The Dallas Cowboys are preparing to play an Aaron Rodgers-less New York Jets team.
While inserting Zach Wilson changes the dynamic of the upcoming game, it is essential to note that it will likely be a defensive battle.
Therefore, this Dallas team must bring their best performance to AT&T stadium, as they previously lost to their upcoming opponents when Sam Darnold led the charge.
Nevertheless, this offense can make defenses uncomfortable with playmakers at Dak Prescott’s disposal.
Some will be primary playmakers, while others carry the secondary tag.
KaVontae Turpin falls in the latter category, but will Mike McCarthy continue to find ways to get him involved?
It’s early, but the answer has to be yes.
Coach McCarthy was able to double-dip with Turpin last Sunday
Last season, KaVontae Turpin earned his stripes on special teams.
He made a Pro Bowl nod in his inaugural season. Even still, everyone could see he had more that he could do.
Fans screamed left and right that Turpin should get more touches at the wide receiver position.
Unfortunately, that did not come to fruition.
KaVontae ended last season with one reception on one target. In fairness, only a few receivers go from the USFL to the NFL and have an easy transition.
That was then, and this is now.
In 2023, he already has three times as many targets in one game as last season.
The cherry on the top was the rushing attempts. He gained 14 yards on three carries and one touchdown.
It is a small sample size in a vacuum, so I’m hesitant to put the cart before the horse.
However, Head Coach Mike McCarthy gave the NFL a little taste of what Turpin could be.
He was targeted two times in the slot and one out wide.
What’s more impressive is the fact that McCarthy didn’t fall into throwing the ball all over the field because more receivers were in the formation.
He stuck to the game plan, sprinkled Turpin at various times in the ball game, and allowed their overall speed to impact situational football.
The Jets May present more challenges but Turpin will get additional opportunities
A slightly different challenge awaits Dallas this upcoming Sunday.
This New York Jets defense has playmakers that may match up better with Dallas’ speed than the G-Men.
Not to mention, their defensive strategy under Head Coach Robert Saleh is to trust their defensive front four and play everything else in front of them.
While the hybrid defenders may be prevalent in Dallas, it’s not quite as much with the Jets.
They have a standard 4-3 defense with really good linebackers in Quincy Williams and C.J. Mosley.
With Brandin Cooks’ status for Sunday up in the air, the Cowboys may look to utilize KaVontae in combination with Jalen Tolbert.
Dallas will have more opportunities to insert Turpin in the passing and running games.
Will he get 20 touches? Not a chance.
However, if he gets another 7 to 10 chances with the ball in his hands, it will be one more thing for the Jets to focus on, which could slant the scale in Dallas’ favor.
The Dallas Cowboys have the weapons, and I don’t believe Mike has fully opened up the playbook yet.
We’re heading into week 2. Can you blame him?
McCarthy has been down this road with a player with a similar skillset but different physical attributes.
Ty Montgomery played his first season in 2015 in Green Bay and had 15 receptions on 18 targets.
His sophomore season under the then-Packers head coach, he burst onto the scene with 44 receptions on 49 targets with an additional 457 rushing yards on 77 attempts.
Will Turpin be the Cowboys’ version of Montgomery this season?
Time will tell, but we have the right coach to make it happen against the Jets.
