Grading the Cowboys rookies four weeks into the 2022 season
We are four weeks into the 2022-23 NFL season, and the Dallas Cowboys are sitting pretty at 3-1. Much of this success is due to the entire team doing their part, with some stars also sticking out.
I could take my whole day talking about how great Micah Parsons is, how well CeeDee Lamb has been playing, or that Cooper Rush is the next Kurt Warner. However, rather than talk about the obvious, let’s talk about the crown jewel of the 2022 offseason: the draft class.
I’m going to actually take it a step further and evaluate the young guys. With three of them on the roster as well, we will dabble in what the undrafted free agents are up to. The grades given to each player will be based on their draft position, immediate expectation, and their performance thus far.
Grading the Dallas Cowboys 2022 rookies four weeks into the regular season
UDFA’s
WR/KR/PR KaVontae Turpin
One of the more surprising signings in the offseason, KaVontae Turpin was expected to come in and be a sparkplug for this team. After an MVP season in the USFL, the team decided to sign the 5’9″ speedster, immediately making him the return man for this squad.
So far, he has done a great job in the punt return game, averaging 12.4 yards per return. This ranks within the top 10 in the NFL. He also has done a solid job in kick returns as well, averaging 20.2 yards per return. Turpin has yet to make much noise on the offensive side of the ball, but he has provided some flashes of explosiveness.
Grade: B-
TE Peyton Hendershot
One of the stars of Week 3, Peyton Hendershot has been a pleasant surprise. After making the 53-man roster, the tight end out of Indiana enjoyed a solid game against the New York Giants, finishing with three catches for 43 yards.
Cowboys players sprinted for cardio on Brett Maher's first 17 kickoffs of season. All went for touchbacks. But on 18th, a mis-hit resulted in their first coverage chance. A credit to group for not lulling themselves to sleep. Rookie TE Peyton Hendershot with tackle at 18. pic.twitter.com/rgFPi4lSEV
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 3, 2022
In the small number of attempts the team has had to defend the kickoff, Hendershot also made his presence known last Sunday, making a tackle in the lone return on the day. He’s certainly exceeded expectations so far, despite how little there may have been.
Grade: B+
S Markquese Bell
Markquese Bell was the cover boy of the Cowboys’ training camp this year, but aside from that, he has yet to make much of an impact in the regular season. He sees most of his time on the field on kickoffs, but with Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker both playing really well, I’m not going to knock the UDFA for lack of playing time.
Grade: C