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From the dynamic duo of Roger Staubach and Tom Landry’s “Doomsday Defense” in the 1970s to the star-studded lineups led by Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin in the 1990s, the Cowboys have consistently captivated fans with their electrifying performances and indomitable spirit. Today, the Cowboys continue to uphold their legacy as one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises, representing the epitome of success, tradition, and excellence on and off the field.
25. Ralph Neely– Offensive Tackle
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Dallas Cowboys (1965-77)
Neely was a stalwart offensive tackle who spent his entire 13-year career with the Cowboys. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and played a crucial role in the success of the Cowboys’ offensive line during the 1960s and 1970s. Neely was known for his strength, technique, and durability, making him one of the most reliable and consistent offensive linemen in Cowboys history. He was a key member of the Cowboys’ Super Bowl VI championship team and his contributions to the franchise’s success are highly regarded by fans and teammates alike.
24. Cornell Green– Defensive Back
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Dallas Cowboys (1962-74)
Green was a versatile defensive back who spent his entire 13-year career with the Cowboys. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl VI champion. Green finished his career with 34 interceptions and 552 interception return yards (both top-5 for Cowboys all-time). Green was known for his athleticism and ball-hawking ability and was pivotal to the franchise’s early success.
23. Bob Hayes– Wide Receiver
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Dallas Cowboys (1965-74), San Francisco 49ers (1975)
Hayes, also known as “Bullet Bob,” was a dynamic wide receiver who spent 10 seasons with the Cowboys. He was a three-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl VI champion, and was named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. Hayes was known for his speed and deep-threat ability, making him one of the most feared receivers in the early stages of the NFL.
22. Jay Novacek– Tight End
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St. Louis Cardinals (1985-87), Phoenix Cardinals (1988-89), Dallas Cowboys (1990-95)
Novacek was a reliable tight end who spent six seasons with the Cowboys. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time Super Bowl champion, and holds numerous franchise records for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end. Novacek was known for his hands and route-running ability, making him a safety blanket for his quarterbacks.
21. DeMarcus Ware– Defensive End/Linebacker
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Dallas Cowboys (2005-13), Denver Broncos (2014-16)
Ware was a dominant pass rusher who spent nine seasons with the Cowboys. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, four-time First-team All-Pro selection, and holds franchise records for sacks (117) and forced fumbles (32). Ware was known for his explosiveness and agility, making him one of the toughest defensive players to block.
20. Lee Roy Jordan– Linebacker
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Dallas Cowboys (1963-76)
Jordan was a versatile linebacker who spent his entire 14-year career with the Cowboys. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl VI champion, and was named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. Jordan was known for his toughness and football IQ, making him one of the greatest linebackers in Cowboys history.
19. Ed “Too Tall” Jones– Defensive End
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Dallas Cowboys (1974-78, 80-89)
Ed “Too Tall” Jones was a towering 6’9 defensive end with an 81-inch wingspan who spent his entire career with the Cowboys. He was a three-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl XII champion, and was named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team. Jones was known for his size and athleticism, containing the end like nobody else. There was no getting around “Too Tall” Jones.
18. Harvey Martin– Defensive End
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Dallas Cowboys (1973-83)
Martin was a dominant pass rusher who spent his entire career with the Cowboys. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl XII co-MVP, and is second for the Cowboys’ all-time leader with 114 career sacks. Martin was known for his tenacity and relentless pursuit of quarterbacks, instilling fear in every team he played.
17. Tony Romo– Quarterback
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Dallas Cowboys (2004-16)
Romo was a prolific quarterback who spent his entire career with the Cowboys. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time NFL passing leader, and holds the franchise record for passing yards (34,183) and touchdowns (248). Romo has the highest passer rating (97.1) among retired quarterbacks who never made it to a Super Bowl. Romo was unfortunately never able to secure the ultimate victory during his tenure.
16. Darren Woodson– Safety
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Dallas Cowboys (1992-2003)
Woodson was a versatile safety who spent his entire 12-year career with the Cowboys. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time Super Bowl champion, and recorded 23 interceptions, 11 sacks and a franchise record 827 tackles. Woodson was known for his leadership and playmaking ability, and was the heart and soul of the Cowboys’ defense during their dominance in the 90s.
15. Rayfield Wright– Offensive Tackle
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Dallas Cowboys (1967-79)
Wright, also known as “Big Cat,” was a dominant offensive tackle who spent his entire 13-year career with the Cowboys. He was a six-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl VI champion, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. During his first three seasons, Wright was used as a tight end, defensive end and offensive tackle. In 1969, when right tackle Ralph Neely was injured, Coach Tom Landry decided to insert Wright into the lineup. The rest for Big Cat was history.
14. Cliff Harris– Safety
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Dallas Cowboys (1970-79)
Harris was a hard-hitting safety who spent his entire 10-year career with the Cowboys. He was a six-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl VI champion, and was named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team. Harris was known for his toughness and hard hits, making receivers fear coming into the center of the field.
