When it comes to explosive plays down the field, the Cowboys ranked middle of the pack after the 2021 season, according to Sharp Football Analyst. Dallas finished 14th out of the 32 NFL teams in explosive play rate. These plays are classified as any pass that gains 20+ yards or any rush that gains 10+ yards.
During the 2021 season, the Cowboys recorded 121 total explosive plays, 54 of them coming via the ground and the other 67 through the air. With Amari Cooper now catching passes from Deshaun Watson in Cleveland, Dallas is going to have to find a way to fill his production, even more so if Michael Gallup can not recover from his torn ACL by the time kickoff starts in September.
A name to keep an eye on for Dallas is who they took with their 3rd round pick, Jalen Tolbert out of South Alabama at pick no. 88.
Tolbert tallied a total of 82 receptions, over 1,400 yards, and eight touchdowns during his senior season at South Alabama.
His ability to find separation down the field and find an opening in the defense is what stands out the most though, since 2019, no other receiver in FBS had more catches of 15 or more yards than Tolbert. He was able to record 77 which was most among FBS wideouts.
This could result in great things for the Cowboys down the field. The attention that CeeDee Lamb and Gallup could create, along with free-agent signee, James Washington stretching the field, could result in leaving Tolbert with a favorable match-up with a smaller defensive back or just letting him do what he does so well and make a play in the open field.
Let’s hope Kellen Moore has some gadget plays up his sleeve so Tolbert can make a splash in this offense and possibly find themselves inside the top 10 in explosive plays after the season comes to an end.