All-Time Teams: Dallas Cowboys

Introduction

In my endless research of all things football and through my passion for the history of the NFL, I have decided to try and compile an All-Time Team for all 32 current NFL franchises. By All-Time Team I mean a starting roster compiled of the very best players to ever put on each franchise’s jersey. I will be starting in alphabetical order by current franchise location, so Arizona Cardinals all the way to The Washington Football Team, with the goal of releasing one to two All-Time teams a week for the duration of the current NFL season. This is meant to be fun and cause some debate and is based on my opinion after all my research and deep dives into each franchise’s history. Of course, not everyone will agree with who I chose, and I’d love to hear from anyone who agrees or disagrees, but first, let’s lay out some ground rules for how I came up with each team.

1. Each team roster will consist of the following:

Offense - 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 2 OT, 2 OG, 1 C

Defense - 2 DE, 2 DT, 3 LB, 2 CB, 2 S

Special Teams - 1 K, 1 P, 1 Returner

Coach - 1 Head Coach

2. I only considered an individual’s stats and contributions with each specific franchise. For example, Peyton Manning’s years with the Broncos were not considered when deciding on the starting QB of the Colts All-Time Team. As a result, the stats and awards listed with each individual player are only those that were achieved with that specific franchise.

3. A player cannot represent two teams as the starter. Players who spent time with more than one team were considered for the franchise they spent the most time with or had the most impact on. This rule led to some interesting scenarios that I will discuss in detail with each specific article to try and clear up any confusion.

4. A player’s stats and impact were considered in context with their era. This won’t simply be a listing of who passed or ran for the most yards in franchise history.

5. All stats are from Pro-Football-Reference and through the 2021 season. I will also be counting sacks from 1960, though the NFL doesn't officially count sacks until 1982.

6. Players in the "Honorable Mentions" section are ordered by year. It's not an indication of where I believe they rank in franchise history.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to it!

Franchise Information

First Season: 1960

Record: 538-403-6 (57.17 W-L%)

Playoff Record: 35-29

Super Bowls Won: 5 (1971, 1977, 1992, 1993 and 1995) (Lost in 1970, 1975 and 1978)

Passing Leader: Tony Romo 2,829/4,335 | 34,183 Yds | 248 TD

Rushing Leader: Emmitt Smith 4,052 Att | 17,162 Yds | 153 TD

Receiving Leader: Jason Witten 1,215 Rec | 12,977 Yds | 72 TD

Sack Leader: DeMarcus Ware 117 Sk

Interception Leader: Mel Renfro 52 Int

Scoring Leader: Emmitt Smith 986 Points

Winningest Coach: Tom Landry 250-162-6

Record: 85-29 | 57 Cmp% | 22,700 Yds | 153 TD | 109 Int | 2,264 Rush Yds | 20 Rush TD | Led League in TD 1973 (23) | Led League in Yds/A 1971 and 1973 (8.9, 8.5) | Led League in Rate 1971, 1973, 1978 and 1979 (104.8, 94.6, 84.9, 92.3) | 6x Pro-Bowl (71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) | 1971 Bert Bell | 1978 Walter Payton Man of the Year | 1971 and 1977 Super Bowl Champion | 1975 and 1978 NFC Champion | Hall of Fame All-1970s Team | Hall of Fame Class 1985

This one was easier than you might think. Roger Staubach is the greatest quarterback in Cowboys history, sorry Troy Aikman. Staubach gets the edge over Aikman for being the main offensive weapon for the Cowboys who made it to four Super Bowls in the 1970s, winning two. He led the NFL in touchdowns thrown in 1973, yards per attempt in 1971 and 1973 and quarterback rating in 1971, 1973, 1978 and 1979. Staubach was named the 1971 Bert Bell Player of the Year and the 1971 Super Bowl MVP. He was named to the Hall of Fame All-1970s Team and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985. Aikman did win three Super Bowls and was a very good quarterback with the Cowboys, but Staubach was a much bigger factor in his team's success. For comparison, Staubach was in the top five in yards in six seasons, the top five in completions in four seasons and the top five in touchdowns in four seasons. Aikman was only top five in these categories once each, all in 1992. Also, don't forget that Staubach had to serve in Vietnam before playing in the NFL, so he was a 27-year-old rookie.

