Dallas Cowboys 2024 Awards: The bright spots amid an unexpectedly disastrous season

I know what you're thinking: Awards? For the Dallas Cowboys? Are you out of your freaking mind?

And I totally understand that. But truth be told? There are some players who deserve to be recognized even though the season didn't pan out quite like the Cowboys wanted in 2024. So instead of taking the bitter approach to New Year's Eve, I thought it would be a fun exercise to acknowledge the bright spots of the year.

Let's dive in! 

MVP: Micah Parsons

Despite missing four games of the regular season, Micah Parsons is currently sixth in pressures and his pass rush win rate. If there was someone who consistently made an impact when on the field, it was Parsons.

Upon his return from injury midseason, Mike Zimmer's defense began looking unbelievably better thanks to his mere presence on the field. 

Dawg of the year: CeeDee Lamb

We had to award Lamb, who kept showing up despite a banged up shoulder and at times was the only reliable pass catcher on offense. Before Week 16, Lamb ranked third in the NFL in both receptions (101) and receiving yards (1,194) despite playing with Cooper Rush at QB since Week 10. 

He buried all the narratives about him having the wrong attitude. 

Most fun player of the year: DeMarvion Overshown

Although a brutal season-ending injury makes this a painful award, Overshown is so deserving of it. Not only did he prove he belongs in the NFL, he was playing at an All-Pro caliber. In his first year of actually playing in the regular season, Overshown was making plays left and right defending the run, covering the pass, and rushing quarterbacks when given the chance. 

His future might be blurry right now but provided he makes a healthy return, we're talking best-in-the-league potential here. 

Breakout player of the year: Rico Dowdle

Don't underestimate just how good Dowdle has been this year. He'll finish the year 12th in success rate and had he gotten more opportunities to run the ball, he would've been closer to the NFL rushing leaders in total yardage. 

As soon as the Cowboys began to really lean on him, we saw his best football. He showed true RB1 potential with outstanding vision and patience to hit holes with aggression while also having a knack for yards after contact. 

Play of the year: KaVontae Turpin

I don't even have to get into the details here, do I? Turpin returned a 99-yard kickoff for a touchdown by hitting the nastiest spin move of the year and reaching 21.35 miles per hour against the Commanders.