Ranking the Dallas Cowboys best players from 46-36
By Tyrone Starr
![LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Blake Countess #24 of the Los Angeles Rams tackles Blake Jarwin #89 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of a presason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Blake Countess #24 of the Los Angeles Rams tackles Blake Jarwin #89 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of a presason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthelandryhat-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F05-2F830933134-850x560-a929932a8b71ae85992ff195e4d1f15c0bf357c95b31e6ce8998502ffb160104.jpg)
After watching the NFL Network conclude their top 100 players list from the 2017 season, I decided to rank the 53 best Dallas Cowboys from bottom to top.
Welcome to the second installment of a series ranking the best players, from bottom to top, of the Dallas Cowboys. This series was born from the the NFL Network’s annual ridiculousness of naming the league’s top 100 players from the prior season.
On Sunday, we got things going with players 53 through 47. Most of the players in that range were either rookies or second year guys. Today, we will take a look at players 46 through 36.
This group will not consist of any rookies, but does include a few veterans that will be fighting for roster spots. Without any further ado, let’s get to the list.
46. Justin March-Lillard
45. Joe Thomas
44. Charles Tapper
43. Geoff Swaim
42. Noah Brown
41. Datone Jones
40. Jamize Olawale
39. Rod Smith
38. Blake Jarwin
37. L.P. Ladouceur
36. Damien Wilson
Three linebackers show up in this range. JML, Thomas and Wilson will all likely make the team but none will start unless there is an injury. Wilson is the most accomplished of the trio, with 15 career starts. The other two’s best strength comes in the special teams arena.
Another interesting camp battle will involve Tapper and Jones. Tapper cannot seem to stay healthy, however his talent is alluring. Jones seems to continue to improve through hard work and will be a tough cut to make. Currently, there are 11 defensive linemen with a real shot at making the team.
Spoiler alert: The Dallas Cowboys will not keep 11 defensive linemen.
Tapper and Jones will not be both make this roster unless there is a rash of injuries. That’s part of what makes August so fun.
As for Brown, he has some potential to earn more playing time in 2018, due to the Dallas Cowboys lack of star power at wide receiver. Brown is already an accomplished blocker on the perimeter. More opportunities in the passing game would be.
Next: Dallas Cowboys - 30 greatest players in franchise history
The rest of this group includes fringe starters or key backups. Either Swaim or Jarwin will be your starting tight end. IF the Cowboys employ a fullback in the starting lineup, Olawale will be your man. Smith should be the backup to Ezekiel Elliott.
So, there you have it. Dallas Cowboys 36-53 have been revealed. Check back in next week for players 35-26.