Ranking the 18 greatest Cowboys players ever, from Deion Sanders to Emmitt Smith

The Dallas Cowboys remain one of the NFL’s most storied franchise despite their recent lengthy championship drought. With their Super Bowl dynasties in the 1970s and 1990s adding up to five rings since their first season in 1960, it’s not hard to see why they’re such a popular franchise

Through those 65 seasons, many great players have suited up for “America’s Team”, from star quarterbacks to awesome dominant defenders. They also have had some notable record-breakers and ultimate clutch performers.

The Sporting News ranks the 18 best players in Cowboys history, from Deion Sanders to Emmitt Smith.

Legend’s take: “I was six years old watching the Cowboys play the Saints with my father, and they soon became my favorite football team. In the 70’s, the legends were Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett. They inspired me to put on the uniform … then in the 90’s, I had the pleasure and honor to be around some great players myself. Michael Irvin was one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen. I was blessed to compete for the franchise at the highest level.” — Emmitt Smith

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Sporting News staff voted on an initial list of players, and then the players were ranked based on a points system made up of nine categories. Points from a scale of 1-10 were assigned based on each player’s strength in a particular category and added up for a final score.

18. Tyron Smith (2011-2023)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 8 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN’s list: Smith, like Zack Martin, was a new-school offensive line anchor for Jerry Jones, helping out Dak Prescott, Tony Romo and several more QBs with his blindside pass protection for many years, also being a sturdy asset for the running game.

Place in Cowboys history: The Cowboys have been working to replace Martin and Smith to make the transition smoother, but when looking back, Smith’s solid reliable blocking was essential to their best offensive days. That was magnified with their lesser production and winning when he missed games.

MORE: Why did Tyron Smith retire after 14-year career?

17. Cliff Harris (1970-1979)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 4-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time Super Bowl champion 

Why he made SN’s list: Harris is the last player involved with Doomsday to make the cut because he was so consistent as an ironman safety, playing more with steady substance than flashy style. He could be counted upon to make the necessary play in coverage when needed. He also retired in his prime, still having huge impact as a ballhawk.

Place in Cowboys history: Harris’ career lasted all through a glorious decade of NFC championship and Super Bowl contention for the Cowboys under Tom Landry. He is not the most household name outside of Dallas, but he is an important performer in franchise history

MORE: Complete list of Super MVP winners through the years

16. Darren Woodson (1992-2003)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, 3-time Super Bowl champion, 23 career interceptions

Why he made SN’s list: Woodson is the first non-Hall of Famer on this list and was more than worthy based on his longevity and winning success in a dynastic defensive backfield. He had a short stretch where he was the game’s best safety with his versatile, well-rounded playmaking.

Place in Cowboys history: Woodson deserves the Canton call someday as another representative of the Jimmy Johnson-Barry Switzer three-ring defensive days. He continues to be considered one of classiest-ever Cowboys, both with his play on the field and his affable nature off the field.

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15. Michael Irvin (1988-1999)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL receiving yardage leader

Why he made SN’s list: Irvin, like his QB Troy Aikman, doesn’t have big-time stats in relation to some of the heavier Hall of Fame hitters, but he was the premier feared big-play wideout in an old-school power running and throwing-it-deep offense. He had to be in Canton along with his fellow triplets.

Place in Cowboys history: Irvin is that key extension of Aikman and Emmitt Smith as they helped to make each elite for a stretch during the Cowboys’ second Super Bowl dynasty under Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer. His prolific seasons will gain more steam in time for the era in which they were produced, but the respect already has turned into all-time venerability.

MORE: Michael Irvin was furious Cowboys didn’t hire Deion Sanders as new coach

14. Deion Sanders (1995-1999)

Accolades: 5 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl champion, 14 interceptions, 7 combined INT and punt return TDs 

Why he made SN’s list: Sanders was the premier shutdown cornerback of his era, whether with the Falcons in his youth, the 49ers during his rise or the Cowboys during his well, Prime. He would have made a lot more big plays on the ball had teams not avoided him shutting down half of the field in coverage.

Place in Cowboys history: Atlanta and San Francisco also conjure up dazzling highlights of Sanders, but his true Neon Deion NFL persona was made for America’s Team, love him or hate him.

