While not much went right for the Dallas Cowboys this season, these players exceeded expectations. They made a bigger impact on the team than many fans and analysts expected them to this year.

DE Carl Lawson

When the Cowboys signed defensive end Carl Lawson at the end of training camp to the practice squad, not many expected him to have a big impact on the defensive line this season. However, with the defensive line suffering numerous injuries throughout the year, Lawson found himself in a position of playing more than even he may have expected. It’s fair to say he made the most of his opportunities. He finished the season with five sacks, the third-highest on the team.

Lawson spoke to Cowboys media, talking about his improvement throughout the season and how it proved he can be a good player in the NFL.

“This was a great year for me to prove that I’m still the same caliber of guy,” said Lawson. “The thing for me was continuous ascension. It wasn’t ‘come out of the gates hot and then [fall off]’. And the film I put out there against top-tier opponents, as the season was going on, was really good in establishing myself.

With Lawson set to be a free agent this offseason, it would be wise of the Cowboys to bring him back. He has proven himself to be a reliable depth piece on the defensive line.

CB Jourdan Lewis

Cornerback Jourdan Lewis has been a playmaker for the Cowboys defense throughout his career. He has always been their gritty player in the secondary, not afraid to play physical in the run game. With all this said, Lewis may have had his best season yet this year.

With the team getting CB Trevon Diggs back from injury and drafting talented rookie CB Caelen Carson in the fifth round, some fans felt that Lewis could see a somewhat diminished role. However, with the injury-bug striking the secondary all season long, the veteran cornerback stepped up for the defense.

Let Jourdan Lewis play forever.

Dude rocks.

— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) January 5, 2025

Lewis is one of many players on the team entering the offseason with an expiring contract. But make no mistake, Stephen Jones and the front office would like to see him come back.

“Jourdan’s just an uber competitor,” said executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones. “He’s a guy who’s out of contract, and obviously a guy that we want to have back on this football team.”

It would be a big win for the Cowboys if they can bring him back on an affordable contract next season.

RB Rico Dowdle

Fans and analysts were bewildered this offseason when the team didn’t prioritize signing or drafting a running back to replace Tony Pollard, who they had lost in free agency to the Tennessee Titans. The front office had faith that a tandem of Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott could get the job done. While they may have expected too much from Elliott, Dowdle more than exceeded expectations.

Dowdle impressed fans in the 2023 season as Pollard’s backup. He didn’t have incredible stats, but he made the most of his opportunities showcasing his explosive running style and consistency as a receiving option.

In 2024, Dowdle became the first undrafted free agent in franchise history to rush for over 1,000 yards. He went on a tear throughout the back-half of the season, making his case as a reliable starting running back in the league.

Dowdle is yet another player who has an expiring contract this offseason. Whether or not the Cowboys decide to bring him back, Dowdle has certainly earned himself a nice opportunity to be paid well in free agency.

These are three players that exceeded expectations in 2024, and the Cowboys would be wise to try and bring all of them back for the next season.