5 possible new starters for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022
By Reid Hanson
5 new Dallas Cowboys starters
Dorance Armstrong, Dallas Cowboys DE
When Randy Gregory spurned the Dallas Cowboys advances this offseason, Dorance Armstrong was the man who stood to benefit. Dallas immediately re-signed the four-year vet to a two-year deal. The unusually young Armstrong is just 24-years-old and coming off his best season as a pro.
With the rookie Sam Williams a project player, Dante Fowler a specialist, and Tarell Basham a rotational base end, the job is Armstrong’s to lose. He’s an ascending player with his best football well ahead of him.
Malik Hooker, SAF
The oft-injured safety was once a first round pick but after suffering injury after injury, Malik Hooker found his way to Dallas last season. Last season was a prove-it year for Hooker, in more ways than one:
- He had to prove he could stay healthy.
- He had to prove he still had some game
Hooker proved both in 2021 and the Dallas Cowboys rewarded him with a two-year deal that will keep him in Dallas through 2023. Hooker progressed as the season went on last year and by the time the season ended, he was the best option on the roster not named Jayron.
In 2022 Hooker figures to start at FS, replacing the departed Damontae Kazee. Kearse will reclaim that LB/SAF role Dan Quinn created for him and Donovan Wilson will play a little in-the-box and split safety to complement each.
Jalen Tolbert, WR
In all fairness to James Washington, Jalen Tolbert is my favorite to be WR3 this season when all is said and done. And since the Dallas Cowboys run 11-personnel more than any of their personnel groups, WR3 is indeed a starter.
Washington will likely start the season as WR2 in place of Michael Gallup but once Gallup comes back and Tolbert gets his feet under him, I fully expect Tolbert to separate himself from the rest of the pack. Tolbert is smart and well-studied. He’s a big play machine who should gel nicely with Kellen Moore’s offense. Best of all he can play inside and outside – a virtual requirement in this system.