Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy suggested Wednesday that Tolbert could be in line for an increased role on offense with Brandin Cooks (knee) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers, and possibly longer, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. "I love the guys we have here," McCarthy said. "The two Jalens [Tolbert and Jalen Brooks], this is more opportunities for them, [KaVontae] Turpin. Yeah, love our practice squad guys. We'll be in good shape [at receiver]." Tolbert has already been a regular fixture in three-receiver sets this season, with his snap shares ranging from 67 to 85 percent through four games. While Cooks' absence may not necessarily lead to a dramatic spike in playing time for Tolbert, the 4.8 targets per contest that Cooks had been averaging could be redistributed to Tolbert and others. CeeDee Lamb and tight end Jake Ferguson will likely continue to rank as quarterback Dak Prescott's preferred options in the passing game, but with none of the team's running backs representing major receiving threats, Tolbert could emerge as the clear No. 3 target sans Cooks.
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DraftKings points 7.2FanDuel Points 6.0REC 2.5REC YDS 33.5LNG 18.6TD 0.3CBSS fantasy points 5.1ESPN fantasy points 5.1Yahoo fantasy points 6.4
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Full season projectionsREC 22.7REC YDS 263.8LNG 20.0
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy suggested Wednesday that Tolbert could be in line for an increased role on offense with Brandin Cooks (knee) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers, and possibly longer, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. "I love the guys we have here," McCarthy said. "The two Jalens [Tolbert and Jalen Brooks], this is more opportunities for them, [KaVontae] Turpin. Yeah, love our practice squad guys. We'll be in good shape [at receiver]." Tolbert has already been a regular fixture in three-receiver sets this season, with his snap shares ranging from 67 to 85 percent through four games. While Cooks' absence may not necessarily lead to a dramatic spike in playing time for Tolbert, the 4.8 targets per contest that Cooks had been averaging could be redistributed to Tolbert and others. CeeDee Lamb and tight end Jake Ferguson will likely continue to rank as quarterback Dak Prescott's preferred options in the passing game, but with none of the team's running backs representing major receiving threats, Tolbert could emerge as the clear No. 3 target sans Cooks.
Tolbert brought in all three targets for 24 yards in the Cowboys' 20-15 win over the Giants on Thursday night. Tolbert was a distant third to CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson in the pass-catching hierarchy, but he notably recorded two more receptions and eight more yards than No. 2 receiver Brandin Cooks. Tolbert now has more receptions and receiving yards than Cooks in three straight games, while the former's 17 targets over that span also notably outpace the latter's 12 in the same span. It remains to be seen if there will be any official depth chart swap between the two wideouts, but either way, Tolbert figures to have a modest but reliable role in a Week 5 road matchup against the Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 6.
Tolbert caught three of five targets for 42 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. The third-year wideout was on the other end of Dak Prescott's first TD pass of the game, a 15-yard strike midway through the fourth quarter as the Cowboys tried to rally from a 28-6 deficit. Tolbert has out-produced Brandin Cooks in back-to-back games, and through three weeks the younger player has a 10-136-1 line on 16 targets compared to Cooks' 8-75-1 line on 15 targets. Tolbert could continue to push for the team's No. 2 receiver role in Week 4 against the Giants.
Tolbert caught six of nine targets for 82 yards in Sunday's 44-19 loss to the Saints. The third-year wideout led the Cowboys in targets on the afternoon, and his receptions and yardage were both career highs. Tolbert had a quiet performance in the team's opener, but his usage Sunday dwarfed Brandin Cooks, who saw only two targets, and is a good sign that the 2022 third-round pick could be headed for a breakout campaign. Tolbert will attempt to build on this effort in Week 3 against the Ravens.
Tolbert didn't suit up for any of Dallas' preseason contests this year. Dak Prescott and the rest of the team's first-string players were kept out of the preseason entirely, with Tolbert counting among that group. The 2022 third-round pick could be poised for a big role to begin the season with CeeDee Lamb still holding out and Brandin Cooks (knee) not 100 percent, as Tolbert looks to build on the 22-268-2 line on 36 targets he compiled over 17 regular-season games last year.
Tolbert has been one of the most impressive players so far in Cowboys training camp, Nick Harris of the team's website reports. With CeeDee Lamb holding out while seeking a contract extension, Tolbert has used the available first-team reps to solidify his hold on the WR3 job. The third-year player out of South Alabama was the wideout who worked with Dak Prescott the most this offseason, and the duo is flashing much-improved chemistry in camp. If Lamb's holdout extends into the regular season, or he has a slow start due to the time he missed, Tolbert seems positioned to burst out of the gates on the 2024 campaign.
Tolbert made a spectacular red-zone catch on the first day of training camp practices Thursday, and quarterback Dak Prescott is expecting a breakout campaign from the wideout, Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com reports. "He's worked all offseason and he's gonna make another jump from year two to year three as he did from one to two," Prescott said after practice. "Super proud of him and everything he's done. That catch is a testament to our connection, my trust in him and the hard work he's put in this offseason." A golden opportunity lies in front of Tolbert to begin camp, as CeeDee Lamb is holding out while seeking a contract extension, Michael Gallup is no longer on the roster and Brandin Cooks will turn 31 years old in September and may have lost a step. A third-round pick in 2022, Tolbert began to turn his athleticism into production last year while suiting up for all 17 games, and if he takes the leap forward that Prescott is predicting, he could become a key target for a QB who led the league in passing TDs in 2023 and finished third in passing yards.
Tolbert is in line for a larger role this season after working as the Cowboys' No. 4 WR in 2023, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News reports After playing just 89 snaps on offense as a rookie, the 2022 third-round pick got a lot more playing time (477 snaps) in his second season, essentially splitting the No. 3 receiver role with Michael Gallup for much of the year. Gallup is now in Las Vegas and hasn't been replaced by a similar veteran or early draft pick, leaving Tolbert as the likely third WR behind entrenched starters CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. While the role won't necessarily entail a large quantity of targets, Tolbert at least would be positioned for a degree of fantasy value if Lamb were to miss any time with an injury.
He was one of 10 different Cowboys to catch passes from Dak Prescott on the afternoon, with Tolbert posting gains of 31 and 18 yards on his two grabs. The second-year wideout still doesn't have a big role in the offense, but he's pushing Michael Gallup for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart and has caught at least two passes in four straight games, posting a 9-112-1 line on 18 targets over that stretch compared to Gallup's 8-133-1 performance on 11 targets.