Honorable Mentions

4.2 Yds/A | 17,162 Yds | 153 TD | 486 Rec | 3,012 Rec Yds | 11 Rec TD | Led League in Yds 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995 (1,563, 1,713, 1,486, 1,773) | Led League in TD 1992, 1994 and 1995 (18, 21, 25) | Led League in Yds/A 1993 (5.3) | Led League in Yds/G 1992, 1993 and 1995 (107.1, 106.1, 110.8) | Led League in YScm 1993 and 1995 (1,900, 2,148) | Led League in RRTD 1992, 1994 and 1995 (19, 22, 25) | 8x Pro-Bowl (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 98, 99) | 4x All-Pro (92, 93, 94, 95) | 1990 Offensive Rookie of the Year | 1993 MVP | 1993 Bert Bell | Hall of Fame All-1990s Team | Hall of Fame Class 2010

The NFL's all-time leading rusher is obviously the first running back for the All-Time Cowboys. Smith had an insane 11 straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons from 1991-2001, including leading the league in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995. He also led the league in touchdowns three times, yards per attempt one time, yards per game three times, yards from scrimmage two times and rushing and receiving touchdowns three times. Smith made eight Pro-Bowls, four All-Pro Teams, and was named the 1990 Offensive Rookie of the Year and the 1993 MVP. He was also named to the Hall of Fame All-1990s Team and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010. Smith is one of the greatest running backs of all-time and may be the most durable back ever. Smith only missed six games in his 13 years in Dallas and that's while having over 300 carries in seven different seasons.

4.4 Yds/A | 12,036 Yds | 72 TD | 382 Rec | 3,432 Rec Yds | 13 Rec TD | 4x Pro-Bowl (78, 81, 82, 83) | 1x All-Pro (81) | 1977 Offensive Rookie of the Year | Hall of Fame Class 1994

Tony Dorsett rounds out one of the best running back duos of all the all-time teams. Dorsett has over 12,000 yards with the Cowboys to go along with Smith's 17,000. He had eight different 1,000-yard seasons in Dallas, including over 1,600 yards in 1981. He also had over 10 touchdowns in two seasons as well. Dorsett was named to four Pro-Bowls and one All-Pro Team as well as being named the 1977 Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.

Honorable Mentions

750 Rec | 11,904 Yds | 65 TD | Led League in Yds 1991 (1,523) | Led League in Yds/G 1991 and 1996 (95.2, 87.5) | 5x Pro-Bowl (91, 92, 93, 94, 95) | 1x All-Pro (91) | Hall of Fame All-1990s | Hall of Fame Class 2007

The first of three Hall of Fame wide receivers for the Cowboys is Michael Irvin. Irvin was the main receiving threat for the great Cowboy teams of the 1990s that won three Super Bowls. Irvin had six seasons over 1,000 yards, including leading the league in 1991 with 1,523. He was named to five straight Pro-Bowls from 1991-1995 and the 1991 All-Pro Team. Irvin was also named to the Hall of Fame All-1990s Team and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. His 11,904 yards rank second all-time in Cowboys history and he's easily the greatest wide receiver to ever wear a Cowboys uniform.

489 Rec | 7,822 Yds | 48 TD | Led League in Yds 1977 (870) | Led League in Yds/G 1977 (62.1) | 3x Pro-Bowl (74, 76, 77) | 3x All-Pro (74, 76, 77) | Hall of Fame All-1970s Team | Hall of Fame Class 2021

Drew Pearson finally made it into the Hall of Fame in 2021. He had to wait much longer than he should have. Pearson was the first great Cowboy to wear the number 88 and was a threat to take the top off the defense at any moment. Pearson had over 1,000 yards twice and led the league in yards in 1977. He averaged over 16 yards per reception for his career and was named to three Pro-Bowls and three All-Pro Teams. He was also named to the Hall of Fame All-1970s Team. Pearson was also the receiver on the first official Hail Mary in NFL history. I don't know what took Hall of Fame voters so long to induct him, but it's better late than never.

