Cowboys expect two WRs to 'make a jump' in 2024

The Cowboys wide receivers will be under a microscope during OTAs as star WR CeeDee Lamb is not expected to be in attendance.

That will open the door for Dallas' other playmakers to make their case for bigger roles in 2024. Wide receivers coach Robert Prince has his eyes set on two players.

"We expect all of those guys to make a jump," Prince said, via the team's official website. "It starts with [Jalen Tolbert]. He made a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2, and we expect the same thing to happen for him going into Year 3. And Jalen Brooks, he works hard and he's one of those guys that's always studying, and he can play all of the [WR] positions -- so we're looking forward to seeing what he can do this year as well."

Tolbert registered just 22 catches for 268 yards and two touchdowns last season but that was still an improvement from his two receptions for 12 yards in his rookie year.

The former third-round pick seems he'll be given every opportunity to start following the departure of wide receiver Michael Gallup (Raiders) this offseason.

Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks proved he still had some good football left in him last year with 54 catches for 657 yards and eight touchdowns, but he'll turn 31 at the start of the season.

If Cooks takes a step back, the next man up could be Brooks, a seventh-round pick in 2023.

Brooks had just six receptions for 64 yards as a rookie, but that came in only seven games played. Still, he will need better production if he wants to play a bigger role in the offense.

The Cowboys also have wide receivers KaVontae Turpin and Ryan Flournoy (2024 sixth-round pick) and tight ends Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker who could carve out larger roles. 

However, Prince made it a point to highlight Tolbert and Brooks as players he expects much bigger things from this season.