The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of big names, but who could be the breakout player this season? The fun part about this is we know the stars are going to eat, but who will shine alongside them?
It is the players sitting right there on the edge of a bigger role.
Every year, somebody pops off. We always have that one player we think “he might help”, or “well, shoot, Dallas might really have something here.” That is exactly what I’m looking for in this group.
For me, the Cowboys have three breakout candidates worth watching in 2026: Ryan Flournoy, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Marist Liufau.
And if I had to bet on one, I’m riding with Ryan Flournoy.
Ryan Flournoy has the Clearest Path
I love the way the Cowboys’ wide receiver room sets up for Ryan Flournoy.
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are the big dogs, and they are going to eat. Jake Ferguson is going to get his looks over the middle. Which means Flournoy does not have to walk into 2026 and save the whole season by himself.
He just has to win his matchups and he proved that he could last season.
Flournoy finished the 2025 season with 40 catches, 475 yards, and four touchdowns, and now the role of WR3 should be his to lose. Those may not sound like massive numbers, but for a player who was still carving out his role, those numbers are a big stepping stone.
If defenses want to roll coverage toward Lamb, go right ahead. Shading towards Pickens, that’s fine too. That will leave Flournoy working against nickel corners, safeties, and linebackers.
I’ll take that matchup all day and twice on Sunday.
My Ryan Flournoy Stat 2026 Prediction
My stat prediction for Ryan Flournoy is 58 catches, 710 yards, and six touchdowns.
Now, I know some folks will look at that and say, “That isn’t superstar production.”
No kidding. That’s not what I’m trying to say.
A breakout season does not always mean a player turns into an All-Pro overnight. Sometimes a breakout is a guy becoming dependable, a player turning into a weekly problem. Sometimes it’s just a guy who the defenses have to account for now.
I think that is exactly what Ryan Flournoy can become. I don’t need him to get 10 targets a game, but five or six, who thought I was going with 6-7, good looks and making them count is what I want.
That’s why Flournoy is my top Cowboys breakout candidate for 2026.
Donovan Ezeiruaku Could be the Defensive Breakout
If I’m picking one defensive player who makes a big jump, Donovan Ezeiruaku is the name I have to choose.
Sometimes young pass rushers can get buried when they are asked to do too much too fast. I don’t think Dallas has to put that kind of weight on Ezeiruaku this year. With more bodies around him on the edge, he should be able to settle into a role and grow as the season goes on.
I just want to see him play fast, get after the quarterback, and turn pressures into sacks.
My stat prediction for Ezeiruaku is 54 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss,10.5 sacks, and I’ll throw in two forced fumbles.
That would be a heck of a breakout, but I can see it in this new defensive scheme.
And if the Cowboys are going to make noise defensively, they need Donovan Ezeiruaku to step up his game this season.
Marist Liufau is My Wild Card
Then there is Marist Liufau, who is my wild card of the bunch.
I like the idea of moving him closer to the line of scrimmage and that is exactly what’s going to happen this year. Liufau is at his best when he can attack downhill, chase the ball, and blitz.
I don’t want him thinking too much, I want him hunting.
With Dallas leaning into more of a 3-4 look. Liufau could finally have a role that fits what he does best. I’m not saying he’s about to turn into Micha Parsons, but I do think he could become a useful piece if the Cowboys let him play to his strengths.
My stat prediction for Liufau is 52 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, four sacks, and one forced fumble.
That wouldn’t make him a star overnight, but it would be a breakout season for him. And for a player still trying to prove he fits long-term, that is a big deal.
Why Flournoy is Still My Favorite Pick
Even with Ezeiruaku and Liufau in the mix, I keep picking Ryan Flournoy.
The Cowboys have stars, they have veterans, and they have new pieces. But every good team needs that one guy who has a breakout season.
That’s exactly what I think Flournoy could be.
He has the size, the toughness, and most importantly, the opportunity to carve out a role where he doesn’t have to be perfect to make an impact.
If Flournoy hits the 58 catches, 710 yards, and six touchdown range, Dallas suddenly has one of the more dangerous receiver rooms in the NFC.
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