13. Charles Haley– Defensive End/Linebacker
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San Francisco 49ers (1986-91, 98-99), Dallas Cowboys (1992-96)
Haley was a dominant pass rusher who spent five seasons with the Cowboys. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time Super Bowl MVP, and is the first player in NFL history to win five Super Bowl rings. Haley was a member of two 49ers’ championship teams (Super Bowls XXIII and XXIV) before his trade to Dallas. He earned three more Super Bowl rings during his first four seasons with the Cowboys. Haley finished his career with 100.5 sacks and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
12. Jason Witten– Tight End
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Dallas Cowboys (2003-17, 19), Las Vegas Raiders (2020)
Witten was a reliable tight end who spent the majority of his career with the Cowboys. He was a 11-time Pro Bowler, two-time First-team All-Pro selection, and holds numerous franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns by a tight end. Witten was known for his durability and consistency, making him one of the toughest players to guard for opposing defenses.
11. Drew Pearson– Wide Receiver
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Dallas Cowboys (1973-83)
Pearson, known as “Mr. Clutch,” was a key member of the Cowboys’ offense during the 1970s. He was a three-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl XII champion, and was named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team. Pearson finished his career with 7,822 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns.
10. Mel Renfro– Safety/Corner Back
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Dallas Cowboys (1964-77)
Renfro was a versatile defensive back who spent his entire 14-year career with the Cowboys. He was a 10-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl VI champion, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996. Renfro was known for his exceptional speed and ball-hawking ability, making him one of the greatest defensive backs in NFL history.
9. Deion Sanders– Corner Back
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Atlanta Falcons (1989-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994), Dallas Cowboys (1995-99), Washington Redskins (2000), Baltimore Ravens (2004-05)
Sanders, also known as “Prime Time,” was one of the most electrifying players in NFL history. He spent five seasons with the Cowboys and was a key member of their Super Bowl XXX championship team. Sanders was a eight-time Pro Bowler, two-time Super Bowl champion, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
8. Larry Allen– Offensive Guard
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Dallas Cowboys (1994-2005), San Francisco 49ers (2006-07)
Allen was a dominant offensive lineman who spent the majority of his career with the Cowboys. He was an 11-time Pro Bowler, seven-time First-team All-Pro selection, and two-time Super Bowl champion. Allen was known for his strength and athleticism, and paved the way for Emmitt Smith during his illustrious career. Allen played every position on the offensive line except center, showcasing his incredible versatility and unique talent.
7. Tony Dorsett– Running Back
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Dallas Cowboys (1977-88)
Dorsett was a dynamic running back who spent the majority of his career with the Cowboys. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in eight of his first nine seasons and was a key member of the Cowboys’ Super Bowl XII championship team. Dorsett finished his career with 12,739 rushing yards and 77 touchdowns.
6. Michael Irvin– Wide Receiver
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Dallas Cowboys (1988-99)
Irvin, known as “The Playmaker,” was the heart and soul of the Cowboys’ offense during the 1990s. He was a key member of the Cowboys’ three Super Bowl-winning teams (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) and was named to five Pro Bowls. Irvin finished his career with 11,904 receiving yards and 65 touchdowns.
5. Randy White– Defensive Tackle
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Dallas Cowboys (1975-88)
White, nicknamed the “Manster” (half man, half monster), was a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ “Doomsday Defense” in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl XII co-MVP, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
4. Bob Lilly — Defensive Tackle
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Dallas Cowboys (1961-74)
Lilly, also known as “Mr. Cowboy,” was a dominant force on the Cowboys’ defensive line. He was the Dallas Cowboys first ever draft pick in 1961 and played his entire career with the franchise. Lilly was an eleven-time Pro-Bowler and seven-time first team All-Pro, two-time Super Bowl participant (winner of Super Bowl VI), and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
3. Roger Staubach– Quarterback
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Dallas Cowboys (1969-79)
Known as “Captain America,” Staubach was the face of the Cowboys during the 1970s. He led the team to two Super Bowl victories (VI, XII) and earned Super Bowl MVP honors in Super Bowl VI. Staubach was a six-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in passer rating four times. He retired with 22,700 passing yards, 153 touchdowns, and a career passer rating of 83.4.
2. Troy Aikman — Quarterback
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Dallas Cowboys (1989-2000)
Aikman quarterbacked the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) and was named Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXVII. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and finished his career with 32,942 passing yards and 165 touchdowns.
1. Emmitt Smith — Running Back
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Dallas Cowboys (1990-2001), Arizona Cardinals (2003-04)
Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards. A key member of the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty, Smith won three Super Bowls (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) and was named Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXVIII. He was a four-time rushing champion and eight-time Pro Bowler.