5 Cowboys Who Have Played Their Way Out of the Team’s 2024 Plans

4. Jourdan Lewis, CB

Jourdan Lewis has been the Dallas Cowboys's top nickel corner basically since he came into the league back in 2017, but he's been a weak piece of the Dallas defense in 2023.

The Cowboys traded Kelvin Joseph before the season, so there isn't another option on the roster at the moment to play the lion's share of snaps from the slot, but Lewis has been playing at a level that probably needs to be replaced sooner rather than later.

He's allowed three touchdowns in eight games this season, putting him on pace to give up at least six the way things have gone this season. He's allowing a QB rating of 111.2 into his coverage, which is not good in the slightest. Lewis is not locking down the slot anymore and Dallas needs to make a change at this position in 2024.

5. Jalen Tolbert, WR

In terms of team-building, you're certainly willing to live with the risk-reward nature of a third-round draft pick. Jalen Tolbert had traits coming out of college that made him a worthwhile dart throw in the 2022 NFL Draft, but things have not progressed much at all in his first two NFL seasons.

The Cowboys have desperately needed help at the receiver spot opposite CeeDee Lamb, and while they definitely had guys on the depth chart in front of Jalen Tolbert who were meant to claim a bunch of targets (Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup), the early struggles of the older veteran players put Jalen Tolbert in position to seize an opportunity.

And so far this season, he has just 10 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys needed Tolbert to step into a bigger role this season, but going into the 2024 offseason, I don't think he's proven he can be a big part of their plans.

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