Dallas Cowboys Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott gave his take on the health of WR Michael Gallup. “[He’s] starting to come back into who Michael Gallup is and feel himself. That’s a guy that I’ve got a lot of trust in," Prescott said. "He’s getting his feet under him, and he’s going to be better.” Gallup tore his ACL in early January, 2022, and labored through last season. Dallas added Brandin Cooks over the offseason, but Gallup profiles as a low-risk flier at WR79 in ADP.

Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (leg) is on the field for OTAs this week. HC Mike McCarthy called these "reduced-tempo" workouts, but the fact that Pollard is doing anything after his January fibula fracture is encouraging. We'll continue to track his progress, but he should be ready to rock come Week 1.

Jon Machota of The Athletic gave an update on the health of Cowboys RB Tony Pollard. “From everything I’ve heard, I think Pollard will be fully healthy by the start of the season,” Machota said. “They might ease him in during training camp.” Pollard suffered a left fibula fracture on January 22, but Dallas showed some confidence in the 26-year-old by applying the franchise tag in March. Pollard is routinely drafted as a top-8 fantasy RB.

Cowboys WR Michael Gallup admits that he struggled last season returning from his January 2022 ACL tear. "I was thinking too much,” Gallup said. “My knee was feeling sore, and it was just different. Last year at this time, I couldn’t walk. It’s different now. I feel springy again. It just feels different.” Gallup posted career lows last year in yards per game (30.3), yards per catch (10.9), and yards per route (1.0). We're buying a bounce back for the 27-year-old this season. But he still sits outside the top 50 in the WR Rankings after the Cowboys added WR Brandin Cooks earlier this offseason.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Cowboys QB Dak Prescott will sign an extension this offseason. Dak is under contract through the 2024 season, but his cap number rockets from $26.8 million (2023) to $59.5 million in 2024. “Cowboys leadership has been very clear, publicly and privately, that they're all-in with Dak," Graziano writes. “They want him to be a Cowboy for his entire career.” Prescott, who turns 30 in July, projects as a low-end QB1 for 2023.

The Cowboys chose RB Deuce Vaughn in Round 6 of the NFL Draft. Vaughn, of course, is best known for standing just 5'5 and 179 pounds. He got workhorse usage at Kansas State the past two years, though, with 528 carries and 91 receptions over that span. Vaughn might need return duties to help him make the active roster, but we'll be watching eagerly to see if he can work into an offensive role. There's room to climb a depth chart that currently includes Tony Pollard, Malik Davis, Ronald Jones, and Rico Dowdle. Vaughn will be just a late-round target for dynasty rookie drafts.

The Cowboys selected Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Call it strong draft capital in a year loaded with TE talent. The 6’5, 251-pounder tested as a high-end athlete following a breakout 2022 (35-418-3). NFL.com's Lance Zierlein comped him to Bills TE Dawson Knox. In Dallas, Schoonmaker has a chance to absorb a good chunk of the targets left behind by Dalton Schultz. The current Texan saw 89 targets with the Cowboys in 2022.

The Cowboys signed RB Ronald Jones to a 1-year deal. In a best-case scenario, Jones would be Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott replacement -- an outcome that would give him plenty of fantasy value. The problem is that Jones' career has headed sharply south since his 192-978-7 rushing line back in 2020. He fell behind Leonard Fournette in 2021, carrying just 101 times for 428 yards and 4 TDs. And then Jones could barely get on the field for the Chiefs last year, finishing with just 17 carries for 70 yards and 1 TD. We're not completely throwing in the towel on Jones, who turns just 26 in August. But we're also not considering him a lock for Dallas' #2 RB job. We'll see what else the offseason brings. If Jones is the Cowboys' biggest addition, it'd be a big win for RB Tony Pollard.

The Cowboys are getting WR Brandin Cooks from the Texans for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-rounder in 2024, according to multiple reports. Dallas likely views Cooks as the new No. 2 WR, ahead of Michael Gallup. We wouldn't bet on him beating CeeDee Lamb in target share. Cooks is coming off a disappointing 2022 that saw his receptions per game, yards per game and catch rate fall significantly vs. his previous two Houston campaigns. He managed just a WR40 finish in PPR points per game. But we're not betting that the 29-year-old (until Sept. 25) is over the hill just yet. If the team change doesn't boost Cooks' ADP too much vs. his current low-WR4 position, he's a solid-to-good option for your best ball drafts. Cooks' arrival also helps QB Dak Prescott, who sits low in QB1 territory in best ball ADP. As for the Houston WR corps: Try not to get too excited about anyone. The Texans signed Robert Woods to a two-year deal this offseason. Nico Collins has averaged just 2.9 receptions per game through two NFL seasons. And 2022 second-round pick John Metchie is expected to debut after missing his rookie year for leukemia treatment. The whole group should at least get a new QB next month via the NFL Draft.

The Cowboys have agreed to a three-year deal with S Donovan Wilson that includes $24 million total and full guarantees on the first two years, according to NFL Network's Mike Garofolo. Wilson got his first chance at full-time starting duty last season -- his fourth in Dallas -- and racked up big numbers. He led all Cowboys with 101 tackles and led all NFL DBs with 5 sacks. Wilson ranked among the top 12 fantasy scorers at the position. The money locks him in for at least one more year of starting, and likely two. That makes Wilson worth keeping in dynasty leagues. And he'll almost certainly land a top-20 spot among DBs in our 2023 IDP rankings.

