Dallas Cowboys Player Awards: Best Surprise Performer of 2020

Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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We discuss which Dallas Cowboys player had the best surprise performance of 2020

Just because the Dallas Cowboys had a nightmare of a season doesn’t mean some things didn’t go right and some players perform well. In fact, some players actually outperformed their expectations this past season and deserve a little recognition.

Today, Sport DFW Cowboys columnist Dink Kearney and I discuss who we think is the Dallas Cowboys biggest surprise performer of 2020 – Players we thought performed much better than what was expected of them.

Dink’s Pick: Tony Pollard

This award goes Tony Pollard because of his versatility of running between the tackles, being a receiving threat out of the backfield, and a legit kickoff returner. Pollard has two long touchdown runs that helped Dallas beat the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers, especially against the 49ers because Ezekiel Elliott didn’t play.

Further, Pollard has proven that he needs the ball in his hands at 12-20 times a game, whether that’s running the ball or catching passes. Simply put, Pollard playmaking skills need to used in a creative way in this highly powered offense.

Reid’s Pick: Dalton Schultz

Like a lot of fans, my heart sank when i saw TE1 Blake Jarwin go down in Week 1. Not only because I expect great things from him, but because I was frightened by the depth behind him.

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Dalton Schultz, a career TE3, was suddenly thrust into the starting role. And while I had bullish expectations for Schultz-y entering the season, I wasn’t excited about him as the starter. But Schultz proved me and just about everyone else wrong with his consistent all-around play as starting tight end of the Dallas Cowboys. Dalton surprisingly finished the season fifth amongst TEs in receptions with 63.

Dallas is now in a pretty good situation entering the 2021 season. They have the explosive Jarwin back as TE1 and they have arguably the best TE2 in the game complementing him.

Other candidates

There were other players who performed surprisingly well too. A case could certainly be made for Donovan Wilson, Aldon Smith, Randy Gregory, and Tyler Biadasz as well. They all turned heads with their performances at some point and serve as bright parts of an otherwise dark season we’d like to all forget.

Next. Cowboys "awards": The most disappointing player of 2020. dark

Were any of these players your biggest surprise performer or was it someone else? Tell us who and why in the comments so we can discuss and debate…

  • Published on 01/06/2021 at 13:01 PM
  • Last updated at 01/06/2021 at 13:45 PM