Dallas Cowboys: 5 players that must step up in 2021

The Dallas Cowboys head into the 2021 season with optimism regarding these players

The 2020 season was a messy one. It consisted of uncertainties, stress, and injuries. The Dallas Cowboys suffered from all three, but more so from the latter.

Every season, players need to take a step up to help the team play at its best. This upcoming season is no different. Who on the Cowboys needs to step up in 2021?

He missed the first six games of the 2020 season, coming off of the commissioner’s list. His long-awaited return was as expected. Randy Gregory played well but will be relied on more this season.

His stat line is not appealing, but it was good considering his share of snaps. He played more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps in a game in only two of the ten games he played. He made 21 tackles with four for a loss of yards and sacked the quarterback 3.5 times.

I’m sure most people would agree with me in saying he played better than his stats show. The troubled lineman routinely got off of blocks.

His 16 total pressures mean he interrupted a passing play 1.6 times per game. With more snaps, that number would be higher.

Luckily for him starting edge rusher, Aldon Smith is not expected to return to the Cowboys. However, head coach Mike McCarthy did say he has not moved on from the lineman yet. Smith’s departure would mean Gregory is the next man up to get starting snaps.

He previously had 6.0 sacks and 25 tackles in 14 games three seasons ago. Gregory can be that player again this season.

The entire defense was a mess, and he missed six games, along with backup snaps. What we have seen from the lineman is that he can play as an impact player.

The duo of him and linemate DeMarcus Lawrence can pressure the quarterback and defend the run efficiently. Last season wasn’t the best group performance, but you must look at the positives.

No, Randy Gregory doesn’t need to play at a Pro Bowl level, but he needs to play like a reliable defensive end. That’s not a far fetch for him.

His 2.1 tackles and 0.35 sacks per game in 2020 would give him 36 tackles and 6.0 sacks in the new 17-game format. That’s with playing only 57 percent of the defensive snaps. It will likely increase to 60-65 percent this season.

If Gregory plays the same way he did this past season, he will succeed. With the players around him playing better under new coaches, Randy Gregory will finish the plays when he wins a battle. His contract expires after the season, so cashing in could motivate a big season.