FRISCO, Texas – Looking back on the 2018 Dallas Cowboys’ season, the impact of Amari Cooper’s acquisition in week nine on Dallas’ struggling passing game is undeniable. However, several other first-year players wearing a Star concluded the season more under the radar but had the same influence on the gridiron as their deep-threat teammate.
Antwaun Woods:
Woods began as a fourth string player at the outset of the 2018 season heading into Training Camp in Oxnard. He quickly impressed during one-on-one pass protection drills and moved up in rank to becoming a starting nose tackle for the Dallas Cowboys. Throughout the course of the season, he had incredible penetration on opposing offensive fronts at the line of scrimmage. Woods recorded 15 solo tackles, 34 combined, 1.5 sacks, and a pass defend. He beat opposing centers off the snap of the ball and clogged the ‘A gap,’ making it difficult for offenses to get their ground attack rolling.
Earlier in the season, Jason Garrett remarked on Woods, “You don’t see nose tackles getting off the line and off the ball that fast.”
Woods’ role in the interior of the Cowboys’ d-line is essential and his success story is just getting started.
Blake Jarwin:
Jarwin started one game in 2017 with Dallas, but after the retirement of long-time beloved tight end, Jason Witten, the Cowboys were looking for their next premiere ‘Y option’ guy for 2018. Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin were the top two guys for the job heading into the 2018 season. After missing four games, the Cowboys moved Swaim to injured reserve due to a wrist injury in December. Jarwin’s role in the Cowboys’ passing game increased and he did not disappoint. He had a huge impact on third down and red zone situations, finding chemistry with Dak Prescott. When Cooper was double teamed, Jarwin helped carry the Cowboys’ offense.
In the season finale against the New York Giants, Jarwin had a record-setting day and was the recipient of three TD passes. Dallas was able to take advantage of the Giants’ zone coverage with the explosiveness of Jarwin throughout the course of the ballgame. In the first half, Jarwin caught a 13-yard pass from Prescott for the first score of the night and on the team’s next drive, connected again with Dak on a 19-yard pass to extend the lead. With five minutes left in the third, the trend continued; Jarwin caught a 39-yard bomb from Prescott for the touchdown. That game displayed his full potential and promise in the future for America’s Team. He concluded the 2018 season with 27 receptions for 307 yards, an average of 11.4 yards after the catch, and three TD’s.
“ [Jarwin] played with conviction. You saw him playing faster and more decisively…and the young guy’s confidence developing, “ Garrett commented following the 2018 season.
