- Emmitt Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards.
- Roger Staubach was named the starting quarterback in Week 8 of the 1971-72 season before winning Super Bowl VI and being named MVP.
- Michael Irvin had just one double-digit receiving touchdown season.
While online sports betting isn’t yet available in the state of Texas, I can confidently say that should it ever become so, the Dallas Cowboys will be a massively wagered-on team in terms of NFL betting.
While their football odds of winning it all aren’t quite in their favour heading into the 2024 season, the Cowboys are best known for their dominance in the 1990s, where they won multiple Super Bowls.
There have been many legendary all-time NFL greats with those teams, and below, I’ll rank the top seven Cowboys of all time.
7 Best Dallas Cowboys of All Time
| Rank | Player | Position | Dallas Cowboys Years |
| 1 | Emmitt Smith | RB | 1990-2002 |
| 2 | Roger Staubach | QB | 1969-1979 |
| 3 | Troy Aikman | QB | 1989-2000 |
| 4 | Bob Lilly | DT | 1961-1974 |
| 5 | Michael Irvin | WR | 1988-1999 |
| 6 | Tony Dorsett | RB | 1977-1987 |
| 7 | Larry Allen | OT | 1994-2005 |
1. Emmitt Smith
There have been some incredible quarterbacks that have suited up for the Dallas Cowboys, but I had to give the nod to Smith here at No. 1. He’s the all-time leading rusher in NFL history with 18,355 yards.
With the Cowboys, he won three Super Bowls, was the Super Bowl XXVIII MVP, the NFL MVP in 1993, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year when he came into the league in 1990, was a four-time first-team All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler, led the league in rushing four times, and led the league in rushing touchdowns three times.
He finished his career with 164 rushing touchdowns and 515 catches.
When Emmitt Smith became the NFL’s all-time leading rusher 👑🐐pic.twitter.com/06yLbyTwud
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) May 26, 2024
2. Roger Staubach
In contention for the No. 1 spot, Staubach was the starting quarterback responsible for the Cowboys first Super Bowl at Super Bowl VI. He then went on to win Super Bowl XII.
He was named the Super Bowl VI MVP, the NFL Man of the Year in 1978, a second-team All-Pro in 1971, a six-time Pro Bowler, the NFL passing touchdowns leader in 1973, and part of the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Most impressively, Staubach was named the starting quarterback in Week 8 of the 1971-72 season. From there, he led them to a Super Bowl win over the Miami Dolphins.
He ranks fourth all-time in Cowboys history in passing yards (22,700) and fifth in passing touchdowns (153).
3. Troy Aikman
Next up on my list is Aikman. He won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys in the 1990s, including Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX.
He was the Super Bowl MVP at XXVII, the NFL Man of the Year in 1997, made it to six straight Pro Bowls, and was the NFL completion percentage leader in 1993.
He ranks second in Cowboys history in passing yards (32,942) and third in passing touchdowns (165).
4. Bob Lilly
A member of the first Cowboys Super Bowl squad, Lilly was a seven-time first-team All-Pro, two-time second-team All-Pro, made 11 Pro Bowls, including 10 straight, and was named a member of the 1960s All-Decade team, 1970s All-Decade team, the 75th Anniversary All-Time team, and part of the 100th Anniversary All-Time team.
He finished his career with 95.5 sacks, 18 fumble recoveries, three touchdowns, and an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
He’s in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.
5. Michael Irvin
Like Aikman, Irvin won three Super Bowls in the 1990s, including Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX. He was first-team All-Pro in 1991 and made two second-team All-Pro’s in 1992 and 1993.
He was named to five straight Pro Bowls and led the NFL in receiving in 1991.
He ranks second in Cowboys history in receiving yards (11,904) and second in receptions with 750.
Interestingly, he had double-digit receiving touchdowns in just one season, with 10 in 1995.
6. Tony Dorsett
I had Smith at No. 1, and Dorsett is here at No. 6. He ranks second in Cowboys history in rushing (12,036), second in rushing touchdowns (72), and second in rush attempts.
Before Smith arrived in town, Dorsett was the guy in Dallas and across the NFL. With the Cowboys re-signing Ezekiel Elliott before the 2024 season, we could see his place at second on rushing touchdowns thwarted, but his 12,036 rushing yards should stand.
Dorsett was part of the Super Bowl XII team, was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1977, was first-team All-Pro in 1981, and made two second-team All-Pro’s and four Pro Bowls.
7. Larry Allen
A member of the Super Bowl XXX team, Allen was a stalwart at left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
He was a six-time first-team All-Pro from 1996 to 2001, a second-team All-Pro member in 1995, and made 11 Pro Bowls.
Allen is widely viewed as one of the most dominant tackles in NFL history.
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