Here’s how the Cowboys 10 WRs impact the 2024 salary cap
The Cowboys have 10 wide receivers under contract for 2024 and the new league year hasn’t even begun. To an outsider looking in, it may feel like Dallas does not have much room to add to this position group. A deep dive into contract specifics muddies the waters and calls into question the total amount of money that goes to the group.
Wideout CeeDee Lamb is the unquestioned leader of this group and figures to command a large payday. Behind him, sits a collection of varying degrees of pedigree, skill and experience. Opportunity lurks just around the corner but trust must be earned by both the coaching staff and the quarterback as well, as evidenced by the volume directed at Lamb.
After checking out both the quarterback room and the running backs, here’s a look at the financial breakdown of all of the wideouts on the Cowboys 2024 roster in February.
CeeDee Lamb | Age: 24 | Cap Hit: $17,991,000 - 7.2% | UFA: 2026
As it stands today, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb accounts for the fourth most salary cap space on the 2024 roster. That number is likely to drop for 2024, but increase in the coming years if the Cowboys make him one of the highest-paid wideouts in the league. Lamb’s $4.4 million cap charge last season was the highest of his rookie deal and accounted for 1.9% of the cap. With a fifth-year option activated, Lamb will now account for 7.2%.
According to Sportrac, a Lamb contract extension is projected to be around a four years, $115 million; an average of $28.8 million per season. That amount comes in below the $30 million average Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill earns on his deal. Lamb would make more than the Rams’s Cooper Kupp, with his three-year $80 million extension, and close to Raiders wideout DaVante Adams, who signed a five-year $140 million deal.
Dallas getting a deal done early could be beneficial as Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson is also seeking an extension and could push the number above the current market.
Michael Gallup | Age: 27 | Cap Hit: $13,850,000 - 5.6% | UFA: 2027
The inability of Michael Gallup to regain his pre-injury form has placed his job status in question. Dallas moved on from receiver Amari Cooper and opted for a cheaper option in Gallup, possibly in anticipation of the Lamb contract. There now lies a scenario where Gallup is not on the roster either. A post-June 1st decision after another disappointing season following a significant knee injury in 2021, could be a popular topic when discussing creating cap space in Dallas.
No matter the direction, Dallas must do something with his upcoming $13.8 million cap hit. While Gallup does things that often go unnoticed, committing such a large salary for limited primary production may need tending. Gallup has averaged 36 catches for 429 yards in the last three years and has only eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark once in his six seasons in Dallas. Although rare, approaching the player about a possible pay cut could be a mutually beneficial decision if the plan is to keep him in a Cowboys uniform.
Brandin Cooks | Age: 30 | Cap Hit: $10,000,000 - 4% | UFA: 2025
Dallas traded two, Day-3 draft picks to Houston for wideout Brandin Cooks who caught 55 passes for 660 yards and eight touchdowns. With head coach Mike McCarthy returning, familiarity with the same system could build better chemistry for a faster start next year. Through the first nine weeks of the season, Cooks caught 17 passes for 165 yards and 2 touchdowns. After stumbling out of the blocks, Cooks and quarterback Dak Prescott began to get into a rhythm as the veteran receiver caught 38 passes for 495 yards and six touchdowns in the final nine games to finish the regular season.
With an $8 million base salary and $2 million in prorated bonus money, Cooks’ $10 million hit makes up 4% of the Cowboys cap in 2024. A free agent after this season, Dallas must still account for the $4 million of remaining bonus money in 2025 because of two void years added for prior salary cap relief.
Jalen Tolbert | Age: 24 | Cap Hit: $1,400,751 - 0.6% | UFA: 2026
The perk of being a Day-2 draft pick means the production needed to justify your salary isn’t as difficult to match compared to the status of others. Patience on developmental time may also be on one’s side if things do not start quickly. Showcasing the sporadic “flash” could also buy time with the fan base and public perception. Cowboys wideout Jalen Tolbert is on the cusp of that discussion meaning a third-year jump is probably more expected than wished upon.
In his rookie season, Tolbert was on the field for only 44 passing plays. Last season, he had 108 passing snaps in the slot alone and lined up outside 185 times under that metric also. That significant bump in playing time and location indicates the team is at a certain comfort level with the player and continued growth should not only involve playing time but a statistical uptick in production as well. He finished the season with 22 catches for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Year 3 will be critical for Tolbert.
