For the Dallas Cowboys to be successful and have tangible success deep into the winter months, the team has to be better from top to bottom. Preparation is paramount as the team enters this season on a clean slate. Sure, the Cowboys will have to count on its stars to carry the burden, such as Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons. However, this year, the Cowboys have several other players that are vital to their success. Here are five players the team is relying on this season.

1. Ezekiel Elliott

The Cowboys didn’t take a runner during the draft and chose not to go after Derrick Henry and Joe Mixon, who were available. Elliott is easily the most decorated runner on the roster and has the most experience. Elliott has lost a few steps and is now in his ninth NFL season, but one thing he can still do is pick up blocks in pass protection.

The Cowboys will likely feature two new starters along the offensive line, and there will be growing pains. Elliott’s pass protection will be important if the team hopes to provide quarterback Dak Prescott with adequate protection. Expect Elliott to resume his role as the goal-line runner to resolve the team’s issues with finishing drives in the red zone, albeit at the expense of less-than-efficient running between the 20s. With Elliott on the depth chart is an enticing Rico Dowdle, an unproven Deuce Vaughn, and journeyman Royce Freeman. Zeke will play a big role for 2024.

2. Juanyeh Thomas

Last year’s starting safety, Jayron Kearse, is a free agent, and the Cowboys seem content to move on past the veteran safety at this stage in the offseason. Juanyeh Thomas was an undrafted free-agent pickup for the Cowboys in 2022, but he has shown traits that make him an appealing option to replace Kearse in a three man rotation. For starters, Thomas has a prototypical size at 6’3 “, 217 lbs.

Presently, Thomas is listed on the depth chart as a reserve safety behind Malik Hooker, but the Cowboys have been known to play with three safeties on the field. Since earning a roster spot, Thomas has demonstrated that he can play the middle of the field as a robber in certain coverages, reading the eyes of the quarterback to make plays on the football and assisting in run support. Should something happen to Hooker, or Donovan Wilson, expect Thomas to take on an even more prominent role. Thomas also will be asked to continue to contribute to special teams.

3. Jalen Tolbert

Earlier this offseason, the team released receiver Michael Gallup. Gallup suffered a knee injury in the final year of his rookie contract, and afterward, it was never the same. Despite being handed a sizable five-year, $62.5M contract in 2022, the Cowboys still hedged their bet by taking Jalen Tolbert in the third round of the draft that same year. Even before Gallup’s release, the writing had been on the wall for some time, with signs pointing towards Gallup relinquishing his role as the third wide receiver to Tolbert at some point.

Last season, Tolbert played 40% of the offensive snaps versus 52% for Gallup. With Gallup now with the Las Vegas Raiders , Tolbert likely assumes the third receiver role but needs to hold it. Tolbert produced a modest 268 yards on 22 receptions. Now in his third year with the team, it’s a make-or-break for Tolbert and his long-term standing with the Cowboys. Expect CeeDee Lamb to get extra attention from defensive coordinators after his record-setting 2023 season, and with Brandin Cooks a year older, Dallas needs Tolbert to step up and cash in on his potential.

4. Marist Liufau

Talk about having to grow up fast. Rookie linebacker Marist Liufau has to be a quick learner and will be needed immediately. The Cowboys are arguably the thinnest on their roster at linebacker. Under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, they didn’t emphasize the position as much because they used bigger safeties interchangeably at the position. Consequently, the Cowboys were smaller down in the box and needed help defending the run.

With the new defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, you can be assured that there will be a renewed focus on linebackers. Dallas added Eric Kendricks to provide a veteran presence to replace Leighton Vander Esch. Liufau is a third-round pick who will get some run as the SAM linebacker in Zimmer’s defense. It’s a big ask of a rookie to step in and contribute to returning the run defense to form, and hopefully, the rookie linebacker can handle those responsibilities.

5. Caelen Carson

The youth movement is in full effect. You can make a case that Marshawn Kneeland should also be on this list, but the truth is that Dallas has a lot of uncertainty at cornerback. While there may be some interest in re-signing Stephon Gilmore, there has yet to be any progress from either side to strike a deal, and at this stage of the offseason, it’s improbable that it will happen. The Cowboys unearthed a gem last season, with DaRon Bland leading the league in interceptions, returning five for a touchdown, and setting an NFL record.

However. with Trevon Diggs recovering from an ACL tear last season. it’s unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season. That means there is a chance someone will have to play significant minutes at corner at the beginning of the season. Jourdan Lewis is on the team but is more of a slot corner. That leaves Nashon Wright and Caelen Carson as the likely choices. Wright enters his fourth season with the team but has struggled when isolated against receivers. He is better suited as a special teamer.

Meanwhile, many considered Carson a steal when he was taken late in the fifth round with a compensatory selection. Based on his ball skills and where he was taken in the draft, Carson has drawn comparisons to Bland. Let’s hope that Carson is ready for the responsibility if it comes to that.