Last week we looked at how to fix what ails the Dallas Cowboys front office. We also took a hard look at the quarterbacks and running backs.
After a few days off – you try keeping Jerry locked up without him slipping out the keyhole – we’re back at it.
Now we examine the wide receivers and tight ends. Dak Prescott will need to see some new targets in 2024.
Buckle up, this isn’t going to be pretty.
Gallup On Out Of Here
I think we can all agree the Cowboys kept the wrong guy when they extended Michael Gallup and shipped Amari Cooper off to Cleveland.
In two years with the Browns, Cooper has averaged 55 catches for 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns. All better numbers than he had with Dallas.
In those same two years Gallup has a total of 842 yards on 73 catches and six touchdowns.
We can’t undo the trade but we can cut out losses. Gallup has to be gone.
Keep On Cooking
In his first year in Dallas, Brandin Cooks hauled in 54 catches for 657 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Cowboys need to move heaven and earth to keep Cooks in Dallas next year. Both he and CeeDee Lamb were the most reliable receivers in 2023.
Jalen Tolbert will be in his third year this fall – typically the year a wide receiver breaks out or fades away.
Jalen Brooks showed flashes of future promise in his limited rookie season. Brooks caught all six passes thrown in his direction and four were for first downs.
It’s time for the younger receivers to step up in 2024.
The Tight Ends
Jake Ferguson made everyone forget all about Dalton Schultz in 2023.
He had 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns. The Cowboys are set at the starting tight end position.
But the depth chart after Ferguson is shaky.
Rookie Luke Schoonmaker did not impress. He had eight catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns.
He also ran a route too shallow that cost the Cowboys a win in Philadelphia.
Schoonmaker will need to elevate his game this fall, especially as neither Peyton Hendershot nor Sean McKeon fared much better in 2023.
Looking For Help In The Draft
Ideally, as the GM, I’d love to land Marvin Harrison Jr.
But there is simply no way he falls down to 24. And any trade to move up high enough would almost demand that pick be used at running back.
So, as far as the wide receivers go, I’m not expecting one to be drafted.
And under no circumstance whatsoever are we pulling the trigger on drafting tight end before the sixth round.
Especially one with a serious foot injury that was known prior to the draft.
Dallas’ history of drafting tight ends in the second round is nightmarish. We need to stop repeating the same mistakes.
Help Awaits In Free Agency
The good news is that there are a lot of wide receivers that will be on the market this spring.
I know everyone and his brother has their eyes on Mike Evans down in Tampa Bay. But our target is playing a little to the northeast.
I’m going after Calvin Ridley.
After serving his suspension for a gambling issue, Ridley bounced back in Jacksonville in a huge way.
In his first year with the Jaguars – and his fifth NFL season – Ridley played in all 17 games. He had 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns.
Put him in with Lamb and Cooks and opposing defenses are going to be hitting the Pepto Bismol hard.
The one free agent tight end I’d target is the Denver’s Adam Trautman. He’s a solid run blocker who can catch an occasional pass.
Remember, we’re looking to beef up and pound the ball more. We need Trautman and his size to do that.