KaVontae Turpin | Age: 27 | Cap Hit: $985,000 - 0.4% | RFA: 2025
Dallas struck gold when they signed the MVP of the CFL to their team in 2022. Return specialist KaVontae Turpin raked in the honors his rookie season as he was selected to the Pro Bowl as well as the inaugural NFLPA All Pro team. Turpin has a rare burst that can make others on the field around him appear slower than they are. As effective as he was on special teams, Turpin only caught one pass for nine yards in 26 passing plays that season.
Last year, Turpin participated in 89 passing plays but caught 12 passes for 127 yards hauling in three touchdowns. He also rushed 11 times for 110 yards and a touchdown. As a return specialist, Turpin received 34 fewer opportunities and only logged 23 combined returns. Versatility is king and although his stats do not indicate it, the threat of his speed alone forces teams to adjust accordingly making his cap hit one of the best values on the roster.
Jalen Brooks | Age: 23 | Cap Hit: $935,589 – 0.4% | UFA: 2027
Rookie seventh-round draft pick Jalen Brooks made an impression during training camp. He almost played in as many passing snaps as fellow wideout Jalen Tolbert did during his rookie season. Although part of the 53-man roster, Brooks only dressed for six games. He caught six passes for 66 yards in 35 opportunities as well as the earned experience. In addition to playing on both sides of the field goal team, Brooks found a way to earn playing time on all other coverage and return units.
Brooks caught all four of his targets for 39 yards in a Week 10 contest against the Giants while lining up in both the slot and outside. His 26 yards after the catch that game is the flash one hopes to see in young players no matter the competition. Opportunities on offense may arrive if he can continue to earn the trust of the coaching staff and can excel on special teams.
Racey McMath | Age: 24 | Cap Hit: $985,000 – 0.4% | UFA: 2026
Dallas signed Racey McMath to a futures-reserve contract after a short stint on the Indianapolis practice squad. The former LSU Tiger was a 2021 sixth-round pick by Tennessee and caught four passes for 48 yards in two seasons for the Titans.
In his quest for a roster spot, McMath will have to continue to play special teams. He logged 171 snaps in his first two seasons in Tennessee which is extremely valuable for reserve players.
Martavis Bryant | Age: 32 | Cap Hit: $985,000 – 0.4% | UFA: 2025
David Durden | Age: 25 | Cap Hit: $918,333 – 0.4% | RFA: 2026
Cowboys wideout David Durden, also known to some around Frisco as “Prospect X” because of a media project, has an uphill climb that includes more than just football. Dallas lost two rookies, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and tight end John Stevens Jr., to torn left ACLs in the final preseason game against Seattle. A few days later, Durden became the third Cowboys rookie to tear his left ACL in a span of five days which ironically came while being guarded by Cowboys All Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs, who suffered his own left ACL tear a short time later.
Before that, many expected Durden to receive a practice squad invite in hopes of developing into something more. An undrafted rookie free agent coming off a serious knee injury may prove to be too daunting for many but the project Durden underwent could give pause before doubting this young man.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper | Age: 22 | Cap Hit: $795,000 – 0.3% | RFA: 2026
An undrafted free agent fro Fresno State, Jalen Moreno-Cropper started training camp as if he were shot out of a cannon. While his play eventually leveled off, what he did was hard to forget.
A name to watch: Jalen Moreno-Cropper (as noted pre-camp). #Cowboys
Here’s evidence as to why: pic.twitter.com/kwuxWVsYUQ
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) July 26, 2023
Moreno-Cropper is one of those players many believed should have made the initial 53-man roster. With questions throughout the receiving room, it is not inconceivable he could turn a season learning from the sidelines, combined with a full NFL offseason program, into elevating this intriguing prospect into a potential contributor.
Wide Receiver Recap
Draft Capital Spent:
1st round pick (2020), 3rd round pick (2018), 3rd round pick (2022), 5th round pick (2023), 6th round pick (2024), 7th round pick (2023)
In total, the Cowboys receiving room eats up 19.3% of cap space on offense, $47.8 million. This excludes the Turpin contract as he will be added to the special teams breakdown since that is his primary duty. Gallup and Cooks are projected to earn 2.4% more than Lamb alone yet the two combined for 678 fewer yards, 47 fewer catches, and two fewer touchdowns. After the big three, only 2.5%, a tad over $6 million, goes to the rest of the wideout room. When looking at areas where Dallas could think about making a move for more cap space, the wide receiver room may have a couple of options.
