The 3 All-Pros of the Dallas Cowboys’ special teams unit

by Jul 5, 2025
3 mins read

Debates around Dak Prescott and the offense, and the true fortitude of the defense, will follow Dallas around no matter what. However, when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys’ special teams, there should never be any questioning.

Even with their slew of All-Pros, the ST unit may reign supreme as the most effective and strong aspect of the 2025 roster.

We have seen this group progress over the last few years as the organization tried to transition from the Dan Bailey, Chris Jones, and L.P. Ladouceur era to a totally new, and equally reliable, trio.

They have done that and more, and found their way to one of the best kick returners in franchise history in the process.

In short, Dallas has used small contracts and big gambles to create one of the best special teams units in the entire league. With 3 All-Pros returning to the group in 2025, it’s time we showed them some love.


Bryan Anger: 36-Year-Old Is Still Going Strong

When former California Golden Bear and 2012 3rd round pick, Bryan Anger, joined the Cowboys, his most recent seasonal punt averages came in at 44.0, 45.0, 46.5, and 46.4.

Four years later, he has never had a season below 48.4 in Dallas.

That is a huge increase in the punting world, especially when you consider Anger’s prior statistical consistency. His previous career high was 47.8 in Jacksonville; now, his new personal best is 51.4, and his old high number would be a step back for him.

The Cowboys rewarded Anger with a two-year extension this March, which, if completed, would likely slot him inside the franchise’s top-five all-time in total punts.

What seemed like a generic, boring pick-up to succeed Jones, the team’s longest-tenured punter, has become a steal of a contract that keeps on giving.


KaVontae Turpin: New Money, Same Dominant Ability

Let me put this in really simple terms: no primary returner has ever received a contract as large as the one KaVontae Turpin signed this offseason.

Coming in at three years, $13.5M, Turpin broke the all-time returner record with ease and positioned himself as a key part of the Cowboys’ overall roster. After all, he is now an All-Pro, 2x Pro Bowler, and the reigning return yards leader in the NFL.

Turpin, 28, was a total shot in the dark by Dallas. He had never played a snap in the league until they brought him over; the front office was banking on a USFL MVP.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1860791407088156781

The risk has more than paid off, as Turpin has become a Cowboys’ special teams star alongside their kicker.

As he continues to improve offensively, there is no telling where Turpin’s ceiling could end up. He is as good as it gets in the return game, and that should only continue heading into 2025.


Trey Lance finds the end zone, Brandon Aubrey finds another record in Vegas victory 1

Brandon Aubrey: The Star Of The Special Teams Show

Last but certainly not least, we have the single best kicker in football, former soccer player and 2x All-Pro Brandon Aubrey.

When Dallas signed him, he was a complete no-name to fans; he, too, had only been in the USFL, and there was no thought that he could become an elite NFL kicker.

Two seasons, an 89.4% field goal success rate, and a 65-yard bomb later, and Aubrey has cemented himself as the next top dog in the NFL kicking world. The Cowboys’ special teams has a legitimate weapon with him.

As he enters the final year of his deal, Dallas’s fans should not overlook him as an extension must. It would make no sense to risk losing his skills.

The Cowboys’ kicking game will be near, or at the top, of every statistical category this season thanks to Aubrey. Perhaps it’s time to reward him for that with a new contract that keeps him in Dallas long-term.

Mark Heaney

Mark Heaney

Mark Heaney is a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan and Junior Writer for Inside The Star. He has written for sites such as FanSided, Whole Nine Sports, and Downtown Sports Network as an NFL Draft analyst and Cowboys writer. He started covering college football and the NFL in 2018 and has scouted over 1,000 draft prospects since. Mark is currently studying at UNC Charlotte and has worked as an intern for the Charlotte 49ers football media team.

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