Top 50 Dallas Cowboys Players of All-Time

Posted by David Quinn on June 29th, 2007 filed in Features

Recently, Tim McMahon of the Dallas Morning News did a “Top 25 Cowboys of the Last 25 Years” blog/story. I would like to modify and otherwise extend that list to the top 50 Cowboy players ever. Please, feel free to advise or submit suggestions as you wish, but here goes my list: (by the way, coaches can be included as well)

50. Robert Newhouse: Who can forget this hole-making fullback with 44″ thighs blocking for the likes of Calvin Hill, Duane Thomas and Tony D.

49. Duane Thomas: He was T. O. before there was a T.O. Refused to talk to the media, moody and one of the most talented backs to play in the silver and blue.

48. Chuck Howley: I remember him as one of the most punishing tacklers to ever play the game and always around the ball.

47. Don Perkins: One of the toughest fullbacks to play the game and one of the earliest prima donas on the team.

46. Herb Adderley: Great coverman as well as kick returner and could stop the run as well. Another HOF’er.

45. Lance Alworth: Bambi was a great receiver and panned in the infamous movie “North Dallas Forty”. Also in the HOF.

44. Craig Morton: Landry’s favorite QB but ultimately replaced by one of the best of all time.

43. Lee Roy Jordan: Perennial pro-bowl LB and man, could he hit. Feared by other teams.

42. Ralph Neely: One of the most underrated OL ever and great at opening holes for his RB’s and protecting Staubach.

41. Walt Garrison: A true cowboy who played for the OSU Cowboys, then his only NFL team, Dallas. Remember his smokeless tobacco commercials?

40. Larry Cole: Another OL as consistent and reliable as an old pair of shoes.

39. Jackie Smith: If for no other reason than the famous dropped TD pass from Staubach in Super Bowl XIII.

38. Mike Ditka: Only played for the Cowboys 4 years, but what can you say, a legend.

37. Rayfield Wright: “Big Cat” was the epitime of an OL and deservedly a HOF’er.

36. Tex Schramm: I know I said coaches included, but let’s face facts, he was the man who invented the term “America’s Team” and made NFL cheerleaders a mainstay. Great public relations man.

35. Tony Dorsett: Holds a record that can only be tied, the 99 yard TD run from scrimmage against the Vikings in ‘82 and a great RB.

34. Don Meredith: “Dandy Don” was a great QB and his commentaries with Howard Cosell are priceless.

33. Charlie Waters: Excellent SS and underrated, should be considered for HOF.

32. Mel Renfro: A SS/CB/ST man for all seasons, he could do it all, return KO’s, punts, and interceptions the distance. Another Cowboy HOF’er.

31. Bob Lilly: A tough Texan from Olney, TX, who played 14 years and only missed one game; perennial Pro-Bowler who played in 5 NFC title games and 2 Super Bowls.

30. Randy White: Another DL who played 14 seasons and only missed one game, virtually a toss-up with above player. Played in 5 NFC title games and 3 Super Bowls. Of course both are HOF’ers.

29. Barry Switzer: Although he started out as merely a point in Jerry Jones’ argument with Jimmy Johnson, he did win a Super Bowl as coach of the Cowboys. (the point being anyone could lead the talented team to the super bowl)

28. Jimmy Johnson: He’s got to be at least one better than the above, I mean look at his hair. Really, a great coach and commentator.

27. Clint Murchison, Jr.: Must give props to the man with the vision to start such a dynasty.

26. Ed “Too Tall” Jones: Excellent DE and pass rusher, but be careful asking him for his autograph as I did once in a Dallas bar.

25. Daryl Johnston: The “moose” was a great fullback and has become a great commentator as well.

24. Jim Jeffcoat: A first-round draft pick that actually produced and was a “sack master”.

25. Harvey Martin: Extemely underrated pass rusher and DE for the some great season.

24. Nate Newton: Great OG who went a bit off course after football, but what a personality.

23. Darren Woodson: Not a better S in the league and 5 time Pro-bowler before his back injury.

22. Danny White: A great athlete, who else could fail to convert on third down and still boom a 40+ yard punt. Couldn’t win the NFC title game though.

21. Mark Stepnoski: Probably the best C in football his first 4 years in Dallas, great finesse and agility.

20. Everson Walls: Great CB even though a victim of what I still think was a totally blown play by SF’s Joe Montana to Dwight Clark in the ‘82 NFC Championship game. Come on, he was trying to throw the ball away under intense pressure.

