Dallas Cowboys: Career Touchdown Leaders, by number of touchdowns
PlayerNo of touchdowns scored
Emmitt Smith164
Tony Dorsett86
Ezekiel Elliott80
Bob Hayes76
Dez Bryant75
Jason Witten72
Michael Irvin65
Marion Barber53
Tony Hill51
Frank Clarke51
Drew Pearson50
Calvin Hill45
Don Perkins45
Dan Reeves42
Billy Joe DuPree42
Walt Garrison39
Terrell Owens38
Ron Springs38
Robert Newhouse36
Miles Austin35
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: 1960 to 2024
  • Published: Mar 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Emmitt Smith's Unmatched Record

Emmitt Smith leads with a staggering 164 touchdowns, showcasing his dominant position in the Dallas Cowboys' history. His achievement is nearly double that of Tony Dorsett, who ranks second with 86 touchdowns. Smith's record highlights not only his exceptional skill and consistency but also his critical role in the team's offensive strategies over the years.

Top Three Touchdown Scorers

The trio of Emmitt Smith, Tony Dorsett, and Ezekiel Elliott collectively accounts for 330 touchdowns, which is over 48% of the total touchdowns scored by the top 20 players listed. This concentration of touchdowns among the top three scorers underscores the impact of star running backs in the team's scoring capabilities throughout its history.

Receivers and Running Backs Dominance

Wide receivers and running backs prominently feature among the Cowboys' touchdown leaders, with Dez Bryant being the highest-scoring wide receiver with 75 touchdowns and Emmitt Smith, a running back, topping the chart. This distribution highlights the diverse offensive strategies employed by the Cowboys, relying on both the rushing and passing games to score.

Close Competition Among Elite Receivers

A tight competition exists among the Cowboys' elite receivers, with only one touchdown separating Bob Hayes (76 touchdowns) from Dez Bryant (75 touchdowns). This minimal gap illustrates the high level of competition and the marginal differences that distinguish the legacies of these celebrated players within the franchise.

Hallmarks of Consistency

Jason Witten and Michael Irvin, with 72 and 65 touchdowns respectively, exemplify consistency and longevity. Their ability to consistently contribute to the team's scoring over the years reflects not only their individual talents but also the Cowboys' successful integration of tight ends and wide receivers into their offensive playbook.

Evolving Role of the Tight End

The evolving role of tight ends in the Cowboys' offense is evident, with Jason Witten ranking among the top touchdown scorers with 72 touchdowns. His prominence underscores the strategic use of the tight end position not just for blocking duties but as a reliable target in the red zone.

Legacy of the 1980s and 1990s Cowboys

The list is notably populated by players from the 1980s and 1990s, indicating a golden era for the Cowboys. Players like Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Troy Aikman (not listed but implicitly part of the era's success) symbolize a period of dominance and high-scoring offenses that left a lasting impact on the franchise's legacy.

Recent Stars and Future Potential

Ezekiel Elliott emerges as the most recent star on this list with 80 touchdowns, underscoring his potential to climb higher in the rankings. His performance reflects the current generation's contribution to the Cowboys' storied history and suggests a promising future for the team's offensive capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who leads in the Dallas Cowboys' history with the most touchdowns?

Emmitt Smith leads the Dallas Cowboys' history with a staggering 164 touchdowns.

Who is the highest-scoring wide receiver in the Dallas Cowboys' history?

Dez Bryant is the highest-scoring wide receiver in the Cowboys' history with 75 touchdowns.

Who is the most recent star to emerge in the Dallas Cowboys' history with significant touchdown numbers?

Ezekiel Elliott is the most recent star to emerge in the Cowboys' history with 80 touchdowns.

Terms and Definitions

The Dallas Cowboys is a professional American football team. They are one of the teams in the National Football League (NFL) and compete against other teams in the league.

Career touchdown leaders are the players who have scored the highest number of touchdowns throughout their entire career with a specific team or in the league overall. The ranking usually reflects their scoring ability and their significant contribution to the team.

In American football, a touchdown is the primary method a team uses to score points. This involves a player carrying the ball into the opposing team's end zone, or catching a pass in the end zone, which results in six points.

The National Football League, abbreviated to NFL, is a professional American football league in the United States. It consists of 32 teams, each divided between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC).

American football is a team sport that is played between two teams of eleven players each. The objective is to move a ball into the opponent's end zone for a touchdown, or kick the ball through the opponent's goalposts for a field goal.

In American football, the end zone is a 10-yard section at both ends of the field. The objective of the game is to get the ball into the opponent's end zone for a touchdown.

The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League. The conference is made up of sixteen teams from across the United States.

The National Football Conference, also known as the NFC, is one of two conferences in the National Football League. It also consists of sixteen teams, including the Dallas Cowboys.
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The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, split equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). Read more »