Few NFL franchises can match the Cowboys’ star power. With five Super Bowl titles and a 2026 valuation of around $15.5 billion, Dallas remains one of the league’s biggest names, and Sportico has it sitting atop the rankings again.

That history is reflected in the Cowboys’ all-time greats, too. With Dallas’ Super Bowl glory concentrated in the 1970s and 1990s, those championship eras naturally dominate the franchise’s list of legends.

10. Rayfield Wright

Rayfield Wright became one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles during the 1970s. He made six straight Pro Bowls from 1971–76 and earned four All-Pro selections during that stretch.

His recognition eventually caught up with his dominance. Wright entered the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 2004 before reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame two years later.

9. Tony Dorsett

The Cowboys official website list also noted thatTony Dorsett wasted little time making his mark. As a rookie, he rushed for four touchdowns during Dallas’ 1977 playoff run to its second Super Bowl title.

Dorsett became a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the Cowboys’ most reliable stars, missing just 10 games across 11 seasons in Dallas.

8. Michael Irvin

Michael Irvin was the emotional engine of the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty. Alongside Aikman and Smith, he helped Dallas win three Super Bowls in four seasons.

He led the NFL in receiving yards in 1991 and later set the Cowboys’ single-season receiving record with 1,603 yards in 1995.

7. Mel Renfro

Mel Renfro quickly became a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks after moving to cornerback.

At one point, teams barely dared to throw his way. Renfro still owns Cowboys records for career interceptions and interception return yards, while his 10 Pro Bowl selections remain among the most in franchise history.

6. Randy White

Randy White was a defensive force for the Cowboys and one of the most dominant players at his position.

A nine-time Pro Bowler and seven-time first-team All-Pro, White shared Super Bowl XII MVP honors with Harvey Martin—the only co-MVPs in Super Bowl history.

5. Larry Allen

Larry Allen brought a different kind of dominance to Dallas. Strength, toughness, and power defined one of the greatest guards the NFL has ever seen.

Allen made 10 Pro Bowls with the Cowboys and once reportedly bench-pressed more than 700 pounds. His dominance eventually earned him first-ballot Hall of Fame status.

4. Troy Aikman

The Cowboys needed a franchise quarterback when they selected Troy Aikman No. 1 overall in 1989. They found exactly that. Aikman became the face of Dallas’ 1990s dynasty, winning three Super Bowls in four seasons and earning Super Bowl XXVII MVP honors after throwing four touchdowns.

3. Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith made a bold promise on draft day in 1990: he would become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. He didn’t just talk about it—he delivered.

Smith posted 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons, won four rushing titles and captured NFL MVP honors in 1993. He also led Dallas to three Super Bowl wins.

2. Bob Lilly

Bob Lilly was the Cowboys’ first-ever draft pick and quickly earned the nickname “Mr. Cowboy.” He became the first player inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor and the first Cowboys star in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

His signature moment came in Super Bowl VI, when his 29-yard sack helped Dallas dominate Miami 24-3 and claim its first Lombardi Trophy.

1. Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach had to wait five years after Dallas drafted him because of his military commitment, including time in Vietnam. But once he arrived, the Cowboys got one of the greatest quarterbacks in franchise history.

Across the 1970s, Staubach led the NFL in wins and passer rating, taking Dallas to four Super Bowls and winning two. He also earned six Pro Bowl selections and Super Bowl VI MVP honors.

From Staubach and Lilly to Aikman, Smith and Irvin, Dallas’ legends helped define its championship eras. With five Lombardi trophies behind them, these names remain central to the Cowboys’ enduring legacy.

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