Pieces of the Playbook: 3 players who might have their number called in 2023

With the NFL drafting looming near, I recently went through the entire depth chart for the Dallas Cowboys pinpointing possible areas of need after a very productive and positive offseason by the front office. Finally.

Before we see who the Cowboys will add to the roster via the draft in a few weeks, three returning players could see their role increase during the 2023 season.

Now look, I know I am going to miss some guys, and that is okay, but these are the three that jumped off the screen for me.

Let me know what you think.

RB Malik Davis

The first player that jumps off is Malik Davis.

An undrafted free agent from the University of Flordia, Davis was the third-string running back a year ago. And he impressed during training camp last season to grab that spot.

Davis appeared in 12 games last season for the Cowboys. He shined when being used as a pass catcher, making six grabs for 63 yards and rushing 38 times for 161 yards and one touchdown.

This is important, and he could be a solid backup if asked.

Right now, the team will roll with Tony Pollard as the clear-cut starter, no surprise. With Ezekiel Elliott now released, Davis could battle with newly signed Ronald Jones.

Bijan Robinson has been the talk of the town. If he is there at 26, the Cowboys will probably take him.

If that does happen, we can revisit this. For now, I would love to see Davis have an increased role in 2023.

The Cowboys are signing RB Ronald Jones. The two-time Super Bowl champion was a second-round pick in 2018. Dallas’ current RBs are Tony Pollard, Malik Davis, Rico Dowdle and Jones. They are still expected to draft a RB next month

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 21, 2023

S Israel Mukuamu

Israel Mukuamu is a player I like a TON. He is too talented to be slotted as the team’s fourth safety.

Mukuamu was drafted in the sixth round last year, and with Donovan Wilson returning to the team on his new deal, I would LOVE to see him get reps at cornerback.

Yes, playing corner is trickier than safety, but if one player on the current roster could make the transition, my bet is that it would be him.

He has the size and ball skills and is physical enough to do it.

He would need to improve two essential things, technique and experience, which is obvious. It wouldn’t hurt to try to get him on the field, though.

This defense is now loaded with the team trading for Stephon Gilmore, and he could see some reps covering someone when teams spread them out.

If he is on the roster, there is no point for the team’s most improved player from last year to sit on the sidelines.

With the #Cowboys bringing back Donovan Wilson, I wonder if Israel Mukuamu will see more reps at cornerback this year.

He is way too talented to be the fourth safety on the roster.

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 14, 2023

WR Jalen Tolbert

Yes, I am going here. Jalen Tolbert with the No. 88 in the 2022 NFL draft. I included him; I loved the pick.

I haven’t loved it since about the midway point of last year’s season.

What is going on??

For as bad as that wide receiver room was to start in 2022, he couldn’t even see the field? Maybe the jump from South Alabama to the Cowboys was that hard.

I am not giving up on him yet, even with Brandin Cooks coming over via trade; if he can understand the playbook, Tolbert could help this team. He could benefit from the likes of CeeDee Lamb and Cooks.

Michael Gallup needs to get back to form, the form he was when he produced over 1,000 yards just a couple of years ago.

I hope he makes a jump in his second year.

I expect the Cowboys to take a wide receiver at some point beyond the first round in this month’s draft, but Tolbert should be the first with a chance to be the No. 4 guy on this team.

What do you think about these three players, and who do you think will see increased playing time in 2023 for Dallas?