The Dallas Cowboys entered the season with some major question marks and a rookie head coach. Their defense ranked near the bottom in most categories, and not even their high-flying offense could keep them afloat early on, making the playoffs look like nothing more than a long shot.
Fast forward to today, and with some players returning from injury and owner/general manager Jerry Jones making big moves to bolster the defense, the Cowboys are back in the playoff mix. They might even be one of the best teams in all of football right now after beating both Super Bowl 59 finalists in back-to-back outings.
With that in mind, and given the franchise's popularity, we can expect several Cowboys players to make the Pro Bowl. Here, we're going to talk about the three players who will get the nod for the first time in their careers.
3 First-Time Pro-Bowlers From The Cowboys
1. Tyler Booker, OG
The Cowboys drew some criticism when they took Tyler Booker with the No. 12 pick. So far, the rookie out of Alabama has done an outstanding job of silencing the critics, being one of the best run-blockers in the game.
Booker currently has a Pro Football Focus grade of 72.4, which ranks 12th among eligible guards. He's seventh in run-block grade (79.1), and has been instrumental in helping the Cowboys average 121.8 rushing yards per game, the 12th-most in the league. He's even improved as a pass protector, allowing exactly one pressure in four of his last five games after giving up two-plus in each of the first four.
The Cowboys' offensive line was in big need of help, and while taking a guard as high as 12th wasn't the sexy decision, it was certainly the right one. This could be the first of many Pro-Bowl selections for Booker.
2. George Pickens, WR
The Cowboys rolled the dice when they traded for George Pickens, who was known as much for his talent and potential as he was for his antics and temper tantrums. So far, the gamble has paid off in a big way as Pickens has cemented himself as one of the NFL's best playmakers.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers second-round pick has been the Cowboys' primary pass-catcher this season, often outperforming CeeDee Lamb. As of Sunday morning, Pickens ranks seventh in the NFL with 73 receptions, second with 1,142 receiving yards, and third with eight touchdowns.
Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer have made it loud and clear that they want to keep Pickens next to Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott for years to come. Re-signing the pending unrestricted free agent should be at the top of the Cowboys' priority list in free agency.
3. Javonte Williams, RB
Javonte Williams had already shown glimpses of strong play throughout his time with the Denver Broncos, but he had yet to break out. Injuries and inconsistency took a toll on him and his reputation, and the Cowboys got him on a short-term 'prove it' type of contract.
Fast forward to Week 13, and he's fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (955) and tied for sixth in touchdowns (8). The 4.8 yards per carry he's averaging are a personal-best mark, as are his 79.6 rushing yards per game. He's managed to contribute as a pass-catcher, too, hauling in 31 balls for 128 yards and another two scores.
Williams has done most of the heavy lifting on the ground for this team, especially with Miles Sanders out for the season and rookie Jaydon Blue being a healthy scratch more often than not. If Williams stays healthy down the stretch, he's a no-brainer selection for the 2025-26 Pro Bowl.