5 Starters Cowboys Should Already Be Scouting to Draft Replacements For

2. Jalen Tolbert & 3. Brandin Cooks, WR

Jalen Tolbert and Brandin Cooks share this spot because the Cowboys desperately need a No. 2 wide receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and the aforementioned duo isn't the answer to that issue.

While Cooks hasn't seen much action this season due to injury, it isn't as if he's taken advantage of his limited opportunities. In his first five appearances, the former Oregon State wideout has caught 12-of-26 targets (46.2%) for only 107 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He's yet to record more than 19 yards since Week 1 and hasn't done anything to indicate that trend will end soon.

With Cooks missing a lot of time this year, the Cowboys have counted on Tolbert to step up. He did a solid job of that at first, recording 30 catches for 353 yards and three touchdowns in his first eight games. Unfortunately, it's been downhill since as the ex-2022 third-rounder has posted a 9-98-1 stat line in his last four outings — a far cry from his earlier production.

If the Cowboys want to make Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott's life easier, they have to draft a receiver with some legitimate WR2 upside. Tolbert can stick around as the WR3 but it's time to let Cooks walk as a free agent in the offseason because it's clear his best days are behind him.