As expected, the Cowboys are applying the franchise tag to RB Tony Pollard. That will cost the team $10.1 million on a one-year deal, if the two sides can't agree to a longer-term contract before the July 15 deadline. Pollard's anxiously anticipated breakout this past season made Dallas' move inevitable. There is still some question about whether the team also keeps RB Ezekiel Elliott around. Cowboys leadership has spoken as though that's the plan. And HC Mike McCarthy intimated in February that he split with former OC Kellen Moore because McCarthy wants a more run-leaning offense. The ankle injury that knocked Pollard out of the playoff loss to San Francisco isn't expected to affect his 2023 availability or contract negotiations with the Cowboys. You'll have to pay up if you want to draft him, though. Pollard's already going 13th among RBs in best ball ADP.

Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline hears that the Cowboys are looking to keep both RB Ezekiel Elliott and RB Tony Pollard on the team for 2023. The plan is to get Elliott to agree to a pay cut from the $16.7 million he's currently scheduled to make this upcoming season and then use the franchise tag on Pollard, which would pay him a little over $10 million in 2023. Elliott and Pollard split backfield work basically down the middle this past year, with Zeke averaging 15.4 carries and 1.5 targets per game to Pollard's 12.1 carries and 3.4 targets. Both guys' fantasy ceilings would be capped if they remain together in Dallas.

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy will take over play-calling duties from departed OC Kellen Moore, owner Jerry Jones said. Jones added that McCarthy will deploy a "version of the offenses he ran in Green Bay," according to The Dallas News' Calvin Watkins. McCarthy spent 13 years running the Packers offense, leading 10 of those teams to top 10 finishes in points, total yards or both. He was helped, of course, by having Brett Favre under center for his first 2 seasons and Aaron Rodgers for the final 11. McCarthy's offenses leaned pass, with 9 of them ranking higher in pass attempts than rush attempts. We'd expect a similar attack with QB Dak Prescott in 2023 but will keep an eye on McCarthy's plans throughout the offseason.

Cowboys WR Michael Gallup underwhelmed this past year, posting 39-424-4 in 14 games. Recall that he was returning from a left ACL tear from Week 17 of 2021. Now, we have more information to help explain his difficult 2022. On Tuesday, the career-long Cowboy underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right ankle and right knee, per beat writer Michael Gehlken. He’s expected to be fine for team workouts in April. Gallup’s $11 million salary for 2023 is fully guaranteed, so he’ll return for a 6th season in Dallas. Still, it’s quite possible that the Cowboys add competition to the WR corps. Dallas picks 27th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Several outlets reported on Sunday evening that the Dallas Cowboys and OC Kellen more have mutually agreed to part ways after 4 seasons. HC Mike McCarthy is expected to take over play-calling duties in 2023. The Cowboys' offense ranked top-10 in scoring in 3 of Moore's 4 seasons at the helm. Moore will be a highly sought-after candidate whether as an OC or head coach. The former QB has interviewed for several head coach openings over the years, including an interview for the Carolina Panthers' vacancy that was ultimately filled by HC Frank Reich. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Sunday that the newly-available Moore is expected to speak with the Los Angeles Chargers about their vacant OC position. Where he ultimately lands will have ripple effects for fantasy purposes. We'll keep our eyes out for any updates that come up regarding Moore's future employment status.

Cowboys RB Tony Pollard underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair his broken left fibula, ESPN's Todd Archer reports. "Should be full strength well before training camp," Archer adds. We'll keep an eye on Pollard's rehab, but this injury shouldn't impact his 2023 fantasy outlook. Pollard is set to hit free agency in March.

Cowboys RB Tony Pollard fractured his left fibula in Sunday's Divisional Round loss to the 49ers, ESPN's Todd Archer reports. Pollard also reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain, but the leg injury is the bigger concern. Archer notes that fractured fibulas normally require a 3-month recovery. That timetable would put Pollard back on the field by the end of April, so Pollard should at least be a full-go by the time training camp rolls around. It's unfortunate timing, though, with Pollard set to hit free agency in March.

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb hauled in 10 of 13 targets for 117 yards in Sunday's Divisional Round loss vs. the 49ers. TE Dalton Schultz also came up big again, catching 5 of 10 targets for 27 yards and 1 TD in the contest. Lamb will be locked into the WR1 conversation again in the coming season. On the other hand, Schultz is staring down free agency with an uncertain future ahead. It would certainly be great to see him return to the Cowboys long-term in hopes of extending his streak of TE1 finishes to 4 seasons and beyond. Add Schultz's name to the list of big question marks for the franchise looking ahead into the offseason.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott completed 23 of 37 attempts for 206 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs in Sunday's Divisional Round loss vs. the 49ers. The veteran QB also added 22 rushing yards on 4 carries in the contest. Prescott fell back into his ways of throwing risky passes after a stellar performance last week vs. the Buccaneers in the Wild Card round, and the resurfacing of this turnover issue couldn't have come at a worse time. He'd had a 7-game INT streak prior to last week's contest. Prescott's 15 INTs in 12 games led the NFL in the regular season, though averaging 16.6 fantasy points per game with a stabilizing plate in his thumb could be worse. We expect Prescott to return to the QB1 conversation in 2023.

Cowboys RB Tony Pollard exited Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the 49ers in the 2nd quarter after sustaining a nasty hit and didn't return. ESPN's Todd Archer reports that Pollard sustained a fractured left fibula that will require surgery with an estimated 3-month recovery period. This news certainly explains his emotion and putting a towel over his head while being carted off the field in an air cast during the contest. It remains to be seen how this will affect Pollard's impending free agency or impact his market of potential suitors. Pollard ended Sunday's contest with 6 rushes for 22 yards and 2 receptions for 11 yards.