Three players that the Dallas Cowboys should look out for in 2024

Considering the future is a task that is never too early. As they get ready for the NFL scouting combine this week,

the Dallas Cowboys are the ones who are most aware of that.

The best players in this year’s draft class will receive most of the attention,

but the Cowboys have a way of finding the underappreciated players at this point in the summer.

How many times have the Cowboys made waves by choosing a draft prospect who many thought was considerably less good

before turning everyone around? Tyler Smith, Travis Frederick, or anyone else?

The Cowboys are adept at identifying the players who can make significant contributions when no one else

anticipates them and who can jump in at the appropriate moment.

A couple players on the Cowboys team could surprise a lot of people, and make vital contributions for the upcoming seasons.

Here are the breakout candidates for 2024.

Jalen Tolbert, wide receiver

For Jalen Tolbert, his NFL career got off to a rocky start. At first, there was hope that

Tolbert could become an immediate role player within the Cowboys’ offense, but his rookie season was less than stellar.

Tolbert’s initial season in the NFL was better remembered for costly penalties than big-time plays.

Tolbert made some progress in his second season with a modest 268 yards on 22 receptions and two scores.

As you’ll see with the other players on this list, Tolbert can break out in 2024 because of the opportunity he should find himself in.

Last year, Michael Gallup had 34 receptions for 418 yards.

That’s not much better than Tolbert, but Gallup is slated to have a $13.8M cap charge this season versus $1.1M for Tolbert.

The difference in production between the two players at this point in their careers is almost i

nsignificant. There are few salary cap casualties as obvious as Gallup, and Tolbert should have much more on his plate as a result.

Already, Tolbert has reduced Gallup’s playing time; he now plays about 40% of the team’s offensive snaps compared to 51% for Gallup.

It’s possible that the Cowboys will select a wide receiver in the first three rounds of the draft, perhaps Xavier Legette or Johnny Wilson.

But if they are happy with Tolbert’s development to work with the group that includes Brandin Cooks and CeeDee Lamb,

Tolbert is ready for a huge year in year two of a revised passing attack.

Brock Hoffman, IOL

Brock Hoffman has had to work hard to make an impression on the Cowboys’ coaching staff.

Hoffman was signed to the Cowboys practice squad in 2022 and played his way onto the active roster last September.

Hoffman is a big, stout player at 6’4”, 322 lbs. and plays with a mean streak to finish blocks.

His performance in the season finale at Washington was an eye-opener to what he could do for the Cowboys’ struggling

running game in the future. Hoffman has the versatility to play center. Current starting center Tyler Biadasz is a free agent

and could be headed out the door to greener pastures once the market opens.

The way things play out is the Cowboys land a bridge player at center with the intent of Hoffman competing with them for the

starting job or spending a pick on a center with a late-round draft pick, much as the team did with Biadasz.

Hoffman is playing for the Cowboys at a salary of $985,000 this season, and if they are pleased with him,

they will have the sole right to sign him as a free agent in 2025. Hoffman would be a huge financial asset and give the

Cowboys a tonne of financial flexibility in the near future if he could play at a starting level.

A breakaway by Hoffman might cause a stir inside the offensive line.

Juanyeh Thomas, safety

Like Hoffman, Juanyeh Thomas is another player who has played himself into a spot on the active

roster after coming into the league as an undrafted player.

For those who followed the team closely during training camp last season,

Thomas was a player who flashed through the summer, making timely plays and being in the right place at the right time.

When playing in zone coverage, Thomas showed a good understanding of route combinations and read the quarterback’s

eyes throughout training camp.

During the season, he contributed mainly as a special teamer, blocking a kick in the season opener against the New York

Giants that was returned for a touchdown.

Thomas is a guy full of promise as far as the defence is concerned.

At 6’3″ and 217 pounds, he is a great size and has the physical attributes to make an impact close to the line of scrimmage.

If safety Jayron Kearse is not re-signed by the Cowboys, Thomas will have the chance to establish a more regular position in the defence under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

If Thomas had a good offseason once more, he might succeed.

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