A new slate of NFL games is right around the corner as the Dallas Cowboys return from their bye in Week 8. America's Team currently owns the NFC East's second-place spot, meaning a strong effort is needed for the remainder of the campaign if the Cowboys hope to win the division.
DraftKings Sportsbook's futures odds emphasize Dallas' need for a strong finish to the year. Mike McCarthy's team currently sits at +165 odds to win the NFC East, putting them well behind the first-place Eagles (-200).
In other words, the Cowboys can't afford a slow start when they face the LA Rams on Sunday. Any underperformers must put their woes in the rearview to do their part when it comes to creating a winning environment.
1. Brandin Cooks
Cowboys fans were thrilled when the team acquired stud wideout Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans back in March.
After all, Cooks has been one of the most consistent receivers over the last decade. He's racked up six 1,000-yard campaigns since the 2015 NFL season and earned a reputation for being able to carve out a role no matter where he found himself.
Unfortunately, Cooks has failed to meet expectations more often than not this season.
The veteran pass-catcher has been invisible in the passing game, hauling in 13 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown in five games. His catcher rate (56.5%) is significantly below his career average (65.1%) and the fact that he ranks ninth on the team with 4.7 yards per target shows that he isn't even being looked at for big plays.
If Cooks wants to prove that he has something left in the tank, now's the time to do it. The Rams' defense has been reliable for the most part this season, however, they are allowing the ninth-most passing yards league-wide over their last three games.
If he comes up with another dud, it's going to be hard to believe that he can turn things around.
2. Michael Gallup
What is going on with Michael Gallup?
The ex-Colorado State product looked well on his way to becoming a WR2 with a 1,100-yard campaign as a sophomore in 2019. He hasn't come close to reaching those heights since then, highlighted by his failure to even reach the 500-yard mark in 2021 and 2022.
Still, Cowboys fans believed that Gallup could turn things around. The arrival of Cooks was supposed to open up more opportunities for the 27-year-old wide receiver, especially with CeeDee Lamb still keeping opposing defenses honest.
Instead, Gallup has been doing his best 'Invisible Man' impersonation, too. The former 2018 third-rounder has turned his 32 targets into 18 catches and 204 receiving yards without a touchdown. He's also only on pace for 578 yards and although that would be an improvement over the two previous seasons, that's nowhere close to WR2 numbers.
The bar is extremely low after Gallup caught just 3-of-10 targets for 24 yards in Week 6. If he can't improve on that stat line against the Rams, I won't have much faith in him being able to bounce back this season.
The Cowboys need Gallup to produce. Failure to do so again in Week 8 should result in his usage being limited.
3. Luke Schoonmaker
Expectations are high whenever a player is drafted in the second round and that was the case for Luke Schoonmaker, who the Cowboys drafted 58th overall back in April.
Schoonmaker was seen as one of the best tight end prospects in this year's class after a productive senior year at Michigan. Not only did he prove that he could come up with big plays and score the ball, but he also showed that he was a more-than-capable run blocker.
While he's only a rookie and could improve, it's safe to say that the 25-year-old has left much to be desired.
For starters, Schoonmaker has shown inconsistencies on offense. He's only caught one of six targets thrown his way for a goal-line touchdown, dropping two of the passes sent his way. And while a foot injury over the summer could be a reason behind his slow start, it's safe to say Dallas fans expected more — especially in our high-powered offense.
Schoonmaker also hasn't had the same blocking success that he did in college, constantly letting defenders get by him. His overall poor play has resulted in a 40.7 grade on Pro Football Focus, ranking third-worst among 68 qualified TEs.
Do I think Schoonmaker is a bust? Not yet, but it's clear that he might not be ready for the role he's in. He needs to step things up to prove that he isn't a liability and that he's capable of finishing the year as the Cowboys' TE2.
4. Malik Hooker
Veteran safety Malik Hooker's third season with the Cowboys is shaping up to be his worst yet.
After allowing passer ratings of 80.8 and 82.9 in his first two seasons, Hooker is allowing a rate of 107.6 in 2023. He's surrendering a career-worst 28.9 yards per reception (compared to 11.0 in 2022) and has surrendered 202 receiving yards and two TDs through six games compared to 220 with two scores in 16 outings last year.
While Hooker's 69.3 PFF overall grade isn't putrid, it's down from last year's mark of 73.9. It's also worth noting that his defensive grade of 43.7 on 56 offensive snaps in Week 6 was second-worst on the team, only ahead of defensive lineman Sam Williams (41.2).
Sure, the Cowboys' secondary has earned the reputation of being one of the best in the league, but that won't continue to be the case if Hooker can't step up.
With the Rams boasting aerial threats like Cooper Kupp and Puca Nacua, Hooker must be on his game come Sunday. If he isn't and it's more of the same struggles, the Cowboys must consider how to remedy the situation.
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