3 Cowboys who could be NFL Award candidates for the 2022 season

1. Dak Prescott, Most Valuable Player

Through the first six weeks of last season, Dak Prescott was a top-three candidate for league MVP. But, after the calf injury he suffered against the Patriots in Week 6, he never seemed to be the same. I expect to see the Prescott from the first half of the season again in 2022.

Over that span of games, Prescott was throwing for 302 yards per game, along with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. The Cowboys were also 5-1, and team success will always play a large factor in league MVP.

Prescott is coming into this offseason fully healthy. He should have no concerns over the shoulder or calf injuries that limited him last season. His health is the most important factor for the Cowboys and his MVP chances.

This will be the first season since 2018 that Prescott will not be throwing the ball to Amari Cooper, who has been his number one target over the past few seasons. So for the Cowboys’ offense to be back in the top five, the QB1 will need to have success without Cooper. Luckily, he has a budding star in CeeDee Lamb and eventually a healthy Michael Gallup that can fill the void.

Prescott is also expected to utilize his legs more this season, per Mike McCarthy, which will only increase his stats.

That could be a big factor in how Prescott can impact the game. Through the first five years of his career, the Mississippi State product was averaging close to five rushing touchdowns per season. Last year he only had one. If Prescott can utilize his legs more that would do wonders for the offense and his MVP candidacy.