NFL Stock Watch: Dallas Cowboys Trending Down
By Erik Lambert
Jun 17, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) during minicamp at the 49ers practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Training camp continues and the preseason approaches. How does the NFL stock look for a number of players and teams around the league?
Stock Up: Carlos Hyde
More than a few people wondered why the San Francisco 49ers invested a 2nd round pick in Carlos Hyde when they already has a full stock of able running backs. Then Kendall Hunter tore his ACL. Suddenly the move is looking genius and the Ohio State product is perfectly positioned to become a key contributor in the Niners rushing attack this season. He still has some work to do but with Frank Gore requiring more rest at his age, Hyde has little standing in his way.
Stock Down: Carolina Panthers offense
Things really can’t get much worse for the Carolina Panthers offense. They lost their best receiver in Steve Smith to free agency, their starting left tackle to retirement. Cam Newton still isn’t fully recovered from off-season surgery and now their running game, the key to entire operation suffered two tough blows. The first came when Jonathan Stewart suffered his latest injury that could keep him out of NFL camp for up to a month. If that weren’t enough, rookie Tyler Gaffney who was expected to compete for playing time will miss the season with a knee injury.
Stock Up: Darrelle Revis
The New England Patriots took a very expensive one-year gamble in hopes that cornerback Darrelle Revis could return to his Pro Bowl form and help them win in 2014. After a rocky start to training camp, Revis kicked his game up a notch, intercepting Tom Brady twice in one practice. It was merely the latest sign that the 29-year old is vying to regain his spot as the best cornerback in the NFL.
Stock Down: Dallas Cowboys
Optimism is not the word that describes the reality for the Dallas Cowboys heading into this season. It is more like desperation. After three-straight 8-8 finishes, all marked by devastating defeats to division rivals in the last games of each season, Dallas is praying that 2014 will be different. Unfortunately their hopes are pinned on a lot of things having to go right. Tony Romo is coming off back surgery. Kyle Orton has been replaced by Brandon Weeden at backup. The defense is already in the hole early after losing Sean Lee to a season-ending injury. There are a ton of questions and too few answers.