Fantasy Alert: Cowboys’ Jalen Tolbert Hyped by Brandin Cooks; ‘He’s Ready to Go’

Adam WellsMay 25, 2024

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The already-loaded offensive depth chart for the Dallas Cowboys could have another weapon in 2024 if fantasy managers are looking for a deep sleeper to keep an eye on.

Speaking to reporters from Cowboys’ OTAs this week, Brandin Cooks likes what he has seen from Jalen Tolbert going into his third season.

“He’s ready to go,” Cooks said of his teammate. “Whatever the expectation is for him out there, I’m telling you he’s going to crush it. He’s ready.”

There is an opening at the No. 3 receiver spot in Dallas this season. Michael Gallup was released by the team in March after two disappointing seasons coming off a torn ACL in 2021.

CeeDee Lamb is going to be Dak Prescott’s favorite target. He has led the team in targets and receptions in each of the past three seasons. Third-year tight end Jake Ferguson could see an increased workload after setting career-highs in targets (102), receptions (71), yards (761) and receiving touchdowns (five) in 2023.

Behind that duo, though, things could be wide open for someone to emerge. Cooks will be the starting receiver opposite Lamb, but he’s coming off an inconsistent first season with the Cowboys. He only had three games with more than 50 receiving yards last year.

Tolbert, a third-round draft pick in 2022, should see the field more because Gallup is no longer on the roster. He played fewer than 50 percent of the offensive snaps in 15 of 17 games last year.

Banking on Tolbert to be a consistent producer in fantasy is a huge risk at this point. Keep an eye on what he does in the preseason and how often head coach Mike McCarthy uses him. There could be an opportunity for him to be the consistent No. 2 pass-catcher that has been missing in Dallas since Gallup originally injured his knee.