Cowboys WR ‘Weakness’: Sign Jarvis Landry Vs. Jalen Tolbert Hope?
Following the NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys roster looks solidified at all positions and can now deploy a strong group of starters. However, in the eyes of some, the bench could still use some upgrades.
In a recent article by ESPN, they identified a lack of depth at two offensive positions as the team’s most glaring weaknesses. First amongst positions ESPN believed could use some more experienced depth at is wide receiver.
“The current No. 4 option is Jalen Tolbert, who was targeted just three times in eight games as a rookie. Third-year receiver Simi Fehoko had a little more usage than Tolbert (three catches). KaVontae Turpin is really just a return specialist, and the Cowboys didn’t draft a receiver this year until Jalen Brooks in the seventh round,” ESPN said. “There will be real trouble if CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks or Michael Gallup suffers an injury.”
Although the starters figure to be explosive, it’s hard to deny that should any of them miss time, the offense could struggle. There’s not a backup that has shown themselves capable of handling an increased role in the offense.
Last season Cowboys Country had high hopes for how Tolbert would perform as a rookie who was expected to be prominently featured with Amari Cooper having been shipped out of Dallas and Gallup recovered from injury. However, his 12 receiving yards in 2022 prompted speculation that he might not even make the roster next season.
Looking at a veteran wideout, such as five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry, might be in the team’s best interest since he’s a much more proven commodity than the roster’s current depth.
Second on ESPN’s list of needs for the Cowboys is running back. “Deuce Vaughn is a great story, drafted by the team for which his father is a scout, and he did well in Football Outsiders’ BackCAST projections. Still, the Cowboys could use a veteran on a cost-effective contract to round out their backfield,” ESPN said.
Lost in the sentimental narrative of being selected by his father’s team is the fact that Vaughn can actually play football. Against an SEC Juggernaut, the Alabama Crimson Tide, last season, Vaughn ran for 133 yards and a touchdown despite leaving the game early due to an injury.
Yes, he’s undersized, but rather than dismissing him as a mere feel-good selection, maybe he should get the chance to prove himself on Sundays before being buried on a depth chart to veterans.
A veteran crop of running backs headlined by: Ezekiel Elliott, whom Dallas chose to move on from, and Leonard Fournette, a man who was second on the depth chart behind Ronald Jones before an injury allowed Fournette to start and become ‘Playoff Lenny’ in 2020...the Cowboys might be set at running back unless their backups prove incapeable.
Whether Dallas agrees with the media’s perceived lack of depth at skill positions will be proven by any signings they might make leading up to Mandatory Minicamp in June.
You can follow Isaiah DeAnda Delgado on Twitter and Instagram @IsaiahDDelgado.
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