The Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs last season, but that was due in large part to injuries to QB Tony Romo. The Cowboys are expected to return to the playoffs this season, but need a few players to step up this season for that to happen. Here are the three players that will make or break the Cowboys' 2016 season:
3) Benson Mayowa
Mayowa is still a bit of an unknown. An undrafted free agent out of Idaho, he played for the Raiders the last two seasons. He's recorded just two career sacks. There's pass rushing potential with the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Mayowa, and it's why the Cowboys gave him a three-year, $8.25 million deal.
The Cowboys NEED to find a defensive end to help rush the passer, especially with Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence suspended for the first four games of the season. Someone will need to get to the QB, especially early in the season. Unless last year's fifth round pick Ryan Russell, who has hardly played, fills that role, the Cowboys are going to have to bank on Mayowa.
2) Terrance Williams
Last year was supposed to be Williams' breakout season. He was fresh off an eight touchdown season and all signs pointed to his third year being his best. That wasn't the case. Dez Bryant went down with an injury and Williams struggled as the No. 1 WR, although the terrible QB play hurt him. With Romo now healthy, it's time for Williams to become a reliable No. 2 WR. He's shown flashes with big plays, but isn't consistent enough yet. He's in a contract year, and it might be now or never for Williams.
1) Tony Romo
Romo was limited to just four games in 2015 after breaking his clavicle twice, but had offseason surgery to make the bone stronger. In the season before his injury, Romo was one of the best quarterbacks in the league, passing for 3,705 yards with 34 touchdowns and just nine interceptions - while completing 70 percent of his passes. If Romo is anywhere near the form he was in 2014, the Cowboys still have a championship-caliber leader to follow. If he can't, well, we say what happened last year.
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