19. Jay Novacek: One of the most prolific TE’s in history, Aikman’s “right hand man” as they say.

18. Erik Williams: Probably the most dominant OL in NFL history, no one was meaner or had more Pro-Bowl appearances.

17. Larry Allen: Learned all he knew from the above, another complete OL and definite HOF’er.

16. Bill Bates: An inspiration to every walk-on football player with nothing but heart. He was as fearless as he was inspired and a joy to watch. Great nickel-back also.

15. Mark Tuinei: I have to agree with McMahon on this one, but he did have alot of false start penalties. Overall, a good OL though.

14. Jason Garrett: Although only a back-up QB, he never failed to produce when called upon and played some memorable games. Should make a great OC for the Cowboys.

13. Terence Newman: One of the best CB in Cowboy history, had a tough year last year, but I believe a pro-bowler and potential HOF’er in a few years.

12. Jason Witten: Tremendous TE and only needs a few more catches to supersede Novacek as the best TE in Cowboys history.

11. DeMarcus Ware: He may be a relatively new Cowboy, but I predict he will be one of the best defensive playmakers in team history.

10. Greg Ellis: Before he was injured last year, his QB pressure made the Boys one of the best defenses in the league. He’s versatile, tough and highly underrated.

9. Tony Hill: He may not have had HOF numbers, but he made some spectacular catches for the team and was a great receiver.

8. Drew Pearson: Tremendous WR and bound for the HOF, made some of the most amazing catches in history.

7. Dan Reeves: The forgotten Cowboy who became a great head coach. Holds the record for most Super Bowl appeareance as a player or coach with 9.

6. Bob Hayes: Or “Bullett Bob” as he was known. Once regarded as the fastest man on earth and a terrific WR for the Cowboys, and greatly responsible for their first Super Bowl win in ‘71. Should be in the HOF.

5. Roger Staubach: Roger “the Dodger” as he was called, one of the best scrambling QB’s to ever play the game and led the Cowboys to 2 Super Bowl victories.

4. Tom Landry: Founding coach of the Boys, led team to 20 consecutive winning seasons, 19 playoff appearances, 13 division titles, 5 Super Bowl appearances and 2 victories. Enough said.

3. Michael Irvin: One of “the Triplets” and also called the “Playmaker”. Naturally, in my final 3. Inducted into the HOF this year.

2. Troy Aikman: The general of the “Triplet” and quite possibly the most accurate passer to ever play QB. Led his team to three Super Bowl wins and MVP of Super Bowl XXVII and now a very successful FOX commentator.

1. Emmit Smith: NFL’s all-time leading rusher, and the only man to ever win a Super Bowl ring, the NFL rushing title and the NFL and Super Bowl MVP awards in the same year. Not to mention that the man can dance.

So there you have it, my top 50 Cowboys of all time. If you feel I’ve left someone out or placed someone in the wrong order, please let me know and I’ll at least consider it. Afterall, it’s all just a matter of opinion. Oh, and before you start mentioning the Charles Haley’s, Deion Sanders, etc., I went “old school” and refused to include in the list what I call “inserts” or players who really played the majority of their careers with other teams. These players may have had short, but productive years with the Cowboys, but I and most other hard-core Cowboys fans don’t really think of them as Dallas Cowboys.



32 Responses to “Top 50 Dallas Cowboys Players of All-Time”

  1. Russell Loede Says:
    July 1st, 2007 at 6:39 pm

    Tony Dorsett is where?
    In the Mid 30s?!? ( @ 35 ) ~ Good thing Jeffcoat, Garrett, and Bates among others were high up there ~ they were so successful for Dallas football?!? Come on ~ Bob Lilly, Randy White, and Mel Renfro ranked behind T.Newman
    ( no way he is a HOF!?! ), Ellis, and where is S Cliff Harris?
    This list a joke for Dallas fans.
    (not one of ‘em) You should REVISE this one and Go Round 2 on it!
    Might as well put in Tony “I cannot hold a FG Snap” Romo…

    By the way ~ where is Roy Williams if you have Demarcus Ware? And you should start off by putting Darren Woodson higher (he was the leader of the ‘D’ IN the 90s for those SB winning Teams.) I can think of more but that’s enough to work on to make a ‘NEW’ Revised List Sir.

