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Factoid

Dallas' sneaky third option

Tolbert was effective goal-line receiver last year

I like the receiving tandem of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but I wonder how Jalen Tolbert will fit in. He might be a sneaky contributor.

Three-receiver sets are common, and Tolbert should be the primary guy in that role. That translates into probably a couple of catches per week. No big deal. But Tolbert was very good around the end zone last year.

When the Cowboys were inside the 10-yard line, they completed 5 of 7 when throwing to Tolbert, with 5 TDs. (One of those touchdowns was a game-winner at Pittsburgh, as I recall, in a Sunday night game.) Those touchdowns help Tolbert finish with a team-high 7 TD catches.

The previous year, Dak Prescott had a nice little thing going with Brandin Cooks in that part of the field. Cooks caught 7 of 10 passes in that area, with 6 TDs and a 2-point conversion. So Prescott can make the throws in that area.

With the 5 of 7 last year, Tolbert was one of only two wide receivers who scored on over 70 percent of his targets in that part of the field. (Among guys with at least 7 targets).

Pickens, on the other hand, was the only wide receiver who didn’t catch any of his targets in that part of the field. (And CeeDee Lamb, he caught only 1 of the 3 passes thrown his way in that area.)

I’m not suggesting Tolbert will outscore Pickens, but it’s a possibility that he’ll continue to be a guy they look to a healthy amount in that part of the field. If so, Tolbert might score a similar number of touchdowns to Pickens.

WIDE RECEIVERS INSIDE THE 10-YARD LINE
PlayerAttComTD2PtEZ%
Terry McLaurin, Was.987078%
Jalen Tolbert, Dall.755071%
Ladd McConkey, LAC985167%
Amon-Ra St.Brown, Det.15129060%
Andrei Iosivas, Cin.1076060%
Mike Evans, T.B.1066060%
Xavier Legette, Car.754057%
DeAndre Hopkins, K.C.744057%
Nico Collins, Hou.955056%
Demarcus Robinson, LAR955056%
Brian Thomas, Jac.1174255%
Keenan Allen, Chi.844050%
Xavier Worthy, K.C.844050%
Courtland Sutton, Den.964044%
Tyreek Hill, Mia.954044%
Jordan Addison, Min.984044%
Jakobi Meyers, L.V.732143%
DJ Moore, Chi.862138%
Jerry Jeudy, Cle.831238%
Cooper Kupp, LAR843038%
Jauan Jennings, S.F.833038%
Drake London, Atl.1144036%
Davante Adams, NYJ1474136%
Tee Higgins, Cin.1565033%
Malik Nabers, NYG1253133%
Garrett Wilson, NYJ1263133%
Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG953033%
Ja'Marr Chase, Cin.1775029%
Zay Flowers, Balt.722029%
Van Jefferson, Pitt.742029%
Diontae Johnson, Car.822025%
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sea.832025%
Justin Jefferson, Min.1353023%
George Pickens, Pitt.70000%

—Ian Allan

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