MORE: Revisiting Deion Sanders NFL career, relationship with Jerry Jones

13. Charles Haley (1992-1996)

Accolades: 5 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, one-time first-team All-Pro, 3-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Haley played only five seasons in Dallas between stints with 1990s NFC championship rival San Francisco. But they came with a lot of punch as Haley was a healthy monstrous playoff performer in four runs. He was a perfect fit for the Cowboys’ defensive scheme as an outside linebacker. Adding it up with his time as a 49er, Haley knew how to win big and get to the quarterback a lot.

Place in Cowboys history: The Cowboys’ dynastic ways may have not been the same had Haley not come over from the 49ers in his pass-rushing and havoc-wreaking prime. Fellow former Niner and Cowboy Deion Sanders was known as “Prime Time”, but Haley will be remembered for being spectacular under the brightest lights, a true definition of a team supernova.

MORE: Most Super Bowl wins in history by player

12. Zack Martin (2014-2024)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 9 Pro Bowls, 7-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN’s list: Martin is one of two worthy modern representatives of Jerry Jones’ recommitment to the offensive line. He anchored the run blocking for many years with steady elite play to boost a bevy of rushers led by Ezekiel Elliott. 

Place in Cowboys history: Martin is a recent retiree but wire to wire, from a first-rounder out of Notre Dame to a still effective 34-year-old who gave Dallas’ offense his all, his respect from fans, peers and past Cowboys legends stamps his fast track into Canton.

MORE: Why did Zack Martin retire from the NFL?

11. Chuck Howley (1961-1973)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 5-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP

Why he made SN’s list: Howley helped the Cowboys redeem themselves to win Super Bowl 6 after becoming the first MVP from a losing team in Super Bowl 5 for intercepting two passes vs. the Colts. He was a terrific instinctual tackler with an uncanny linebacker coverage ability ahead of his time.

Place in Cowboys history: Howley had a rough start to his career in Chicago with a concerning major knee injury that wiped out his entire 1960 season. He was transformed into a transcendental defender in Dallas, delivering a unique blend of athleticism and intimidation. He has always deserved more credit as the glue guy of the Doomsday years.

MORE: Meet Chuck Howley, the only Super Bowl MVP from a losing team

10. Mel Renfro (1964-1977)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls, 52 career interceptions, one-time NFL interceptions leader, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: From starting his all-Cowboys career as a free safety through thriving as a cover cornerback who made plenty of plays on the ball, Renfro was the clean-up man for the “Doomsday Defense” that had its tone set up front by Bob Lilly, Randy White and many others in between.

Place in Cowboys history: Renfro is the best long-tenured secondary player in Cowboys history and a strong, classy representative from the first dynasty. His clutch on-ball playmaking will be long remembered.

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9. DeMarcus Ware (2005-2013)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 4-time first-team All-Pro, 117 career sacks, two-time NFL sack leader

Why he made SN’s list: Ware was the centerpiece of Bill Parcells’ reboot of the Cowboys’ defense into a strong 3-4 base, a first-round steal out of Troy in 2005. Ware delivered right away as a pass rusher with key sack totals and also handled himself making plays in coverage. He was consistent, with his only disruption being the lack of a Super Bowl ring, which he got near the end of his overall career with the Broncos.

Place in Cowboys history: Ware has the solid franchise lead in career sacks, ahead of the non-official number for Lilly. He was a mainstay on a lot of winning teams from the mid-2000s through the 2010s, serving as the unquestioned defensive face of the franchise.

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8. Tony Dorsett (1977-1987)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 4-time Pro Bowler, All-Pro, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Before Emmitt Smith came along and took control with his production to beat everyone else in the history of the game, Dorsett was the premier Cowboys runner. He was explosive and often dazzling as a scrappy Pittsburgh back who felt right at home in Dallas.

Place in Cowboys history: Dorsett, with his 12,036 rushing yards, is only looking up at Smith among Cowboys with his total all-time. He was a key component of their earlier dynastic offense, setting up a smooth transition to the Emmitt Era. Dorsett laid the groundwork for a rising franchise’s backfield with highlight-reel big plays.

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7. Randy White (1975-1988)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 9-time Pro Bowler, 7-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl MVP and champion, 111 career sacks

Why he made SN’s list: Playing defensive tackle at a menacing, ferocious level for more than a decade made White one of the game’s classic disruptive intimidators. He earned the nickname “Manster” for his half-man, half-monster persona in blowing up plays in the backfield and racking up sacks.

Place in Cowboys history: White is right up there with the toughness and respect Lilly earned for giving the franchise so many hard-nosed productive years when the game was leaner and meaner. White also will linger as one of the three defenders who were the best in the biggest game.

