The Dallas Cowboys remain the favorites to win the NFC East once again as the 2015 NFL season is quickly approaching.

Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and an elite offensive line led by Tyron Smith makes up one of the best passing attacks in the league. Even Terrance Williams helps add a mid range threat for this offense. One of the most underrated players on the Cowboys heading into this season is receiver Cole Beasley.

Beasley has increased his receiving yards, games played and touchdowns in all three years of his career so far. Last season Beasley had just 37 catches, but for over 11 yards per reception. Beasley isn't a deep threat for Romo, but he catches a lot of passes in the slot area extending plays for first downs, moving the chains, and he's quick after the catch.

Because of his playing style, Beasley is sometimes compared to one Wes Welker.

Welker is arguably the best pure slot receiver of all-time having caught 100 balls and 1,000 yards in a season five times in his career. Like Beasley, Welker was never a deep threat, nor did he ever command double teams with his small size. Welker made his career in the slot area catching dinks and dunks from Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, and unfortunately suffering some head injuries because of the high contact hits by linebackers instead of downfield safeties.

Speaking of Welker, he is currently an unrestricted free agent.

With DeMarco Murray no longer on the roster, Beasley will more than likely have a bigger role this upcoming season. That's not to discredit Joseph Randle, but he's just not Murray. Beasley catching short yardage passes can easily make up for his loss and somewhat substitute for a ground game. For the wide majority of Brady's career he hasn't had a big name running back, but Bill Belichick always implements a player who can deliver in the slot. Examples include Welker, Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman.

Beasley played a big role in the Cowboys playoff victory last year over the Detroit Lions. He had 63 receiving yards in a 24-20 win.

Beasley is under contract until the end of the 2018 NFL season, so the Cowboys have him locked up for a low price for quite some time. Bryant is obviously one of the best wide outs in the game today, but his future remains in question. Cowboys fans may not see Bryant on the roster for more than another year, and Williams may become the go to guy. Keeping Beasley as an insurance plan is a wise by move Jerry Jones.

The Philadelphia Eagles will be a solid quad once again, and the New York Giants can never be counted out with Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning. The Cowboys are favored to win the NFC East for a second consecutive year, and Beasley could very well be the X factor that makes the difference.

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter