3 hidden gems on the Dallas Cowboys offense in 2021

The Dallas Cowboys have an entire holster of offensive weapons. Considering that they are loaded with talent at wide receiver, have thunder, Ezekiel Elliott, and lightning, Tony Pollard, as a proven running back combo, and a healthy offensive line, it is hard to wonder what else may be needed. That is what makes the NFL so unpredictable yet special.

In a 17-game season, there will be injuries, fluke games, and just plain weird circumstances. At least one or two games will be decided by an unsung hero that doesn’t take up the spotlight or receive the headlines. Let’s take a look at some potential unlikely contributors.

Simi Fehoko – WR

The Cowboys spent their 179th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on a big-bodied wide receiver from Stanford, Simi Fehoko. This may appear a curious contributor on the surface, but there is more than meets the eye. Fehoko is bringing multiple aspects to the Cowboys that they do not currently have.

The top three receivers, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb, should combine for roughly 3,000 yards. They won’t be dethroned. What Fehoko can do is take off some pressure in the red zone.

Coming in at 6-foot-4 and nearly 225 pounds, the former Stanford Cardinal is a big-bodied presence with the ability to make acrobatic catches. Fehoko can go up and get a fade route or out-muscle a smaller defensive back in a mismatch.

My gut tells me the Cowboys didn’t spend a pick here only to have him miss the active roster. Noah Brown has shown us what he is made of and his seat might just be getting a little hot with Fehoko being younger and providing special teams ability.

I don’t think Fehoko explodes onto the scene by any means in an already crowded WR room, but this is one area that some hidden output could steal a game or two if he can reel in a touchdown in an unlikely moment.

Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz – TE

The Dallas Cowboys tight ends, Dalton Schultz and Blake Jarwin, always seem to be a decisive topic within the fan base. Some believe they are begging to be an explosive tandem while others feel they are two bodies that are plugged in. I feel the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Schultz was thrust into action in 2020 after a season-ending knee injury to Jarwin. It would be hard to call his season anything less than pleasant. Contributing 63 receptions, 615 yards, and four touchdowns with an ever-changing quarterback at the helm gives me a lot of confidence in Schultz.

Jarwin won’t concede the top spot easily, though. He is said to be nearing 100 percent for training camp and vying for his top spot on the depth chart. Healthy competition battle, anyone?

Between the two tight ends, the snap counts and targets will likely be split to some extent. And that is okay. The Cowboys don’t need a 1,000-yard season from the tight end.

They need first downs and an occasional chunk down the seam against teams who try to match linebackers against them in man coverage. That is how these two secretly keep this offense churning.

My guess is that a successful 2021 campaign from Schultz and Jarwin gives the Cowboys 700 receiving yards and four or five touchdowns.  If one of these two can steal a score down the seam after the wide receivers have opened up the defense that could be the secret to stealing a game.

The Dallas offense is high-powered when you look at it at surface level. The numbers will be there for the top dogs. Toss in a little production from some unlikely hidden gems and this offense adds another layer of depth to its already potent attack.