The Dallas Cowboys have boasted a top-five receiver in CeeDee Lamb, but they haven’t been able to pair him with formidable, complimentary weapons. Over the last two seasons, the former first-round pick with the $136 million contract has recorded 236 receptions for 2,943 yards and 18 touchdowns, all while entire defenses focused on him, and with Cooper Rush starting nearly 25% of those games. Lamb is by far the biggest share of the $35 million Dallas is spending on the position in 2025.
Lamb is on Tier 1 of receiver rankings, right alongside Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase, but while those players enjoy the benefits of Jordan Addison, Tee Higgins and other co-workers, Dallas drafted the position late, if at all, and only added UFL standouts, and late-career trade targets, looking for the rest of the receiving core to work itself out without success. The top guy has delivered through it all.
The addition of George Pickens — a valid, outside X receiver who is the best in the NFL at the go route helps alleviate pressure on Lamb while opening up the offense. He will ensure opposing safeties play back to protect against home runs, opening up the underneath routes for everyone else. Pickens also impacts the run game, not only by keeping safeties back, but also by his tremendous blocking ability. This duo could battle for the best in the NFL by season’s end.
Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, and KaVontae Turpin will battle for snaps at the third receiver spot. Turpin is the easiest lock to make the 53-man roster. He is an All-Pro return man, and his impact as a receiver has improved every year. He went from two targets to 18, and then 52 in his third season. With a more modern offense that aims to open things up for its pass catchers, Turpin could emerge as an exceptional playmaker alongside Lamb and Pickens.
Mingo was acquired in a trade with the Carolina Panthers last season, and could be the option who offers the most significant upside to the offense; a weird thing to say about a player who has never had a success rate over 33% and hasn’t caught a touchdown pass. He is 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, and has put himself in a position to make impactful plays multiple times, just to be let down by his quarterback with an uncatchable pass. He was a second-round pick for a reason; the tools are all there, and he is also a great run blocker. A third receiver who is a top-notch blocker and has a chance at making big plays in the passing game could make Dallas unstoppable.
Tolbert led the team in touchdowns in 2024 (7) and should have a better role as the third receiving option. He doesn’t bring the dynamism of Turpin or the blocking of Mingo, but Dak Prescott trusts him, and before the QB went out for the season, he was on pace for 64 catches for 750 yards. Those are the five receivers who are locks to make the 53-man roster, but Dallas could bring on a sixth option, and that is where the roster battle comes into play.
Jalen Brooks played nearly 40% of the offensive snaps and over 50% of the special teams snaps in 2024, and that familiarity could help him secure a roster spot in 2025. He is a redundancy as a tall outside receiver with Pickens and Mingo already on the roster.
Ryan Flournoy has the same issue. He played less than Brooks did in 2024, and he isn’t as good a receiving threat as Pickens or Mingo, so how will he get snaps? Traeshon Holden and Jalen Cropper are undrafted free agents who would have to have unbelievable training camps to have a chance at making the 53-man roster. Parris Campbell is a wildcard because he brings elements that Turpin does, but in a 6-foot, 200-pound frame with experience as a true receiver. He has always had the talent, but hasn’t found a way to stay healthy. In six seasons, he has only two with double-digit games played.
Only one survives from this group, at best, to make the roster, so this is a war more than just a battle, and nobody seems to have a significant edge going in. The practice squad seems to be the most likely path for any of them to eventually see the field for Dallas.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @mike-crum-cdpiglet.bsky.social