Sitting on a 7-9-1 record and outside of the playoffs, it's hard to say this was a positive season for the Dallas Cowboys. However, with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus gone and team owner/GM Jerry Jones seemingly eager to get over the hump, in addition to the positives fans saw on offense, there are reasons to feel encouraged about the Brian Schottenheimer era.
This offseason will be crucial for the team. They added a true superstar in Quinnen Williams, but at a steep price. And with all the questions surrounding George Pickens' future with the organization, this team will have to spend its money wisely.
That's also why finding reinforcements from within can be crucial to this team's success. With that in mind, we're going to talk about three Cowboys players who should be on the field more often in the 2026 NFL season.
3 Cowboys Players Who Should Get Another Chance Next Season
1. James Houston IV
There aren't many good things to say about the Cowboys' defense, which is probably why James Houston IV went overlooked. The Cowboys had a revolving door of mediocre pass rushers take the field this season, but Houston was actually an unsung hero amid that bunch.
Despite playing the second-fewest snaps among the team's pass rushers (307), Houston actually had the second-most sacks on the team (5.5). He also had the second-most QB hits (13) and was tied for the fourth-most tackles for loss (6).
Houston didn't start a single game, but he outproduced Dante Fowler Jr. throughout the campaign. With Jadeveon Clowney potentially leaving and Sam Williams not taking a leap, Houston might be the best bet to start opposite Donovan Ezeiruaku, or at least be one of the first guys off the bench.
2. Jaydon Blue
Jaydon Blue's situation is a bit more complex, but it's still way too early to give up on him. While his work ethic was questionable and his ball security was a concern, the Cowboys desperately need to have a plan B at running back.
Javonte Williams has probably played his way into a big contract, and Miles Sanders is aging and coming off a season-ending injury. That leaves the cheap and speedy Jaydon Blue as one of the potential bets for Brian Schottenheimer's offense.
Blue toted the rock 38 times for 129 yards and one score and was a healthy scratch for most of the season. He will have a lot of work to do to change the narrative around him, but the Cowboys can certainly benefit from a big-play threat out of the backfield.
1. Ryan Flournoy
While most people expected the likes of KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert, or even Jonathan Mingo to step up as the team's third-best wide receiver, Ryan Flournoy emerged out of the blue. He was especially impactful when CeeDee Lamb was hurt.
Flournoy showed impressive chemistry with Dak Prescott, and he had two games with 100+ receiving yards in limited action. The Cowboys' offense should continue to fire on all cylinders with Schottenheimer calling the shots, and Flournoy should have a featured role.
That's not to say that he should be the Robin to Lamb's Batman. But with no guarantees about whether Pickens will stay or not, he should be a part of the team's plans for the passing game, regardless of what happens.