miller (40) on the sideline during the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Like Williams, Miller was a big culprit in the Cowboys' run defense struggles in Week 5. The Bucs kept running it at the veteran edge rusher, and he kept failing to set the edge. It's amazing the damage Miller did in just 10 snaps.

Miller posted one pressure, but of course he didn't convert it into a sack, and he has yet to take down the quarterback through five games. The Von Miller experiment is not working in Dallas.

Falling: The Coaching staff

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Beating a dead horse here at this point, but this coaching staff just continues to frustrate us.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer even admitted his play-calling wasn't good enough in the first half of Week 5, and we'd say that was the case the entire game and, really, the entire season.

As for Parker, he continues to have no answers for how the Cowboys can fix their deficiencies on defense and our faith in him is nil.

This is just a poorly-coached team, plain and simple, and we're not sure that's ever going to change with this current staff.

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