365 Rec | 7,295 Yds | 71 TD | Led League in Yds/Rec 1970 and 1971 (26.1, 24) | Led League in TD 1965 and 1966 (12, 13) | 3x Pro-Bowl (65, 66, 67) | 2x All-Pro (66, 68) | Hall of Fame Class 2009

Rounding out the receiving core is "Bullet" Bob Hayes. Hayes got the nickname bullet because he was the fastest man in the league, actually the fastest man in the world. He won the gold medal in the 100m and the 4x100m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, both in world record times. He was arguably the best deep threat wide receiver of his era as he averaged over 20 yards per reception on his career, including leading the league in 1970 and 1971 with 26.1 and 24 yards per reception. Hayes also had two seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards and led the league in touchdowns twice. Hayes made the Pro-Bowl in three seasons and the All-Pro Team in 1966 and 1968. He was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, unfortunately after he had already passed away.

Honorable Mentions

1,215 Rec | 12,977 Yds | 72 TD | 11x Pro-Bowl (04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17) | 2x All-Pro (07, 10) | 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year

Jason Witten is the clear choice at tight end for the All-Time Cowboys. He will be a first ballot Hall of Famer whenever he becomes eligible. He is the franchise record holder in receptions and yards, as well as ranking fourth all time in receptions and 20th all time in yards in NFL history. Witten's career receptions and yards are second all time for tight ends in NFL history, behind only Tony Gonzalez. He was named to 11 Pro-Bowls and two All-Pro Teams and is easily one of the best tight ends ever.

Honorable Mentions

Started 114 of 166 Games | 6x Pro-Bowl (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) | 3x All-Pro (71, 72, 73) | Hall of Fame All-1970s Team | Hall of Fame Class 2006

First for the offensive line is Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright. Wright was the leader on the line for the Cowboys that made five Super Bowls in the 1970s. He played in over 160 games and made six straight Pro-Bowls from 1971-1976 and three straight All-Pro Teams from 1971-1973. Wright was named to the Hall of Fame All-1970s Team and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. Seems to be a common theme that Cowboys have to wait awhile to get inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Started 144 of 144 Games | 8x Pro-Bowl (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21) | 2x All-Pro (14, 16) | Hall of Fame All-2000s Team

The other offensive tackle for the All-Time Cowboys is Tyron Smith. Smith has been one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL for the past decade. Smith made seven straight Pro-Bowls from 2013-2019 and then again in 2021. He also made the All-Pro Team in 2014 and 2016. He was named to the Hall of Fame All-2000s Team and has a good shot to make the Hall of Fame once he retires. Ralph Neely needs to get more recognition from Hall of Fame voters and Flozell Adams was also a great tackle for Dallas.

Honorable Mentions

Started 170 of 176 Games | 10x Pro-Bowl (95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 03, 04, 05) | 6x All-Pro (96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01) | Hall of Fame All-1990s Team | Hall of Fame All-2000s Team | Hall of Fame Class 2013

Larry Allen is one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history. He made ten Pro-Bowls and six All-Pro Teams during his twelve years in Dallas. Allen played in every game in all but three seasons and was named to both the Hall of Fame All-1990s and All-2000s Teams. Allen was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. This guy was a freak of nature, if you haven't already seen it, look up his highlight running down a defender and making the tackle on Thanksgiving.

Started 120 of 120 Games | 7x Pro-Bowl (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21) | 5x All-Pro (14, 16, 18, 19, 21) | Hall of Fame All-2010s Team

I originally had Nate Newton in this spot and I'm still fully in the camp that he should be a Hall of Famer, but another All-Pro season from Zack Martin was enough to supplant him here. Zack Martin has now started 120 games with the Cowboys, including starting every game in six different seasons. Martin's already been voted to seven Pro-Bowls and an outstanding five All-Pro Teams. He was rightfully named to the Hall of Fame All-2010s Team and will surely be inducted into the Hall of Fame one day.

Honorable Mentions

Started 96 of 96 Games | 5x Pro-Bowl (14, 15, 16, 17, 19) | 1x All-Pro (16)

The final member of the All-Time Cowboys offensive line is Travis Frederick. Frederick played in every single game during his six seasons in Dallas, making the Pro-Bowl in five of them and the All-Pro Team in one. I almost went with Mark Stepnoski here, but he only played in every game with Dallas in four seasons. Though he did make three Pro-Bowls and was named to the Hall of Fame All-1990s Team, so I'm not mad at anyone who disagrees with me here. Frederick was maybe the best center in the NFL for his six seasons, so I think he gets the nod here.

