Jalen Tolbert and the other Dallas Cowboys wide receivers need to be ready to go in their upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints. If the Cowboys hope to win, then what will need to happen is that their route runners must do their job. They’ve got to catch the ball.
Tolbert and Cowboys Wide Receivers Crucial Piece in Play Against Saints
Biggest Flaws for Carolina Against the Saints
When watching it back, the Saints’ defense dominated the Panthers because they forced errant passes from the quarterback. Bryce Young overthrew his receiver often, even when he wasn’t under heavy pressure.
But when Young was able to properly place the ball, his receivers were wide open, making easy catches when targeted accurately.
And it’s a good thing the Cowboys don’t have Bryce Young.
Cowboys Wide Receivers Lacking Sync with Dak Prescott
Against the Browns, the Cowboys’ offense was very average. Prescott’s accuracy was a little rough. It wasn’t all on him, but he went 19/32 in the season opener, only completing 59.4% of passes. Around six of his throws simply weren’t catchable by his receiver. For example, Jalen Tolbert was thrown a pass that was feet above him.
Some of that was due to the intense pressure from Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. However, the Saints don’t have an EDGE rusher like Garrett. The Cowboys will want to watch Alontae Taylor, but the offensive line should hold up well against him, leaving Prescott with one job: connecting with his receivers early and often.
If he can, the Cowboys can run away with this game similar to how they did with the Browns.
Route Runners Have the Advantage Over Corners
Where New Orleans struggled in their game against the Panthers was man defense. The Saints prefer to play in a zone, or at least, they did against Carolina. Any time that Young could exploit that zone and throw accurately was when there was a caught ball.
Also though, whenever there was a one-on-one matchup, the ball tended to be caught by the Panthers’ wideouts.
Offensively, the Cowboys are some of the best route runners against man defense. They should have the advantage against these corners from the Saints. Even more than that, the Cowboys’ wide receivers should be able to exploit the zone and set up incredible plays.
The perfect person to do that could be Jalen Tolbert.
Tolbert to Top His Previous Performance
Against the Browns, Tolbert was targeted twice and only caught one ball for 12 yards. The other target was overthrown by Prescott. Over training camp, he mentioned that his relationship with the QB had improved considerably with the absence of CeeDee Lamb.
In comparison, Prescott targeted Lamb ten times, much more than the third-year Tolbert. The biggest way to get more targets for Tolbert will be to get open and hold on to the ball when tossed into those crucial opportunities.
Also, with the possible absence of Jake Ferguson, there will be more targets to toss out, and Tolbert could be receiving them.
Tolbert and Other Cowboys Wide Receivers Must Step Up
It isn’t all on Tolbert to have a sensational game.
Some of the pressure will fall on other receivers like Brandin Cooks, who had a touchdown in the Cleveland game, to step up too. Jalen Brooks is another receiver who could see many more reps if he plays his cards right.
If the Cowboys want to beat the Saints, they have to find a way to get the ball directly into the hands of the receivers. And more importantly, the receivers have to make sure they get open.
By combining those two pieces, the Cowboys should be able to pass themselves another victory.
Main Image: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
