The sweat may be pooling up in all the wrong places, but, before you know it, changing leaves, cool temperatures and football will be in the air. To help fantasy managers and devoted bettors get through summer’s soaring heat, The Gaming Juice’s resident gridiron gambler, Brad Evans, is here to preview each NFL franchise -- fantasy values, prop picks and team win totals. Channeling Richard Dent, Reggie White and J.J. Watt, the Three-Point Stance has eyes on sacking the sportsbooks and fantasy rivals.
Today’s featured squad: Dallas Cowboys
Fantasy value - Jaydon Blue, RB (ADP: 133.93, RB44) - Sorry green, but for fantasy thrift shoppers Blue could be the color of money.
The initial camp report that claimed the rookie looked 'lazy' has already proven unfounded. Doom-scrolling regularly on X in recent days has unveiled one Blue highlight run after another. Next to George Pickens, the youngster has arguably been the most eye-popping player at Cowboys camp in Oxnard.
At 5-foot-9 and 196 pounds, the former Texas standout is on the smallish side. But as his 4.43 40-yard wheels suggest, he’s broken numerous open-field runs, sprinting away from second-level defenders en route to finishing house calls.
His uncomplicated transition demands your attention. It’s not like Javonte Williams or any other running back on the roster is Emmitt Smith in his prime.
Last season in Austin, Blue posted impressive advanced numbers. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked top 15 nationally in YAC per attempt (3.83) and missed tackles forced per attempt (0.273). He also displayed tender hands, reeling in 42 receptions in 15 games.
Already earning first-team snaps and rave beat-writer reviews, Blue is worth backing at his super cheap ADP. Williams is the presumed starter Week 1, but the rising rook has arguably the best chance to emerge as this year’s Bucky Irving.
Prop pick - Dak Prescott 4000+ pass yards (+110, BetMGM) - The Dak attack is about to bring the bombardments.
Prescott unleashes should be commonplace this fall in Little D. The 'Boys questionable defense combined with the dynamic duo of CeeDee Lamb and Pickens along with Brian Schottenheimer's aggressive vertical play calling -- Dallas ranked No. 6 in pass percentage in 2024 -- imply the franchise passer could uncork some 600 times this season.
Last fall limited to only eight games due to a nasty hamstring tear, he had backers on tilt. However, healthy and looking sharp in camp, he should return to his 4,000-pass yards form, a plateau he's reached three times since 2019. Keep in mind, Dak finished top-12 in deep-ball completion percentage and adjusted completion percentage in '24. And that was accomplished with a ragtag group of receivers outside of Lamb.
Pickens' supreme field-stretching ability could catapult Prescott to the top of the pass yardage ranks. At +1000 to set the league pace in the category at BetMGM, it's another betting opportunity to debate.
Bottom line: The offering above should be well into minus territory. Considering it's +110, throw a few cow chips on it and pray the star shines.
Team lean - Cowboys OVER 7.5 regular season wins (-135, BetMGM) - The Cowpokes have rarely earned rodeo ribbons in recent seasons. However, the offense should be vastly improved. It's in the conversation to be one of the NFC's best.
Yes, defensive concerns are warranted. Also, irreplaceable OT Tyler Guyton's multi-week knee injury suffered last week in camp prompts questions. Even with the bookend on the field, Dallas' offensive line is likely a bottom-half group.
ESPN's Mike Clay forecasts 7.8 wins for Jerry Jones' 'Boys this year, giving them a 50% or greater win probability in just seven games. If they can steal a win or two in expected close-shave home matchups versus Green Bay, Washington and Minnesota they will cash the OVER, provided they take care of business against the meek.
In the NFC East pecking order, Dallas is this writer's pick to finish right behind division titan Philadelphia.