The Cowboys’ passing offense is built on the brilliance of CeeDee Lamb. The fifth-year veteran from Oklahoma has quickly become one of the NFL’s best receivers and represents the heart and soul of Dallas’ downfield attack. Things get interesting after Lamb.

The No. 2 option in Dallas should be veteran receiver Brandin Cooks. But a slow start to the season coupled with an untimely injury has resulted in the veteran landing on IR and no longer in the conversation. Jalen Tolbert, the “next man up” in this scenario, enjoyed a coming out party as the Cowboys’ new WR2. His seven receptions for 87 yards were career highs, and his game-winning touchdown against the Steelers in the final seconds cemented his place in rivalry history forever.

Because as promising as Tolbert is, it’s Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson who is actually the second-best pass-catching option to Dak Prescott. The 2023 Pro Bowler has quietly had a pretty impressive season so far in 2024. That’s a testament to his continued development and is nothing short of remarkable considering Ferguson has only played three full games this season.

In those three games, he averaged over 8 scores, 5.6 receptions and 71 yards per game.

In Week 5, Ferguson led all Dallas pass catchers who had three or more targets in success rate (71 percent) and overall EPA (5.4 EPA). He was often the secondary option Prescott turned to when Lamb was suspended, and a means to exploit second-level defenders who were more run-oriented by nature.

Ferguson’s ability to play in the line (26.6% of the time), in the slot (61.9% of the time) and wide (8.6% of the time) makes him a valuable piece to the Cowboys’ offense. This allows Mike McCarthy to deploy creative personnel packages without giving away the offense’s intentions before the snap. His run-blocking ability has steadily improved and his ability to run after the catch has inspired fans and teammates alike.

Ferguson is already No. 2 in Dallas in target share, despite only playing three full games this season.

Tolbert is an up-and-coming player that the Cowboys will need in this core of the schedule. With Cooks out, Dallas will use a variety of players to fill the secondary WR spot opposite Lamb. KaVontae Turpin played a big role in Pittsburgh and Jalen Brooks made his own contribution.

Tolbert is the frontrunner, but it could be a committee approach for the second WR spot in the future. At TE, Ferguson has secured the spot, and as the second best option on offense, it is Ferguson who gives Prescott someone to lean on.

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