Cowboys' Two PFF Breakout Candidates Would Make Dallas Dreams Come True
FRISCO — If the Dallas Cowboys are going to take a leap from last year's dismal 7-10 result into being in the 2025 NFL playoff hunt?
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Yes, a great deal of that progress will be due to the work of team leader Dak Prescott.
This is, after all, a quarterback league.
And in addition to the highest-priced-ever Dak living up to his $60 million APY contract, other stars — Micah Parsons, Tyler Smith, CeeDee Lamb, DaRon Bland and their ilk — must also excel.
But what about the lesser lights?
Pro Football Focus' "NFL Show" is identifying at least one player from each franchise who is poised for a breakout season in 2025.
And in Dallas' case, PFF came up with two players.
Dalton Wasserman tabbed second-year offensive lineman Cooper Beebe as the Cowboys breakout candidate.
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Trevor Sikkema went with veteran free agent running back Javonte Williams.
Wasserman calls Beebe, who made the transition from college guard to NFL center and quickly became a starter last year, an 'anchor.'
Sikkema concedes that former Denver Broncos starting back Williams has long been one of his picks to click in this regard ... so maybe there's some bias there.
But here's the bottom line about PFF's thoughts: Let's say they're right. Let's say they're even kind of right ...
And that Beebe (who was a third-round pick in the 2024 draft) doesn't exactly "break out'' but that he improves greatly from his solid rookie season.
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And the same with Javonte (who was a second-round pick in the 2021 draft), that he experiences an impactful season similar to his rookie year in Denver, when he recorded 203 carries for 903 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and four rushing touchdowns, plus 43 catches for 319 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
If Beebe is better and if Williams is that? If they experience "career years'' (even though relatively modest ones)? It won't have to all be on Dak, Micah, Tyler Smith, CeeDee, DaRon and their ilk. And the Cowboys won't be dismal in 2025.
Related: Cowboys Trade Of Micah Parsons To Patriots Rumor Gets NFL Insiders Traction
Related: Cowboys' Dak 'Haters' Blood Boiling With Experts' Top-10 QB Ranking
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
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