  2. Sammie DeLuce Says:
    October 11th, 2007 at 9:21 am

    I agree with Russell Loede’s comment about the original ‘T.D.’. Are you kidding me!!!!!? 35!!!!!!!! Try the top 4-5 (I’m being modest). Check this out! Tony Dorsett ran at 187 lbs. ya 187 lbs!! I don’t care how big the players are today, they really weren’t that much bigger or heavier. Dorsett definitely defied ALL odds in being a ‘featured running back on a team that is considered to be the ‘Yankees’ of the N.F.L.. Dorsett didn’t really have that great of an offensive line the last half of his career, and still managed to get over the century mark each season-taking away his last season or two with the ‘Boys’, which by the way his last two seasons in Dallas fell short simply because he was splitting time with Hershel Walker. Dorsett was the original ‘Barry Sanders’. He had moves to spare and speed to die for, he ran like a deer! it was such a special treat to see that man run.
    To have this ‘Great’ Cowboy at 35 is just obsurd.
    Who are you anyway? Sounds to me as if you never really saw him run, judging by your little comment you said about him, you probably saw some highlights of him at one time or another and based your opinion on the little clip of what you saw
    Russell is absolutely right , this list is a joke! Jason Garrett? Witten? are you kidding?!!! ahead of Tony D.?!! What is wrong with you

    Just to let you know- Dorsett was the most feared back in the N.F.L. along with Payton and Campbell (and these two out weighed Tony by at least 20-25 lbs each

  3. Sammie DeLuce Says:
    October 11th, 2007 at 9:39 am

    One more thing to add since you seem to think that Emmitt Smith (who was a great one)is the all time greatest Cowboy. If Tony Dorsett had the offensive line that Smith ran behind, we would be talking about Dorsett instead of Smith. It’s true, Dorsett would of ran wild, he was faster and had so many moves like Barry Sanders. Players knew that if Dorsett got past the first line of defense, it was over because you were not going to cattch him- unless your of course Darrell Green!
    I saw an interview with Jim Jeffcoat who played under Landry and Jimmy Johnson and played with both Dorsett and Smith. He was asked what he thought of Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett- Here is his response (I’ll try to word coreectly, it was a while ago) He said Emmitt is amazing and an absolute great one! but then he goes on to say that Tony Dorsett was ’special’ emphasizing that Tony was the superior runner without a doubt

    I think you need to critique your list- A LOT. You have guys way out of order
    Hey don’t feel to bad, at least you got Tom Landry (who should be 1 or 2) ahead of Jimmy Johnson

  4. Sammie DeLuce Says:
    October 11th, 2007 at 10:03 am

    Top Cowboys:

    Tom Landry
    Roger Staubach
    Tony Dorsett
    Jimmy Johnson
    Troy Aikman
    Bob Lilly
    Michael Irvin
    Emmitt Smith
    Drew Pearson
    Tony Hill
    Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones
    Randy White
    Everson Walls
    Jay Novacek
    Doug Cosbie
    Butch Johnson
    Dennis Thurman
    Ken Norton jr.(trader)
    Harvey Martin
    Michael Downs
    Bill Bates
    Danny White
    Pat Donavan
    Nate Newton
    Mark Stepnoski
    Eric Williams (up until that car crash)
    Jim Jeffcoat

  5. Sammie DeLuce Says:
    October 12th, 2007 at 8:47 am

    I know I’m lacking players from the 60’s & 70’s, but it would be unfair to just throw names in there that I never really saw play. My era came right when ‘White’ took over for ‘Staubach’

    Tony Dorsett blows Emmitt Smith out of the water

  6. willis Says:
    October 25th, 2007 at 6:44 am

    Jason Garret at 14, are you kidding me. How many starts did he even have in his career? Bob Lilly and Randy ‘Manster’ white are way to low on this list. Dont get me started on Dorsett and Jimmy Johnson.

  7. Andre Newmman II Says:
    October 28th, 2007 at 5:47 pm

    if you have current cowboys like ellis, newman, and ware who just started then you have to have roy williams the great safty

  8. jack Says:
    November 16th, 2007 at 9:39 am

    I would like to submit as an honary cowboy:

    GEORGE ALLEN

    It was his insane obsession with Dallas that created the ” America’ Team ”
    aura

  9. larry mcbeath Says:
    November 19th, 2007 at 4:34 pm

    It is very obvious from this list that you know little about football and even less about Cowboy history!!

