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Dallas Cowboys Week 4 Stock Report

By Reid Hanson

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Three games into the season and the Dallas Cowboys stand at 2-1. Let’s take a look at which stocks are hot and which are not

In this Dallas Cowboys stock report, we identify the Bulls (good), the Bears (bad), and the hottest IPO (top rookie).

Note: Not making the list are the injured and clear Blue Chip stocks: Tony Romo, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, and Travis Frederick.

Bull

RB Lance Dunbar

Lance Dunbar has finally established himself as a reliable change-of-pace weapon for the Dallas Cowboys. The 5’8″ RB played only 20 plays in the Dallas Cowboys offense on Sunday but he made the most of those opportunities and lead the team in receptions and yards.

Dunbar’s 95.5% catch percentage is the best on the Dallas Cowboys and his route running from multiple positions (outside, slot, backfield) makes him a versatile weapon in any formation.

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Dunbar averages 7 yards after the catch (YAC) and leads the team in first downs gained. With Dez Bryant out, Dunbar is the most unstoppable weapon on the Dallas Cowboys offense. If the Cowboys can’€™t find a respectable deep threat these next few weeks, Dunbar will be the focus of every defenses attention. The Cowboys will make it a point to throw deep next week and that should continue to do big things for Dunbar underneath.

Bear

WR Terrance Williams

Terrance Williams continues to disappoint. Consistency has been the #1 thing plaguing Williams’ career and that issue continued on Sunday when Williams was held without a catch. On the season, Williams has been targeted 17 times, making catches on nine of those opportunities.

With his two obvious drops, Williams has an 18.18 drop rate (PFF) which ranks him as the 11th worst in the NFL. Williams typically drops balls when his involvement in the offense is low. His concentration level has been questioned before, as has his effort.

It is absolutely imperative to the Dallas Cowboys’€™ success that Terrance Williams steps up and starts performing like a lead receiver this next month. The Cowboys found success running the ball on Sunday because the Falcons feared and respected Williams.

Once Atlanta realized he was no longer a threat, they shifted focus on the running game. For the Cowboys to once again find success running, they need Williams to make deep plays and keep defenses from cheating.

Hottest IPO

OG La’el Collins

Rookie La’el Collins received his first start of his professional career on Sunday. Playing for the injured Ronald Leary, Collins was able to build on his up and down preseason and give the Cowboys a solid performance against the Falcons. Collins, a projected first round talent, struggled in training camp but seems to be making strides in hid development as of late.

The starting position still belongs to Leary, but Collins has been able to separate himself from Mackenzy Bernadeau as the primary backup. It’s clear Collins has a bright future on this team and with any luck, could be starting guard by next season and/or the starting right tackle soon after.

Collins has now logged 50 pass-blocking snaps and has not given up pressure in sacks, hits, or hurries, earning a perfect score from Pro Football Focus. His run-blocking still leaves something to be desired but protecting the QB from up the middle is priority #1 and in that Collins is on point.

Next: Film Review: Cowboys Standouts, Notes, and Observations

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