Honorable Mentions

2 Int | 6 FR | 114 Sk | Led League in Sk 1977 (20) | 4x Pro-Bowl (76, 77, 78, 79) | 1x All-Pro (77) | 1977 Defensive Player of the Year | Hall of Fame All-1970s Team

The first defender for the All-Time Cowboys is Harvey Martin. Martin is another Cowboy who should probably be in the Hall of Fame. He played in eleven seasons with Dallas and made the Pro-Bowl in four straight seasons from 1976-1979. Martin's best season came in 1977 when he led the league in sacks with 20, was named to the Pro-Bowl and All-Pro Team and was named Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named to the Hall of fame All-1970s Team. Martin deserves to be immortalized in the Hall of Fame.

3 Int | 19 FR | 106 Sk | 3x Pro-Bowl (81, 82, 83) | 1x All-Pro (82)

The other defensive end for the All-Time Cowboys is Ed "Too Tall" Jones. Jones played for Dallas from 1974-1989, being named to three Pro-Bowls and one All-Pro team. He played in every game in all but one season and racked up over 100 sacks. Charles Haley is in the Hall of Fame, but he spent more time with San Francisco. George Andrie is another player that seems to have been lost to history, but he was great for eleven seasons in Dallas as well.

Honorable Mentions

1 Int | 18 FR | 95.5 Sk | 11x Pro-Bowl (62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73) | 7x All-Pro (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 71) | Hall of Fame All-1960s Team | Hall of Fame All-1970s Team | Hall of Fame Class 1980

Defensive tackle is the best position for the Cowboys. They have two of the greatest to ever play the position. First up is Bob Lilly. Lilly made an insane eleven Pro-Bowls and seven All-Pro Teams. He had over ten sacks in two different seasons and was named to the Hall of Fame All-1960s and All-1970s Team. Lilly was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

1 Int | 10 FR | 111 Sk | 9x Pro-Bowl (77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85) | 7x All-Pro (78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85) | Hall of Fame All-1980s Team | Hall of Fame Class 1994

Randy White is the other defensive tackle for Dallas. He filled in for Lilly one season after he retired. White made nine straight Pro-Bowls from 1977-1985 and seven All-Pro Teams. He was named to the Hall of fame All-1980s Team and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. You'd be hard pressed to find a better defensive tackle duo on any of the other All-Time Teams.

Honorable Mention

2 Int | 32 FF | 7 FR | 117 Sk | 576 Tackles | 145 TFL | Led League in Sk 2008 and 2010 (20, 15.5) | Led League in TFL 2008, 2010 and 2011 (27, 21, 26) | 7x Pro-Bowl (06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12) | 4x All-Pro (07, 08, 09, 11) | Hall of Fame All-2000s Team

DeMarcus Ware has the most sacks in Dallas Cowboys history and is a for sure Hall of Famer once he becomes eligible. Ware led the league in sacks two different times and in tackles for loss three different times. He was named to seven straight Pro-Bowls from 2006-2012 and four All-Pro Teams. Ware was named to the Hall of Fame All-2000s Team, and I fully expect him to be a Hall of Famer.

24 Int | 17 FR | 26 Sk | 6x Pro-Bowl (65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 71) | 5x All-Pro (66, 67, 68, 69, 70)

How is Chuck Howley not in the Hall of Fame? He made six Pro-Bowls and five All-Pro Teams during his 13 seasons in Dallas. He was a leader on the defense of one of the best teams of the 1960s and 1970s and was even named Super Bowl MVP in 1970, the only player to ever be named Super Bowl MVP from the losing team. Howley deserves to be put in the Hall, I just hope he lives to see the day that it finally happens.

32 Int | 18 FR | 19.5 Sk | 5x Pro-Bowl (67, 68, 69, 73, 74) | 1x All-Pro (69)

The final linebacker for the All-Time Cowboys is Lee Roy Jordan. Jordan intercepted over 30 passes during his 14 seasons with the Cowboys. He was named to five different Pro-Bowls and one All-Pro Team. Lee Roy Jordan probably isn't quite a Hall of Fame caliber player, but he was very good for over a decade.

Honorable Mentions

52 Int | 13 FR | 2 Sk | Led League in Int 1969 (10) | 10x Pro-Bowl (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73) | 1x All-Pro (69) | Hall of Fame Class 1996

Mel Renfro is the Cowboys all-time leader in interceptions and the easy first choice at cornerback. Renfro led the league in interceptions 1969 with 10 and made ten straight Pro-Bowls from 1964-1973. He was also named to the All-Pro Team in 1969 and finally inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996. Not sure how you make ten Pro-Bowls and win two Super Bowls and then aren't a first ballot Hall of Famer.