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6. Jason Witten (2003-2017, 2019)

Accolades: 17 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls, two-time first-team All-Pro, Cowboys all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards

Why he made SN’s list: Witten ranks second among all tight ends in career receptions (fourth overall) and receiving yardage (20th overall) behind only Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez. He still has good distance between the modern top receivers at the position like Travis Kelce. He was a go-to guy for multiple QBs, staying durable to get open and being reliable racking up catches.

Place in Cowboys history: Witten has great respect as an all-time Cowboy from Jerry Jones, to the point the organization has considered him to return in a key capacity. He is from Tennessee and was a Volunteer, but he’s embraced his honorary Texan status to the fullest, now continuing his area football impact and legacy as a high school football coach in Argyle, a Fort Worth suburb.

MORE: Was Jason Witten a Cowboys coaching candidate? 

5. Troy Aikman (1989-2000)

Accolades: 12 seasons, six-time Pro Bowler, 3-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Aikman doesn’t have the same magical lore as Roger Staubach, playing for an updated iteration of an “America’s Team” dynasty, but he was a steady leader of a loaded offense, with his intangibles and calm demeanor playing a huge part in the Super success. His continued ambassador of the game role as a prominent game analyst has further boosted his all-time great case.

Place in Cowboys history: Aikman helped the Cowboys win a lot of games, and after his lost rookie season, he never stopped giving them the kind of complementary pocket passing needed to ensure the defense and running game would factor into adding up to victory. His constant post-career presence around Dallas and on a national stage cement his likable legacy.

MORE: Cowboys vs. 49ers playoff history timeline, including Troy Aikman vs. Steve Young

4. Larry Allen (1994-2005)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls, 6-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Allen was one of the most dominant interior blockers of his generation at 6-foot-3, 335 pounds, a powerful and compact force against the run paving the way often for Emmitt Smith. He was a reliable rock through all of his years in Dallas as a steal of a second-round pick in 1994, a late addition to their most recent dynasty.

Place in Cowboys history: The Cowboys have had many strong offensive line stalwarts over the years, but no one was quite as adept at moving piles and would-be tacklers out of the way as Allen. If Smith, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin were the offensive triplets, Allen joined them in the Hall of Fame as the key Fourth Beatle.

MORE: Larry Allen’s most memorable moments from legendary career

3. Bob Lilly (1961-1974)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 11 Pro Bowls, 7-time first-team All-Pro, 95.5 career sacks, Super Bowl champion.

Why he made SN’s list: Lilly was a consistent, durable and disruptive defensive tackle and his determination and grit were seen in his relentless playing style. He had the necessary numbers in an era where defense wasn’t credited as much, and he also embodied the Cowboys’ earliest championship success.

Place in Cowboys history: A homegrown Texas talent who went to nearby TCU in Fort Worth, Lilly lived up to the nickname “Mr. Cowboy”, being the ideal tough Dallas player for many years to anchor a defense. For his era, he was a dominant and incredible ironman leader. He was an easy choice for the Cowboys’ best-ever defensive player.

MORE: SN archives — Bob Lilly is what made Cowboys so rugged

2. Roger Staubach (1969-1979)

Accolades: 11 seasons, six Pro Bowls, four-time NFL passer rating leader, two-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Staubach entered the league at 27 after his Heisman-winning duties at Navy and maximized his time as a clutch quarterback during the Cowboys’ first dynasty under Tom Landry in the 1970s. He put up the numbers as a class act on and off the field, but also saved his best for last when it was fourth-quarter comeback or playoff time.

Place in Cowboys history: The original “Captain Comeback” for America’s Team, Staubach was the unquestioned leader who put the team over the top for its first Super Bowl heyday, despite being on teams loaded with other stars. Between his production and bringing titles to Dallas, he deserves to be second to only Emmitt Smith. 

MORE: SN archives — Roger Staubach wins NFC Player of the Year (1972)

1. Emmitt Smith (1990-2002)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 18,355 career rushing yards, 4 league rushing titles, 3 Super Bowl rings

Why he made SN’s list: Smith is the most prolific runner in NFL history with some massive seasons with Dallas before ending his career strong as an older back in Arizona. He took full advantage of a great offensive line as the featured centerpiece to complement a top defense. He remains most beloved among Cowboys legends for his production, play and personality.

Place in Cowboys history: For a team with such a rich history of winning and consistent lead running backs, Smith was still able to stand out during their most glorious modern era. He lived up to both standards from his position, a level that will remain difficult to match for anyone else in the league for years to come.

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