Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert has seen an increased snap count with Brandin Cooks sidelined, but is it time to make that permanent?
The Dallas Cowboys are in the middle of their bye week, which came at the right time for most.
With the team sitting at 3-3, there is an ominous feeling about the next month for America's Team. The lame-duck season has already shown signs of wearing the roster down mentally, and now comes the "across the hall" meetings to figure out what went wrong in the first six weeks.
Given that, a host of players are in the final year of their contracts, and the "Blow It Up" theory that our own Mike Fisher has been preaching since February is now as real as it ever been, could Dallas perhaps give playing time to certain players with an eye toward 2025?
One candidate is Jalen Tolbert.
The young receiver has stepped up in Brandin Cooks' absence and is currently second in yards behind only CeeDee Lamb (290).
With Cooks being a free agent in 2025, along with over half the roster, is it time to give Tolbert more snaps going forward than Cooks?
What's our rationale for this thought?
Given that the Cowboys' "Blow It Up" concept is centered around the franchise cleaning house next offseason, one could easily envision this being Cooks' last year in Dallas, so why not give valuable reps to Tolbert instead?
Now, we aren't saying let Cooks rot on the bench, but more allow Tolbert to get some of the snaps Brandin would have had. Much has been made of how Cooks has taken Tolbert under his wing over the last 18 months, and we are seeing the fruits of that labor.
Four times this season, Tolbert has surpassed 40 yards. While not barnstorming numbers, at least it's something, right?
Additionally, would Cowboys Nation prefer seeing Tolbert, who will likely be with the team next season, get valuable reps to continue his development instead of a veteran receiver who might not be with the team in 2025 if the season goes south?
On paper, it seems like an easy answer.
While some might say it is organic tanking given the Cowboys' want to keep their powder dry for 2025, Tolbert, who will likely have a bigger offensive role next year, could get a big headstart on next season.
If Dallas' season is to go the way many think, then at least the franchise should try to give its younger players some valuable experience.
Starting with Tolbert.
