Dallas Cowboys KaVontae Turpin earned more offensive opportunities

KaVontae Turpin didn’t need those two blazing touchdown returns to secure a spot on the Dallas Cowboys roster. If you’ve been following camp, you knew he was already a virtual lock to make the roster.

What the punt return TD and kick return TD did for Turpin, was underscore what could transpire by just putting the ball in his hands. For as good as the blocking was, Turpin made those big plays happen himself. His change of direction, quickness, and long speed are special, and were major contributors in his 12 points on Saturday.

KaVontae Turpin showed the Dallas Cowboys good things happen when he has the ball in his hands.

Jon Fassel had Turpin on the roster before this weekend’s game. Turpin was a clear standout as a returner in camp, and allowed CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard to focus solely on offense (something the Cowboys wanted to do). He was going to make the team regardless of what he did on Saturday.

Saturday just illustrated exactly how explosive he can be if given an opportunity with the ball and just a sliver of space in which to operate. The pair of special teams TDs overshadowed his lone carry on offense, but that didn’t mean the offensive opportunity was any less noteworthy (see below).

Early in the second quarter, Turin lined up wide, motioned inside, and ran, what I call an orbital sweep, to the opposite side of the field. Two defenders read the play perfectly. They had Turpin bracketed in securely, ensuring no gain on a well defended play.

But Turpin thought otherwise. Slowing his speed ever-so-slightly, he pulled the wide defender in, opening up space on the outside and exploding around the corner. He created something from nothing on a perfectly defended play – all because he has abnormal speed and explosiveness (and knows how to use it).

This opens up a wealth of possibilities for Kellen Moore. Regardless of what some fans in Cowboys Nation believe, Moore is one of the more creative minds in the NFL. Not locked into any one style or scheme, Moore adapts his offense year to year to match the talent on the roster.

Turpin adds something to the offense that previously did not exist.

Turpin has instantly gained a reputation as a gamebreaker and is making the case for being the most explosive new player in the NFL this year. As a result, teams are going to pay attention to him when he’s on the field.

Even when Turpin doesn’t get the ball, defenders are going to be keying on him. That’s defenders, plural. He’s going to distract and spread defenses, which will open more opportunities for others. And as we saw, even perfectly read plays are vulnerable to Turpin’s speed and and open-field ability.

KaVontae Turpin can open up this offense. He can make plays himself and spread defenses for others. He gives Kellen Moore a wrinkle and that needs to be utilized.