3 Cowboys in contract years who are primed for big seasons in 2023

2. Terence Steele

Remember Week 1 of last season when Terence Steele got destroyed for committing four (!) penalties against the Buccaneers? He had more penalties than the entire Tampa Bay team, three on one drive and three false starts.

The performance surprised just about everyone as Steele committed just three false starts in total the previous season. Sure enough, the former undrafted free agent brushed it off and rebounded with a breakout season at right tackle.

Steele is already established as en elite run-blocker, and he logged a 82.1 run-blocking grade last season, per Pro Football Focus. More notable, though, was the improvements he made in pass protection.

Across 413 pass-blocking snaps, Steele allowed one sack, 20 pressures and six quarterback hits, according to PFF. His 63.7 pass-block grade doesn't jump off the screen, but Steele passed the eye test with flying colors.

With another vigorous season following ACL surgery, Steele will be in a position to command a contract worth around $15 million per year. Given how healthy he looks already, we're not betting against the 25-year-old lineman.