(Editor's Note: Who doesn't love lists? Throughout the year, 'High 5' will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2024 season.)
One of the biggest criticisms surrounding this year's Dallas Cowboys has been the lack of a run game. Dallas is dead last in the league in both rushing yards per game and rushing yards per carry as well. Last year they were 14th in the yards per game category and ranked 9th in both 2021 and 2022.
The lack of a ground game has hamstrung Cowboys offense in multiple ways. It has taken away the threat of play action, something that Dallas has utilized heavily in the past. Dallas is running play action on just 18 percent of their passing plays. Their lowest percentage in the Next Gen Era (since 2016).
However, all hope is not lost. There are 10 games remaining this season and multiple players on the roster now that can help point the rushing attack in the right direction, either by playing more or playing better. Let's look at the five players that can turn around the league's worst rushing attack.
5) Cooper Beebe - There couldn't have been more pressure put on Beebe to start his career. Pushed into the starting role as a rookie at center after making a position change isn't easy. Beebe has done a nice job early in the season at holding his own up front and presenting a steady hand in the offensive line. But to run the football effectively, centers can't just hold their own, they need to be the enforcer at the line of scrimmage. Right now, Beebe is probably the fourth-best run blocker on the line of scrimmage, which is to be expected from a rookie. But with some more growth and experience, he could be number two or three. Completely changing how this team runs the ball moving forward.
4) Deuce Vaughn - One element that the rushing attack has been missing is a creator. Handing or throwing the ball to a creator can help elevate the ground game despite how the offensive line is playing. The players that have been given most of the carries have proven that it isn't part of their skillset. Except Deuce Vaughn. He's tallied seven carries and 20 yards this season and only 30 carries in his career. Limited touches result in limited growth from a developmental back that could have more in the tank than anyone else on the roster. Maybe it's time to use Vaughn in some creative new ways and spread defenses out.
3) Luke Schoonmaker - When Luke Schoonmaker was drafted in the 2023 second round, his scouting report touted a blocking skillset that was NFL ready and one that could be run behind. Instead, he's ranked 19 out of 24 total run blockers on the team, according to Pro Football Focus. This number is the lowest out of all the tight ends and over 63 run blocking snaps. If the Cowboys offensive line continues to require help from tight ends in the run game, Schoonmaker needs to take his blocking efficiency to the next level. That's why he was a second-round pick.
2) Zack Martin - It's crazy to even type the following words: Zack Martin has to be better. Has he been bad? Or a liability? Not really. But has he been the dominant force he's always been and a steady hand for the offensive line? Also no. There was one point in time where Martin was the best run blocker in football, now he could finish the year with his lowest run blocking and overall blocking grade of his career, according to Pro Football Focus. If Martin could improve his play, it could present new confidence on the right side of the line of scrimmage, especially since Terence Steele has been run blocking well too.
1) Rico Dowdle - As a team, the Cowboys average 3.4 yards per carry. However, there is only one running back that can boast that they have an average higher than that. Rico Dowdle is the team's leading rusher but hasn't been treated like the team's leading rusher. The Dallas Cowboys are one of two teams (Browns) who have not given at least 60 carries to at least one player on their roster, while most leading rushers have anywhere from 80-100 carries. Other than the Pittsburgh game in Week 5, which can be argued as the best Dallas win in 2024, it doesn't appear Dowdle has been given ample opportunity to prove he can carry the ground game.
