5 breakout stars to watch for Dallas Cowboys in 2020

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 15: Tony Pollard #20 of the Dallas Cowboys breaks a tackle by Troy Reeder #51 of the Los Angeles Rams on a run in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 15, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

The Dallas Cowboys figure to be in a tight race in the NFC East and these five breakout candidates could make the difference in 2020.

When you think of the Dallas Cowboys you can see a roster that is loaded with top-end talent. The new triplets of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper are the headliners on offense while DeMarcus Lawrence and Leighton Vander Esch star on defense.

That talent should keep Dallas in the mix with the Philadelphia Eagles throughout the year, but they could use some star turns from others to win the division outright. Let’s take a look at the five biggest breakout candidates for the Cowboys, beginning with running back Tony Pollard.

5. RB Tony Pollard

Elliott still carries the mail for the Cowboys, but most teams these days are most effective with a solid change-of-pace back. Tony Pollard got only 86 carries for Dallas in 2019 but made the most of them, rushing for 455 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Dallas saw Pollard average 5.3 yards per carry on just over six carries a game, which is a sign that he has real explosive ability. Pollard also has some good pass-catching skills, snagging 20 receptions for 107 yards and a score in 14 games.

The best-case scenario for the Cowboys’ backfield is for Pollard to turn into their version of Austin Ekeler, who worked as a complement to Melvin Gordon before supplanting him last season. Pollard has the skill set to be a dynamic weapon out of the backfield, which should allow Dallas to create matchup advantages all over the field.

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