As the Dallas Cowboys head into their Week 17 matchup against the Washington Commanders, the stakes aren’t exactly sky-high. With both teams out of playoff contention and the scoreboard mattering more to the draft board than the standings, this one’s about pride-and, more importantly, about the future.
While some fans may be quietly hoping for a loss to improve draft positioning, don’t expect the Cowboys to treat this like a throwaway game. There’s still plenty to evaluate, especially when it comes to young talent and future roster decisions. So instead of breaking down the usual Xs and Os or key matchups, let’s shift the lens a bit and focus on a few Cowboys players who deserve a closer look this Sunday-not just for what they can do now, but for what they might mean down the road.
CB Shavon Revel: A Glimpse Into the Secondary’s Future
Let’s start with Shavon Revel, the rookie cornerback who’s still something of an enigma. With Trevon Diggs potentially nearing the end of his time in Dallas and DaRon Bland facing foot surgery, the Cowboys’ cornerback room is suddenly full of question marks.
That puts a spotlight squarely on Revel. After spending most of the season recovering from a knee injury, he’s been thrown into the mix late in the year.
The flashes are there-he’s got the athleticism, the instincts, the tools. But the consistency?
Still a work in progress.
This week, he’ll face a Commanders receiving corps that, while not elite, can still test a young corner’s technique and discipline. The Cowboys need to see more than just flashes from Revel.
They need to know if he can be part of the long-term solution in the secondary. This game offers him another chance to prove he belongs.
LT Tyler Smith: A Position Switch in Progress
Tyler Smith has quietly been one of the best left guards in the NFL this season. So it raised some eyebrows when he started at left tackle in Week 16 and is expected to stay there through the end of the year. Is this just a temporary move, or are the Cowboys seriously considering a shift in his future role?
Either way, this is valuable tape. With the team not in playoff mode, it makes sense to experiment a bit-and Smith at left tackle gives Dallas a chance to evaluate their options up front.
Can he handle elite edge rushers? Can he maintain his physical dominance and footwork on the outside the same way he did inside?
Against Washington’s pass rush, Smith will get another chance to show whether he can be more than just a top-tier guard. If he proves he can anchor the left side, it opens up all kinds of possibilities for how the Cowboys approach their offensive line in the offseason.
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku: Building Momentum on the Edge
Donovan Ezeiruaku has had a solid rookie campaign, but the Cowboys need more than just “solid” from him moving forward. With the defensive end depth chart looking awfully thin heading into the offseason, he’s one of the few players at the position under contract who looks to be part of the future.
That makes these final two games critical for his development. And this week, he’ll be lining up across from Laremy Tunsil-a proven, high-level left tackle who’s not going to give up much easily. It’s the kind of challenge that can either expose a young edge rusher or sharpen him.
For Ezeiruaku, it’s about more than just stats. It’s about showing he can win one-on-one battles, set the edge in the run game, and bring consistent pressure. If he can finish the season strong, especially against a talent like Tunsil, it’ll be a major confidence boost heading into Year 2-and a big checkmark for a Dallas defense that needs to reload up front.
Bottom Line: The Cowboys may not be playing for a playoff spot, but that doesn’t mean Week 17 is meaningless. For players like Revel, Smith, and Ezeiruaku, these reps matter.
They’re auditions, evaluations, and building blocks for what comes next. And for a team looking to retool and reload in the offseason, that’s more than enough reason to keep a close eye on what happens Sunday in Washington.