For a team that is supposedly ‘all in,' the Dallas Cowboys have been remarkably quiet this offseason. Outside of bringing back Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas has hardly made any other moves on their roster. Signing linebacker Eric Kendricks and filling out their 2024 draft class is really all they've done. Perhaps that means that the Cowboys have faith in some under-the-radar sleepers on their roster. A few of those sleepers on the Cowboys who could possibly break out during the 2024 NFL season include Rico Dowdle and Jalen Tolbert.
Rico Dowdle: the best running back in Dallas?
Dallas brought back Elliott after Tony Pollard departed for Tennessee during the offseason. However, that doesn't mean that the former Ohio State Buckeye will go back to being a workhorse in Dallas' offense. Elliott will likely split the backfield with Rico Dowdle.
Dowdle waited a while to get his opportunity. He hardly played as a rookie in 2020, missed all of 2021 with a hip injury, and was exclusively a special teamer in 2022. But in 2022 after the Cowboys let Elliott go, he assumed Pollard's former mantle as the backup. He played well in his first season in that role last year.
Dowdle's 4.1 yards per carry number is a bit misleading. He was pretty efficient in the few touches he got last season. Dowdle finished 23rd among running backs in 2023 in yards per touch (4.8), 18th juke rate (20.8%), and ninth in yards created per touch (3.92). Those numbers are all according to playerprofiler.com. He outperformed Elliott in all of those statistics.
The Cowboys plan to utilize a running back by committee approach this season according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Elliott will still factor prominently into Dallas' plans. While he has a lot of tread on his tires, he is still a reliable short-yardage back and trusted in the passing game, especially as a blocker. He's going to be on the field a good amount.
But Dowdle is the better runner at this stage of his and Elliott's career. It could lead to a potential breakout season for Dowdle in the 2024 season. He is among many sleepers on the Cowboys who should garner attention in 2024.
Third time is the charm for Jalen Tolbert?
Jalen Tolbert looked like a potential sleeper at wide receiver during the build-up of the 2022 NFL Draft. He really put himself on the map after consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards. Tolbert wound up getting drafted in the third round by the Cowboys but hardly played as a rookie. In eight games, he registered just two receptions for 12 yards.
But Tolbert began to show flashes of what made him a coveted draft pick in 2022. His path to playing time was still blocked with Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup in tow, but he did see more playing time as the season went on. Tolbert really showed he could fill a deep-threat role for Dallas in his brief stints on the field.
Tolbert is going to have the chance to not just earn more playing time, but become more of a focal point within Dallas' offense. Gallup was let go during the offseason and is now with the Las Vegas Raiders. CeeDee Lamb is currently away from the team as he seeks a new contract. In the meantime, Tolbert has impressed in camp and improved his game.
Dallas needs someone to step up in their receiver room outside of Lamb and Cooks. Tolbert is making the case to be that guy and could be poised for a breakout 2024 season. He's one of a few sleepers on the Cowboys' roster to monitor before the season kicks off.
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