2015 Fantasy Football Team Preview: Dallas Cowboys

By foxsports
Published

For your fantasy football draft prep and advice, continue to check on this page for updates regarding the Dallas Cowboys.

Team Outlook:

The Cowboys will test quite a few fantasy theories this year. Can virtually any running back have success behind an elite offensive line? Is there value in taking one of the league's most polarizing players? Is it a good idea to draft a declining, aging skill position player? The Cowboys have the potential to be a fantasy juggernaut once again, but there are plenty of questions here.

Bye Week: 6

Quarterback: Tony Romo

Players like Tony Romo are the reason why taking a quarterback early in your draft is rarely a good move. Romo always tends to hang around until the middle of drafts, even though he's almost always a top-10 scoring quarterback with very little separating him from the best options at the position. There are concerns with how Romo will hold up at age 35, but chances are he'll be overlooked and undervalued on draft day as per usual and put up strong numbers throwing to Dez Bryant and company.

Running back: Joseph Randle

Fantasy players and analysts everywhere are torn on Randle, and for good reason. Randle only had 105 carries in his first two seasons and his tape doesn't jump at you, so it's understandable why some would balk at his fourth round price. Although his talent is middling, at best, fantasy is all about opportunity. The Cowboys may have no choice but to hand Randle the ball 15 times a game, and he'll get his carries behind the best run blocking line in football. Given Darren McFadden's injury history, Randle is a strong RB2 candidate if the Cowboys commit to him.  

Running back: Darren McFadden

McFadden is a bigger name than Randle, but don't be fooled. The former Raider hasn't averaged over 3.5 yards per carry in each of his last three seasons, and injuries have sapped him of most of his explosiveness. There may still be a little juice left, but counting on McFadden to stay healthy, especially with his hamstring issues early in camp, isn't worth any substantial risk. He's a late-round flier at best, as he's unlikely to do anything but steal a few carries here and there even when healthy.   

Wide receiver: Dez Bryant

After his most productive season yet (88/1,320/16), Bryant is once again a candidate to be fantasy's top wideout. Although defenses may put more focus on him if the running game doesn't approach what it was last year, Bryant is dynamic enough to take a simple 10 yard out route to the house or sky over multiple defenders for deep balls. The volume will be there, and even with a slight regression to the gaudy 16 touchdowns he hauled in last year, Bryant should be a no-brainer top-5 WR off your draft board.

Wide receiver: Terrance Williams

Williams is an interesting sleeper pick, particularly if you think Dallas will have to throw more after losing DeMarco Murray to the Eagles. Williams has good size at 6-foot-2, and he was a red-zone threat with 8 touchdowns last year. With more targets entering the magical third season for receivers, Williams could break out, especially if Bryant misses any time or if Jason Witten continues to severely decline. He's a candidate to climb draft boards in preseason.

Tight end: Jason Witten

Witten can't really separate from defenders or do anything after the catch, but his great hands and the looks from Tony Romo still make him a valuable fantasy option. Although he's no longer worth a high pick at age 33, Witten is still a solid TE1 with low upside. He seems in line to repeat his line (64/703/5) from last year, but tight end is a barren position and Witten is as dependable as they come.  

Placekicker: Dan Bailey

Bailey is incredibly accurate, has a strong leg, plays in a dome and is involved in a great offense. He should be one of the very first kickers off your draft board, but again, don't take a kicker any earlier than the last round.

Team defense (D/ST):

The Cowboys start the season against the Giants, Eagles, Falcons, Saints and Patriots before their bye week. That's a group of potentially explosive offensive teams, which makes the Cowboys off limits until the fantasy playoffs, where they'll get the Jets and Bills in weeks 15 and 16.  Avoid them in drafts, but revisit them later in the season.

NEXT: Check out more of our 2015 fantasy football team previews.

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