The Dallas Cowboys have experienced reasonable turnover on the offensive side of the ball this offseason, including 2 starting offensive lineman: Pro Bowler, Tyler Biadasz, and All-Pro, Tyron Smith; in addition to lead back, Tony Pollard.
Dallas Cowboys May Regret 2022 Michael Gallup Contract
However, one position that has remained mostly constant is at wide receiver, where the Cowboys return 4 out of their top 5 by snap count from the 2023. The sole loss is former WR3, Michael Gallup who, after a pair of nice 1,107 and 843 seasons respectively in 2019 and 2020, has been unable to follow through on that production in the past 3 years, amassing fewer than 500 receiving yards in each season since.
Despite signing a fairly substantial 5 year, $62.5 million deal before the start of the 2022 season, the former Colorado State man has been able to replicate his early career production since a torn ACL suffered in Week 17 of the 2021 season.
After deciding to cut their losses and part ways with Gallup this March, bringing in no immediate natural replacement (except perhaps for the selection of Southeast Missouri State in the 6th round of this past draft), it has seemed apparent that the Cowboys would have to find their new starting wideout from within the building.
Given the amount of snaps played on offense throughout the season, and the general structure of the team, this race to be Dallas’ new #3 receiver has essentially been a head to head between former 3rd round pick, Jalen Tolbert, and 2019 undrafted free agent & Pro Bowl return specialist, KaVontae Turpin.
Now, it seems like one has the upper hand on the other to be the expected starter for this upcoming season, per Jon Machota of The Athletic (via ProFootballRumors).
Entering his third season with the #Cowboys, Jalen Tolbert is projected to step into a starting role:https://t.co/8RhwrQg2n0
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) June 28, 2024
Jalen Tolbert Expected To Be A Starting Wide Receiver For The Dallas Cowboys This Upcoming Season
Jalen Tolbert has had a mellow start to his Cowboy career, generating just 280 in his first 2 seasons in the league, despite appearing in all 17 regular season games in 2023.
Behind what is a strong pass cataching group in Dallas, with All-Pro CeeDee Lamb, 9,000+ yard career receiver, Brandin Cooks – who has, shockingly, never gone to the Pro Bowl – and the aforementioned Gallup, Tolbert still managed to get just over 500 snaps on offense in 2023.
Yet, with what has been an A level pass catching calibre tandem in Lamb and tight end, Jake Ferguson, quarterback Dak Prescott preferred to donate the majority of his targets to his most trusted receivers.
Although there has been some recent stigma over slower-developing receivers, with many pundits claiming that wideouts are so pro-ready that a lack of performance over the first couple of years can signify a lack of ability or poor work ethic which may rule out the chances of future success.
However, the Cowboys have a strong track record at being patient in developing draft picks on both sides of the ball, with the recently departed former 4th round pick, Biadasz a testament to this, having only come into his own as a starting interior offensive lineman in year 3.
This is far from a set conclusion, with the highly impressive Turpin still very much in contention to start and torch defenses with his 4.3 pace that makes him. such a lethal kick returner. Either way, this will be an interesting battle between for the 2.
And if its too close to call, they can just split the time on the field.
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