3 Cowboys Players Who Surprised Fans in a Big Way This Season

The Dallas Cowboys don't have a ton to smile about, as their 7-8 season will almost certainly end without a playoff appearance, but that isn't to say the 2019 campaign hasn't been without some simply excellent performances from some unheralded players. On both sides of the ball, these three players have had the best years of their career, even as Jason Garrett struggled to hold onto his job.

3. CB Chidobe Awuzie

The third-year corner out of Colorado continues to shine on the outside, as he has established himself as one of the best outside corners in the NFC. Awuzie has set new career-highs in tackles with 74 and passes defended with 12, and he's helped the Cowboys defense continue to remain a solid unit, even as Demarcus Lawrence has struggled and Leighton Vander Esch has battled injury. Next year, we'll see if he jumps from solid corner to star or elite corner.

2. WR Michael Gallup

The 2018 third-round pick out of Colorado State showed plenty of promise as a rookie, and Kellen Moore's pass-happy offense has unlocked Gallup's full potential. With Amari Cooper on the other side of him, Gallup has caught 61 balls for 1,007 yards and three touchdowns in his second year in the league, recording 75 or more yards in a game six times this season. Gallup would be a No. 1 wideout on plenty of other teams, and Dallas should view him as a building block piece for the future.

1. QB Dak Prescott

Much was made about Prescott's value as a quarterback ahead of his impending contract decision, and the price tag has only gone up after this season. Prescott has set numerous career-highs, including passing yards (4,599), yards per attempt (8.2), and touchdown passes (26). While those gaudy numbers haven't provided as much in the way of wins as Dallas would have liked to see this season, Prescott has squashed any concerns that he isn't a franchise quarterback.