  10. larry mcbeath Says:
    November 19th, 2007 at 4:50 pm

    So you line for a sandlot game and you get to choose first and you pick Barry Switzer over Randy White, Bob Lilly, Mel Renfro, and Tony Dorset. Hey, you ARE good!!

  11. Jason resendiz Says:
    November 29th, 2007 at 8:29 am

    dude cowboys suckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!
    its allbout the New Englang Patriots Its albout TOm BRady and RAndy Moss Ans wes Welker And Laurence Marony And Benujamin Watson ….AND THE DEFENCE so NEw enlgand are winners not like dallas there losers

  12. Sammie DeLuce Says:
    November 30th, 2007 at 12:11 pm

    Hey Jason, I think the ‘Cowboys’ have something waiting for your ‘Patriots’- if your ‘Pariots’ get to the “Super Bowl”
    By the way, how come you went out of your way to find this ‘Cowboy’ site?
    Judging by your spelling and the way you talk, it sounds as though your 10yrs old

  13. colto,california highschool yellowjacket Says:
    December 1st, 2007 at 10:08 pm

    you all know that the cowboys are the best team so heres my list:
    1.roger stabauch because hes the best
    2.emmit smith is a hall of famer
    3.tony dorset is a every-day 99-yard runner from scrimager
    4.troy aikman is a bruin and should of been a usc trojan but i like him
    5.michael irving is way better than randy moss and other wannabes
    6.demarcus ware is sacking tom brady right now
    7.roy williams is the best safty ever
    8.anthony henry and terrance newman and the best hs football player going to the cowboys shareece wright straight outta colton,california is currently at usc.u go shareece.
    9.future running back allen bradford from chs yellowjackets
    10.jay kitchen:alltime QB

  14. Bill Lahr Says:
    December 6th, 2007 at 4:27 pm

    I totally agree that the list is off balance. switzer was a disgrace and should’nt even be on the list. as for the dude talking about the pats they’re falling apart at the seams and i wouldn’t be surprised if they’re knocked off at their first playoff game.

  15. bobby Says:
    December 6th, 2007 at 6:54 pm

    As I was reading your top 50 “greatest” Cowboys players ever I couldn’t help but to laugh. Being born and raised in Texas, we all know that the Dallas Cowboys are our pride & joy so to make a list this inaccurate is a slap in the face. I can go in detail about how off this is but don’t have the time. To say the least: Tony Dorsett @ #34 but Jason Garrett @ #14, haha thats a joke. You also didn’t list Deion Sanders (won superbowls) but you listed Jason Witten @ #12…Deion is considered one of the greatest and most versatile athletes in recent American sports history & 7 time All-Pro selection..Anyway, you obviously don’t know much at all & this website sucks so don’t have much MORE time to waste…GO COWBOYS on our way to ANOTHER Super Bowl

  16. willis Says:
    December 7th, 2007 at 8:22 am

    Erik Williams: Probably the most dominant OL in NFL history, no one was meaner or had more Pro-Bowl appearances.

    What are you smoking. Williams was good but he was no where near the best. The Most Dominant OL in league history is probably John Hannah. Nine pro bowls, Williams had only four, and is in the hall of fame. Bear Bryant said that Hannah was the best lineman he had ever coached.

  17. gEErOj Says:
    December 7th, 2007 at 9:26 am

    I can agree w/ John Hannah being better than Eric Williams but he was not better than Larry Allen, the 11 time Pro Bowler and strongest man in the NFL.

    Further more I’m sorry to say but this is list is lame. I do not buy into this idea that the list should only include players who spent most of their careers w/ other teams. If that were truly the case then what are Ken Norton and Mike Ditka doing there? So, I say throw out that concept and put Charles Haley on there in the top 10. Do you realize that at least two of the three Super Bowls they won in the 90s would have been won by the 49ers if the Cowboys hadn’t had Haley? I’ll never forget him bowling over Jim Kelley in the end zone, causing an immediate fumble recovered for a touchdown in Super Bowl 27.

    Furthermore, all of you please stop saying that Dorsett was better than Smith. He wasn’t. How about this… they were both good. Sure Dorsett was faster and shiftier but Smith was a stronger and more punishing runner. And Smith was superior at picking up blitzes while both were good at catching passes out of the back field. I think a lot of people tend to think of Emmit in the later stages of his career after he had slowed down. But during the Super Bowl years he was amazing and carried the ball 25 to 30 times a game. No wonder he slowed down. Dorsett never averaged that many carries in any season that he played and he never would have survived if he had.

