These former Cowboys will be playing in the 2022 playoffs
By Jerry Trotta
The Dallas Cowboys’ star-power is a huge reason they’re in the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Between Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, Tyron Smith, Ezekiel Elliott, Zack Martin, and CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ current list of superstars knows no bounds.
That laundry list doesn’t even include rising stars Trevon Diggs, Tony Pollard, and Dalton Schultz, and established, but underrated, veterans like DeMarcus Lawrence, Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse, and Leighton Vander Esch.
Again, just an abundance of riches … which incredibly look even more impressive (we suppose on the front office) when you consider how much talent has passed through Dallas over the years: your Amari Coopers, Charvarius Wards, and Randy Gregorys, among others.
That got us thinking about which former Cowboys will be participating in the upcoming playoffs. The list could’ve been longer if not for some late-season collapses, but it still underlines the fact that Dallas’ DNA is prominent throughout the NFL.
Former Cowboys who will be in 2022 playoffs
*Chidobe Awuzie, CB & La’El Collins, OL (Bengals)
The reason we put the star symbol before Awuzie and Collins is because they won’t actually be playing for the Bengals this postseason. Unfortunately, both former Cowboys — important pieces on Cincinnati’s defense and offense — suffered torn ACLs during the course of the season and are out for the year.
A former second-round pick of the Cowboys in 2017, Awuzie was always underrated during his four-year run in Dallas. While still under-the-radar in Cincinnati, Awuzie’s more recognized as one of the game’s best cover corners.
Collins, meanwhile, is a former undrafted prospect out of LSU. Whether at guard or right tackle, there was always a spot for Collins in the Cowboys starting lineup so long as he was healthy. He’s always been inconsistent in pass protection, but you won’t find many tackles better than Collins in the running game.
Releasing Collins was a widely-panned decision amongst Cowboys pundits, but Terence Steele, also victimized by an ACL tear, didn’t skip a beat at RT before his injury. It’s a real shame neither Awuzie nor Collins will have a role to play in the Bengals’ pursuit of a championship.