3 Cowboys players on the verge of breakout in 2022

Dallas Cowboys breakout No. 3: Terence Steele

Last season was enormous step for second year tackle Terence Steele. Steele went from bubble player (and one of the lowest rated OTs in the entire NFL) in 2020, to starting RT on the Dallas Cowboys in a single year.

His ascension spelled the end for long-time tackle La’el Collins and his development continues to drop jaws at The Star in Frisco. The RT job is indisputably Steele’s this season, which means the opportunity is there for him to make a big impact.

Last season Steele graded out as a pretty average player. He was a good run-blocker but a subpar pass protector. Given his strength and athleticism I expect that to change this season and both areas of his game to sit well within the “plus column.”

Steele’s trajectory alone indicates this will be his breakout season in the pros. He’ll no longer be the liability he was a season ago, and all indications are the Dallas Cowboys want to leave him at RT and not slide him over to cover Tyron Smith’s inevitable missed games. A wise strategy.

With Zack Martin lining up next to him, Steele will once again have elite support. Even the tight end position will be stronger next to him with mini-camp standout, Jack Ferguson essentially replacing Blake Jarwin as TE2. Ferguson should be a significant blocking upgrade and will be able to offer up chips and doubles when Terence Steele faces especially tough opponents.

Once training camp begins we’ll get a better idea who’s on track for a breakout season, but right now, these three players are in optimal situations to make big steps.