The Dallas Cowboys are one of the signature and most historic teams in the NFL as “Americas Team”. Last season was a big one for the Cowboys, as they went 13-3 and finished first in the NFC East, before ultimately losing to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional round of the playoffs. The Cowboys started off on a rough note when they lost quarterback Tony Romo to a back injury in the preseason. They were able to overcome the injury and have one of there most successful seasons in the last decade. Below is the Dallas Cowboys 2016 fantasy football recap.
Dallas Cowboys 2016 Fantasy Football Recap
Quarterback
With the injury to their long time starter, the Cowboys turned to a rookie, Dak Prescott. Prescott would start all 16 games and have one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history, throwing for 3,667 yards with 23 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Prescott also ran for 282 yards and six touchdowns, and finished the year with 271 fantasy points and averaging 17 per contest. Ultimately, Prescott finished as the sixth-ranked quarterback in fantasy, and was also one of the most consistent producers, with only two games of under 17 fantasy points. Prescott is a solid QB1 next season and is worth a fourth or fifth-round pick next season.
Running Back
The Cowboys made a big splash in the 2016 draft by taking Ezekiel Elliott number four overall. Elliott proved that he was worth the pick by running for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also adding 363 receiving yards and another touchdown through the air. Elliott finished the season as the number two running back in fantasy with 280 total fantasy points, while averaging close to 19 fantasy points per contest. One of the few bell cow running backs in the NFL, Elliott is an elite talent and is worth a high first-round pick in next season’s drafts.
Wide Receiver
The leading wide receiver for the Cowboys last season was Dez Bryant with 796 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Bryant finished the year as the 21st-ranked receiver in fantasy with 126 fantasy points, while averaging around eight points per contest. Bryant was injured throughout the year and missed five games, but when he did play, he was his dominant self with eight games of double digit fantasy points. Bryant is a solid WR1 for fantasy owners next season, and if he can stay healthy, he could make a run at the number one ranked receiver in fantasy. Bryant is worth a second-round pick in drafts.
The next leading receiver for the Cowboys was Cole Beasley with 833 yards and five touchdowns. Beasley finished the season as the 42nd-ranked wideout, with 105 fantasy points, and an average of six and a half points per game. Beasley was a solid flex option for fantasy owners until about Week 12 when his production slowed. Ultimately, he was more valuable as a PPR receiver, as he had 75 catches and averaged five receptions per game. Beasley is worth a late round pick in drafts next season.
Tight End
Jason Witten has been one of the staples of the Cowboys offense for going on 14 seasons. In 2016 he totaled 673 yards with only three touchdowns, good for a total of 77 fantasy points, and an average of about four and a half points per game. Witten finished the season as the 15th ranked tight end. Without question, he was limited last season and around a quarter of his points came from one game. Witten is an aging veteran but his worth a late-round flier in drafts next season.
Kicker
Dan Bailey was been a solid kicker in the NFL and fantasy over the last few seasons, and 2016 was more of the same. Bailey made 27 of 32 field goals and 46 extra points, for a total of 135 fantasy points, and an average of eight points per game. Bailey finished as the eighth-ranked kicker in fantasy, and his consistently stellar play makes him worth a late-round pick in drafts next season.
Defense
The Cowboys defense has been one of their weak points over the last few seasons. In 2016, they finished as the 17th ranked defense with 82 fantasy points. They averaged five points per game and only had two games of double digit fantasy points. With the Cowboys losing several of their starters in the off-season, they will not be much more then a bye week fill in.
The Cowboys have been one of the biggest teams in the NFL for decades. They have one of the best offenses in the league. If they can stay healthy and have a solid defense, they should be able to repeat last season’s success. With the talent on this roster, the Cowboys should have a good shot at winning their division and making a run at a Super Bowl.
Main Photo:
