The Dallas Cowboys played the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, a battle that some predicted would be our future Super Bowl at the end of the year. If that game were to become our Super Bowl, we would all be disappointed, as the Ravens handled the Cowboys thoroughly throughout the game.
One of the few bright spots in the Dallas Cowboys Week 3 was wide receiver Jalen Tolbert. Tolbert saw 75% of snaps while receiving five targets from Dak Prescott. After his Week 2 total of nine targets, we must ask if Tolbert is becoming the WR2 for America’s team.
Can this young Cowboys wide receiver help us win in fantasy football next week? Let’s examine critical insights to help us determine Tolbert’s fantasy outlook for Week 4 and the rest of the NFL season.
Should Jalen Tolbert Be Added on the Fantasy Waiver Wire in Week 4?
Tolbert is moving from touchdown-dependent to a true WR2 for the Dallas Cowboys. TruMedia ranks his 110 routes as the 12th best in the NFL. Tolbert has produced 13.6 yards per reception, a top-30 ranking in the NFL. He also has the ninth-highest air yards per target with 14.44. Tolbert has also earned the trust of Prescott with seven first-down receptions in the first three weeks, which is one short of CeeDee Lamb.
The Dallas Cowboys face the New York Giants in Week 4 on Thursday Night Football. This game could be yet another strong performance from Tolbert, as the Giants’ defense has allowed the tenth most receptions this young season. The Giants defense has also relinquished the fourth most touchdowns to the wide receiver position, which is tied for third worst in the NFL.
Per @NextGenStats none of the Cowboys receivers met the league average of 2.96 yards of separation.
Brandin Cooks 0.86 🤢
Jalen Brooks 1.16 🤢
Jalen Tolbert 2.06
CeeDee Lamb 2.1 pic.twitter.com/KxwhdfUaa6— Matt Owen (@ProfessorO_NFL)
The Cowboys’ offense can fix its woes in Week 4. However, fair warning: In Week 5, the Cowboys will face the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers defense. This surge of usage could hit a wall after this upcoming week. Tread lightly when targeting Tolbert in your waiver wire due to his impending doom.
We must also be careful with Tolbert, as his target share may always lean conservative. In this offense, Prescott targets Lamb first and then his starting tight ends. After that, Tolbert and Brandin Cooks will compete for his affection. However, the aging Cooks seems to have been cooked since his Week 1 performance.
Tolbert has taken advantage and can continue to help the Cowboys’ offense progress by utilizing his above-average acceleration on routes. His 6’1″ frame makes his acceleration rare and provides a mismatch for opponents. The biggest issue that held back Tolbert was his lack of competition in college. We could be witnessing his emergence this season as the game has finally slowed down for the young wide receiver. We should expect Tolbert to continue to creep up the Consensus Rankings as the weeks go by.