44 Int | 3 FR | 1 Sk | Led League in Int 1981, 1982 and 1985 (11, 7, 9) | 4x Pro-Bowl (81, 82, 83, 85) | 1x All-Pro (83)

I know I keep saying this, but here's another player that deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, but for some reason he isn't. Walls led the league in interceptions three different times, three! He made four Pro-Bowls and one All-Pro Team during his nine seasons in Dallas. The only thing that I can think is hurting his Hall of Fame candidacy is that he played in between the great Cowboys eras of the 1970s and 1990s and never won a Super Bowl. You might be thinking that Deion Sanders should be in one of these spots, but he had better statistics in virtually every category in Atlanta and thus is a member of the All-Time Falcons. Though even if that weren't the case, I still would have gone with Renfro and Walls, the numbers don't lie.

Honorable Mentions

29 Int | 18 FR | 3 Sk | 6x Pro-Bowl (74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) | 3x All-Pro (76, 77, 78) | Hall of Fame All-1970s Team | Hall of Fame Class 2020

Cliff Harris is the first safety for the All-Time Cowboys. He intercepted 29 passes in his ten seasons in Dallas. Harris made six straight Pro-Bowls from 1974-1979 and three straight All-Pro Teams from 1976-1978. He was named to the Hall of Fame All-1970s Team and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. It's great he finally made it into the Hall of fame, but again surprising that he had to wait so long.

23 Int | 12 FF | 11 FR | 11 Sk | 967 Tackles | 26 TFL | 5x Pro-Bowl (94, 95, 96, 97, 98) | 3x All-Pro (94, 95, 96)

Darren Woodson rounds out the defensive side of the ball of the All-Time Cowboys. He has a decent shot to make the Hall of Fame as well. He made five straight Pro-Bowls from 1994-1998 and three straight All-Pro Teams from 1994-1996. He was a key defender for the Cowboys teams that won three Super Bowls in the 1990s and I expect him to one day get a gold jacket. Roy Williams is another great safety for the cowboys that seems to have already been somewhat forgotten.

Honorable Mentions

88.2 FG% | 56 Long | 834 Points | Led League in FG% 2015 (93.8%) | 1x Pro-Bowl (15)

The Cowboys aren't as deep at kicker as they are in other positions, but they do have Dan Bailey who is one of the most accurate kickers of all time. He led the league in field goal percentage in 2015 with 93.8% and was named to his only Pro-Bowl in that same season.

Honorable Mentions

22,369 Punt Yds | 75 Long | 45.3 Yds/Punt | Led League in Yds/Punt 2006 and 2010 (48.2, 47.9) | Led League in Long 2006 (75) | 2x Pro-Bowl (06, 10)

Matt McBriar is the choice at punter for the All-Time Cowboys. He averaged over 45 yards per punt for his career and led the league in yards per punt twice. He was also named to the Pro-Bowl in both 2006 and 2010.

Honorable Mentions

1,158 Punt Rt Yds | 3 Punt Rt TD | 11.1 Yds/Punt Rt | 581 Kick Rt Yds | 25.3 Yds/Kick Rt | Led League in Punt Rt Yds 1967 (276) | Led League in Punt Rt TD 1967 and 1968 (1, 2) | 3x Pro-Bowl (65, 66, 67) | 2x All-Pro (66, 68) | Hall of Fame Class 2009

This was a hard choice, and I almost went with Mel Renfro. I went with Bob Hayes due to his speed and more yards per punt during his career. He also returned the ball in more seasons than did Renfro. This spot could honestly be interchangeable between the two. If Deion Sanders wasn't already on the All-Time Falcons, then I probably would have gone with him.

Honorable Mentions

Regular Season: 250-162-6 | 60.7 W-L% | Playoffs: 20-16 | 1966 Coach of the Year | 1971 and 1977 Super Bowl Champion | 1970, 1975 and 1978 NFC Champion | Hall of Fame Class 1990

No surprise here. Tom Landry is obviously the head coach for the All-Time Cowboys. Landry coached the Cowboys for 29 seasons and won 250 games. He had 20 winning seasons and took the Cowboys to five Super Bowls, winning two of them. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990 and is one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game.

Honorable Mentions