(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.)
In today's NFL there's more of an emphasis on "positionless" talent and versatility among skills players than ever. Modern offensive schemes need the ability to interchange player-for-player no matter what their title reads.
And while mobile quarterbacks have dominated the term "dual threat" for years now, it's not exclusive to those behind center. For example, the Cowboys utilize CeeDee Lamb as a threat at times, both as a receiver and a ball carrier. KaVontae Turpin will line up in the backfield, despite being labelled as a receiver and return specialist.
Dallas has some of the best in the NFL at doing that on their schedule, especially in a matchup like this week's against Baltimore. Let's look at the top five "dual threat" players on the Cowboys 2024 schedule:
Honorable Mention: Jayden Daniels - The Washington QB is not actually on the list, because he's only two games into his rookie season. But if there were to be a "futures" list, he'd be on it. His ability to use his legs will challenge teams for years, as long as he can stay healthy. Last year's Heisman Trophy winner with LSU is now a legitimate threat inside the division. As soon as he gets used to the speed of play in the NFL, he's could very easily make a list like this.
5) Saquon Barkley - If injuries wouldn't have derailed his early momentum between 2019 and 2022, he'd be in the conversation as the top weapon in football. Barkley still brings a lethal cutting ability that allows him to break tackles in space, move laterally, and run effective route. That's partially why his move to the Eagles this offseason could end up being an underrated move. Dallas will continue game planning against him twice a year, but with a better supporting cast around him than he had in New York.
4) Deebo Samuel - There are so many teams that are still searching for the "next Deebo Samuel." They'll just have to keep looking, because he's proved to be one-of-a-kind. His 6-foot, 215-pound frame allows him to handle a full-time receiver and running back workload. Samuel, when healthy, is one of the most explosive players in football with over 14.5 yards per catch and a wild 6.0 yards per carry. Two numbers that should never be that high together.
3) Alvin Kamara - Some "experts" across the league thought he may have begun to regress, now in his age 29 season. But as Dallas can attest to, because of his showing in Week 2, he is still very much at the top of his game. Kamara is the definition of "dual threat." He's never finished with a 1,000-yard rushing season but has never finished with less than 435 receiving yards in a campaign. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield while also being an electrified ball-carrier has rejuvenated his career as an all-around weapon.
2) Christian McCaffrey - Another dynamic playmaker at the running back position, Christian McCaffrey has helped generate the blueprint for tailbacks in the modern NFL. With over 2,000 yards from scrimmage in 2023, his production as a running back and capable receiver is nearly impossible to replicate. Also, don't forget when he finished with a 1,000-yard rushing and receiving season back in 2019, one of three to ever do so alongside Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig. He still plays at that level, even at this point in his career.
1) Lamar Jackson - It's hard to argue that the league-leader in quarterback rushing yards, a two-time MVP, and one of the more electrifying players in the league is not at the top of the list. Jackson has come a long way from his Heisman Trophy season with Louisville and slipping to the final pick of the first round in 2018. His dynamic ability has all 31 other teams (the same ones that passed on his services) losing sleep at night trying to figure out how to gameplan against him.
