It is very difficult to be unknown or underrated while playing for the Dallas Cowboys. The team is covered at such great length and has a level of visibility that nobody can quite touch.
To be clear nobody is saying that this is the most important quality, or an important one in general, for a football team, but it is a reality for America’s Team as we all know. In this spirit most players on the Cowboys are what we will refer to in this conversation as “household names.” Most people have heard of the likes of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Quinnen Williams, you get the picture.
Even in spite of the team’s popularity though, not every player on the team is quite at that level. Seasons can always change that though and here is a list of three players who could find themselves in that territory should things go right for them.
Ryan Flournoy
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 4: Ryan Flournoy #19 of the Dallas Cowboys stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 04, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Oct 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) looks on before the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
1/3Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens understandably get a lot of love, but there is another wide receiver on the Cowboys who could have a breakout type season for the team in Ryan Flournoy.
Sometimes things simply shake out weirdly when it comes to pass-catching options. Things work in a certain way, rhythms fall into place, and you blink your eyes and all of a sudden Laurent Robinson is having a season where he catches 11 touchdowns.
Robinson is a great example of the way things can happen, but we all feel better about Flournoy’s prospect in the Cowboys offense than Jacksonville did with Laurent in theirs by the end. Flournoy could be the primary beneficiary of coverage going elsewhere, and given the fantasy football nature of the NFL, he could quickly become more well-known than he is currently.
Jalen Thompson
Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 12: Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL 2025 game between Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 05: Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
1/3Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Caleb Downs is the name to know at safety and that makes sense. But so many people have (seemingly) glossed over the fact that Dallas handed out the biggest deal that they had in free agency since Brandon Carr this offseason, and they gave it to Jalen Thompson.
This isn’t to say that Thompson is better than Downs. But the new defensive coordinator literally, this is what free agency is, hand-picked Thompson to patrol his secondary. Christian Parker’s pedigree of molding defensive backs into household names is well-established. Thompson could be the next one to follow that lead.
Jaydon Blue
Jun 16, 2026; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (23) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 04: Jaydon Blue #23 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on January 04, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
1/3Jun 16, 2026; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (23) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Some of this is that Jaydon Blue played at a highly visible college in the University of Texas, and some of it is the fantasy football aspect of life that we talked about with Ryan Flournoy. There is another element to Jaydon Blue though in that he has the potential to rip off big plays.
Fans who consume the Cowboys more casually, through RedZone, or maybe through highlights might learn of Blue if he is ripping off these bigger and longer touchdowns. That is a fast pass to household status and he might be the person on the team with the proper speed to take advantage of it.
This pick holds the least amount of confidence, though. Blue lost favor with the coaching staff last year, and while the slate is clean for 2026, there is still a ways to go before the opportunities even exist.
Do you agree with these candidates, or do you have any that we left off? Let us know what you think in the comments below.