    Presently I wonder WHY does Barber have to split his carries w/ Jones 50/50? It should be more like 80/20.

  18. TYRONE Says:
    December 7th, 2007 at 1:07 pm

    I AM A DALLAS FANATIC,ALSO.BUT TO PUT JASON WITTEN,DEMARCUS WARE AND TERENCE NEWMAN ON THIS LIST IS ALMOST INSANE. THE BARRY SWITZER PICK IS QUESTIONABLE ALSO. WHERE IS NORV TURNER ON THIS LIST? AND EVEN THOUGH HE LOST 3 NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES-DANNY WHITE?

  19. Miranda Says:
    December 31st, 2007 at 6:39 pm

    This list is so mixed up and inaccurate. I totatlly agree with a lot of the other comments. Jason Witten is good… but not number 12. Bob lilly is number 1. He was the first cowboy, and called Mr. Cowboy.

    BTW. Where is Terrell Owens?

  20. Bull_Shirt Says:
    January 23rd, 2008 at 7:21 am

    Jackie Smith was a St Louis Cardinal for all of his career, other than the ONE YEAR he played for the Boys.He is remembered only for that drop in the end zone and should not even be considered a part of Cowboy lore. Barry Switzer won the SB ONLY because the team was built by Jimmy Johnson This is a tad late, but think this list should be reconsidered, esp with the 2 I named.

  21. colton california Says:
    January 25th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    How bout hershel walker patriots suck even though dallas lost this year they will go 19-0 next year haha lol go usc trojans and colton high school yellowjackets

  22. colton california Says:
    February 27th, 2008 at 5:08 pm

    who thinks that the cowboys should trde both theyre 1st round picks 2 the miami dolphins for the 1st pick in the draft 2 get darren mcfadden?press 909090909 and i will respond the following day

  23. Bull_Shirt Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 6:28 am

    I, for one, do not think they should do that. One reason is because they can find a running back they need in later rounds, and cost less money. To forfeit the whole draft for one player is ridiculous and foolhardy. The Dolphins are trying to get more players for the same amount of money they have to spend, and if they spend all of theirs on one player, it will take a lot longer for them to even be considered contenders. Remember the Hershel Walker trade? The Vikings got suckered big time on that because they believed that Walker would be their Savior….Didn’t happen, and it won’t happen with McFadden either.

  24. colton Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

    yes they shopuld because tonight if the dallas cowboys dont strike a deal with barber tonight,they need someone like mcfadden nd desean jackson and if they do they stilll need someone to run alongside of him go usc trojans

  25. colton Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    i know they should cause cowboys r da best

  26. Devon Sims Says:
    March 26th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    The Top 4 best players to ever play the game of football

    1.Emmit Smith
    2.Barry Sanders
    3.Troy Aikman
    4.Michael Irvin

  27. Coltonguy Says:
    March 28th, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    felix Jones and darren Mcfadden should both go 2 dallas all a way

  28. Mythbuster Says:
    June 9th, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    I have just 2 words for you “Walt Garrison”

  29. Uwe Says:
    June 10th, 2008 at 1:57 pm

    This is the worst list of all time. It’s clear that whoever came up with this started watching the Cowboys in 1992.

    http://uweblogsports.blogspot.com/2008/06/blog-strikes-out-at-ranking-cowboys.html

  30. sargethadirtbag Says:
    June 11th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

    This is the absolute dumbest list ever. I wasted 2 minutes of my life to read that this guy believes barry f-ing switzer was a better cowboy than BOB LILLY! Lay off the hard stuff man

  31. bob Says:
    June 19th, 2008 at 8:42 pm

    man how bout them cowboys man i think thats a good list but ya missed some people like harshal walker and many many more.

  32. Darren Leeds Says:
    July 1st, 2008 at 11:39 am

    This list of course is a joke when Tony Dorsett is #35(?). Bob Lilly 31? Mel Renfro 32? Jason Garrett 14? Bill Bates 16? Huh??????? I’m a Giants fan from New York and I easily could have compiled a better list. In fact, maybe this list was created by a Giants fan. Or maybe a Redskins fan. He sure doesn’t know anything about the Cowboys

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