Who Is The Surprise Player For the Dallas Cowboys
By Dink Kearney

Every year, a player comes out of nowhere and makes the Dallas Cowboys. Sometimes it’s a late round pick, or a mid-round pick, or even an undrafted rookie. It’s not that they can make the team, but it’s the impact they bring to the team. These players either become starters, key contributors, or just make timely plays.
Last year, DB Tyler Patmon was an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma State. The biggest moment for Patmon came when he intercepted Carson Palmer for a pick 6. Although the Cowboys loss the game, Patmon proved he belonged in the NFL and someone the Cowboys could depend on.
Now Patmon has put himself in position to be a starter, especially after Brandon Carr broke his hand. Not only that, but Patmon isn’t a push over. He’s a fighter, literally, just ask Dez Bryant.
Over the last few years, the Cowboys have pulled good players out of nowhere.
In 2012, Cole Beasley was an undrafted rookie out of SMU who made an immediate impact. The diminutive WR made key catches and was a great route runner. Bease was a handful for DB’s playing out of the slot. Three years later, Beasley has become one of Tony Romo‘s favorite targets.
Last season was Beasley’s best as he had career best in receiving yards (420), yards per catch (11.4) and TD’s (4). The Cowboys rewarded Beasley with a lucrative contract extension.
In 2011, sixth round pick Dwayne Harris emerged as one the Cowboys primary return men. He showed flashes of his talent his Rookie season when he averaged 28.9 yards on kick returns and 311 All Purpose Yards. Over the next three seasons he became a dangerous return man and a decent WR.
So what Rookie will emerge as a surprise out of training camp?
Will it be Lucky Whitehead?
The speedster out of Florida Atlantic is making an impression at training camp as a return man and slot receiver. The coaching staff is praising him about his quickness, his ability to get separation, and his grasp of the route tree. They continue to praise him about catching the ball, and being dynamic in the open field.
As of right now, Whitehead is going up against fellow teammates Nick Harwell, Deontay Greenberry, Antwan Goodley, George Farmer, A.J. Jenkins and Reggie Dunn for that last roster spot.
Whitehead’s return skills give him an edge. And the possibility of him developing as a WR and special teams player will only increase his chances of making the roster. But the fact the Cowboys need a KR/PR helps Whitehead the most, since he’s the one person standing out.
Then there is Gus Johnson.
The former Stephen F. Austin RB has a good chance to not only make the team, but probably get some playing time because of injuries to the other RB’s. With Darren McFadden on the “physically unable to perform” list, known as P.U.P., Joseph Randle nursing an injury and Lance Dunbar out with a sprained ankle, Johnson can show his skills and why he scored 52 TD’s while playing for the Lumberjacks.
At 5’10” and 215 pounds, Johnson is a bull running down hill. That’s exactly what the Cowboys need to run behind that massive offensive line, someone to beat down opposing defenses.
I’m not saying Johnson will out perform Randle, Dunbar, or McFadden and become the starting RB. All I’m saying is Johnson has the talent to emerge as a legitimate RB that can be a part of the rotation.
Although this player wasn’t a RB, it happened in 2006 when a WR from a little known college in the north east called Monmouth made the team as an UFA. That was Miles Austin. Austin eventually became a starter and was good enough until injuries took over and derailed him.
Back in 2004, the Cowboys signed an UFA Quarterback from Eastern Illinois. Although he didn’t play right away, he did enough to make the team as a back up QB and got better each year.
The opportunity presented itself when Drew Bledsoe performed poorly during a Monday Night football against the Giants.
The Cowboys did lose that game, but Romo didn’t lose his position.
Almost 10 years later, he’s a Pro Bowler and still the QB for the Dallas Cowboys.
Now that’s the surprise I want to see.
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