CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks are safely set on prime of the receiver depth chart for the Cowboys, however the absence of Michael Gallup has created a emptiness for the No. 3 function in 2024. A transparent candidate is in place to occupy it.
Jon Machota of The Athletic confirms Jalen Tolbert is the “front-runner” to function Dallas’ different beginning wideout (subscription required). The 2022 third-rounder had a sparse offensive function as a rookie, logging simply 89 snaps. Final 12 months, although, his offensive snap share rose to 40%. Tolbert scored a pair of touchdowns whereas averaging 12.2 yards per catch in his rotational function.
After all, this replace comes as little shock. Dallas’ resolution to maneuver on from Gallup in a cost-shedding transfer was not adopted up by a veteran addition. In consequence, Tolbert was firmly among the many group’s youthful pass-catchers in line to see an uptick in utilization. The 25-year-old’s efficiency in coaching camp might be value monitoring as he appears to be like to cement a first-team function.
Lamb’s unsure contract standing has been a central storyline for the Cowboys this offseason, and little progress has been made in negotiations. The All-Professional may very effectively maintain out throughout coaching camp if no extension settlement is reached within the coming weeks, a transfer which might fall according to his OTA and minicamp absences. Lacking common season time – one thing which might clearly not be assured by a coaching camp holdout – could be crucial for the Cowboys given Lamb’s franchise record-breaking efficiency in 2023.
No matter if Lamb is current throughout camp, Cooks will function in one other beginning spot. The latter had a powerful debut season in Dallas (657 yards, eight touchdowns) as a complementary possibility, a task which he’ll keep in 2024. Expectations might be excessive for Tolbert presuming he does get the nod for first-team duties this 12 months, and his capability to deal with a rise in targets could possibly be an necessary think about figuring out Dallas’ offensive success. Failing that, different choices for a bigger function embrace the likes of KaVontae Turpin, Racey McMath, Ryan Flournoy and Jalen Brooks.
