Chuck Howley and DeMarcus Ware respectfully became the 21st and 22nd Dallas Cowboys to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend.
That number, based on the primary team each player spent his career with, moves the Cowboys out of a tie with the Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders for most hall of famers by team.
Dallas also leapfrogged the rival New York Giants, moving into sole possession of fourth place.
The Cowboys now trail only the Chicago Bears (30), Green Bay Packers (28) and Pittsburgh Steelers (26) on the all-time list. All three of those franchises have existed for several more decades than the Cowboys.
And yet, it’s easy to make a case that Dallas should have more busts displayed in Canton.
Here are 13 Cowboys who could be considered for enshrinement in 2024.
Lee Roy Jordan, LB, 1963-76
There is arguably not a more deserving former Cowboy more deserving of enshrinement in Canton than Jordan.
He was the heart of the legendary Doomsday defense and ended his career as the franchise leader in solo tackles with 743. He was also great in coverage, recording 32 interceptions during his career, which ties him for seventh on the Cowboys’ all-time list. He once recorded three interceptions in a five-minute span.
Jordan was a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler. He was inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 1989.
But Jordan has only been a finalist for the Hall of Fame once in 1988. He shouldn’t be too far behind joining Howley in Canton.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones, DE, 1974-89
Too Tall was the No. 1 overall pick in 1973 and lived up to the billing.
While sacks didn’t become an official NFL stat until 1982, the 6-9, 271-pound defensive end’s official number is just 57.5. However, the Cowboys credit him with 106, placing him fourth all-time in the franchise’s history behind DeMarcus Ware, Harvey Martin and Randy White.
Too Tall spent his entire 15-season career (it would have been 16 but Jones retired for a season to pursue a boxing career) with the Cowboys, becoming one of the most recognizable personalities in franchise history.
It’s strange Jones isn’t in the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor. He’s a worthy addition both at AT&T Stadium and Canton.
Don Meredith, QB, 1960-68
Dandy Don is one of the greatest personalities the NFL has ever produced.
He was the Cowboys’ original star quarterback and helped the franchise quickly become relevant on the field. He went 47-32-4 as a starter, leading the league in yards per completion in 1965 and 1966.
Meredith threw for 17,199 yards with 135 TDs and 111 interceptions during his career. The fact he threw more TDs than interceptions is notable given the era he played.
Meredith was a three-time Pro Bowler and made the All-Pro team in 1966. He finished third in MVP voting that season.
Meredith retired at 30 years old and was still one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks when he left the game.
Then came a memorable broadcasting career as part of a memorable Monday Night Football commentary team including Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell. Meredith’s light-hearted, folksy persona was a hit.
And his singing “Turn out the lights, the party’s over” will forever be in MNF broadcasting lore.
Meredith is often referred to as the original Dallas Cowboy, signing a contract with the franchise before it had adopted a nickname, hired a head coach or even made a draft pick.
Meredith went into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 1976, but he’s never been a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite having the resume as both a player and contributor to the game.
Jason Witten, TE, 2003-18
Being consistently great has to count for something. And there isn’t a Cowboy who showed up ready for work more often than Witten.
He holds the team record for games played (239) and started (229). Witten was also a complete tight end as a reliable blocker and elite pass catcher. He wasn’t going to rack up a lot of yards after catch but Witten holds the franchise record for career receptions (1,152) and receiving yards (12,448). He was an 11-time Pro Bowler and voted All-Pro twice.
Witten was eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time in 2023, and he didn’t make the list of 15 finalists. He will eventually be invited to Canton, but Witten may continue to be put on the backburner.
Antonio Gates is eligible next season, and while team affiliation shouldn’t matter, it tends to in the case of the Cowboys, and Darren Woodson appears next in line.
Everson Walls, CB, 1981-89
Walls was a shutdown cover corner, who made a massive impact during his rookie season in 1981, intercepting 11 passes. He led the league in interceptions two other times in his career.
It didn’t take long for opposing offenses to avoid throwing toward Walls. He was a four-time Pro Bowler.
Despite having a relatively short career (nine seasons) he recorded 44 interceptions across 133 games.
Walls joined Howley as one of the nine players considered by the senior committee for Hall of Fame entry. He was not made a finalist but could be considered again next season.
Darren Woodson, S, 1992-2003
The Cowboys’ all-time leading tackler (813 solo), Woodson is the most recent entrant to the team’s Ring of Honor. Woodson was a member of all three Super Bowl winning teams in the 1990s and made three straight All-Pro teams and five straight Pro Bowls.
Woodson also has 23 interceptions and 11 sacks. He was converted from playing linebacker in college and became one of the NFL’s best safeties during his career.
Woodson was one of the 15 finalists this season and his Hall of Fame momentum seems to be gaining steam.
Harvey Martin, DE, 1973-83
It took a generational pass rusher like DeMarcus Ware to eclipse Martin’s franchise sack record.
He held the record for more than 30 years with 114 sacks, including 20 in the 1977 season. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Pro for that season. Martin was voted to four Pro Bowls and named All-Pro four times.
Playing 11 seasons with the Cowboys, Martin registered at least 7.5 sacks every year but one.
Martin would be a worthy addition to the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Cornell Green, CB, 1962-74
One of legendary scout Gil Brandt’s greatest discoveries, Green didn’t play football until he reached the NFL. He was a basketball star in college.
He became a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, recording 34 career interceptions in 182 games played. He never missed a game in 13 seasons. He’s in the Utah Basketball Hall of Fame and deserves consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well.
Green has never been a finalist and will need a member of the senior committee to take up his case.
Tony Romo, QB, 2004-16
Romo is the most polarizing player in franchise history.
Fans either love him or hate him. But the fact is he has a Hall of Fame resume in every aspect but one – postseason success.
Romo is one of the greatest undrafted free agent signings in NFL history and holds almost every Cowboys’ career passing record, including yards (34,183), touchdowns (248), fourth-quarter comebacks (24) and game-winning drives (29).
Romo ranks 11th all-time with a 97.1 career passer rating – a mark better than any other quarterback currently in the Hall of Fame.
But Romo is yet to appear on a list of finalists for induction.
Like it or not, quarterbacks are judged by Super Bowl wins. And Romo never came close to leading the Cowboys to the big game.
Jerry Jones will eventually induct Romo into the Ring of Honor, but Canton may never come calling.
Ralph Neely, OT, 1965-77
Neely became the Cowboys’ starting right tackle immediately after being drafted in 1965. He was named to the NFL’s All-Rookie team. He became a three-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler at the position.
He shifted to left tackle in 1970 and manned the position for the rest of his career. It’s hard to make hall of fame cases for offensive lineman but playing such a vital position for one of the league’s great dynasties deserves more consideration.
Neely was elected to the 1960s All-Decade team, spending his entire career of 172 games with the Cowboys.
Neely has never been a finalist for the hall and would have to be brought up by the senior committee.
Nate Newton, OG, 1986-98
The Cowboys had one of the greatest offensive lines of all time during the 1990’s. Yet only one player off that line – Larry Allen – is in the Hall of Fame.
That group deserves better representation. Unlike Allen, Newton was on all three Super Bowl champions and endured the lean years of the late 1980’s before Jerry Jones purchased the franchise.
Newton made six Pro Bowls, including five straight, and two All-Pro teams. He played in 198 games, including 180 as a starter.
Newton has had some rough moments off the field, including drug-related arrests, but he’s cleaned up his image and is a valued analyst on Dallas’ ESPN affiliate.
Newton has never been a finalist for the Hall of Fame, but someone needs to bring up his name.
George Andrie, DE, 1962-72
Andrie ranks as one of the most underrated players in franchise history.
He recorded at least 10 sacks in six straight seasons, including a league-best 18.5 in 1966. He made five straight Pro Bowls and was voted second-team All-Pro in 1967.
Andrie finished his career with 98.5 sacks, ranking him fifth in franchise history. He was noted for having his best performances in big games.
He’s yet another player worthy of being considered for the Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame.
Charlie Waters, S, 1970-81
The back end of the Doomsday defense was special.
Waters teamed with Cliff Harris to give the Cowboys one of the best safety duos in the NFL. Harris has earned more acclaim after his stellar career, but Waters deserves more love than he’s received.
In 12 seasons for the Cowboys, Waters had 41 career interceptions and appeared in 25 playoff games. He was a two-time All-Pro in 1977 and 1978 and three-time Pro Bowler.
Harris is in the Ring of Honor and was the senior committee’s 2020 selection for Hall of Fame induction.
Waters is worthy of the same consideration.