The Dallas Cowboys made a strong choice this past offseason, moving away from a player they had paid handsomely in recent years. Michael Gallup suffered a serious leg injury at the end of the 2021 season and the club waited and waited for him to return to form, but it just never happened. Never a strong separator, Gallup’s value as a sidekick to emerging top weapon CeeDee Lamb led the club to trade for Brandin Cooks, who checked in with eight TD receptions in 2023.
After releasing Gallup, Dallas didn’t do much to augment the group however. Instead, they are giving a bunch of young guns the opportunity to step into the limelight. The leading candidate is 2022 third-round pick Jalen Tolbert, who after essentially posting a nothing burger as a rookie, began to show some signs of life last season. Still, the group beyond the top two isn’t widely regarded as being a reliable source of pass catchers.
ESPN’s Mike Clayhas released his 2024 projections, including ranking every wide receiver room in the NFL. Where do Dallas’ wide receivers rank among the rest of the league?
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32. New England Patriots
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 18: Kendrick Bourne #84 of the New England Patriots against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, JuJu Smith-Schuster, K.J. Osborn
31. Los Angeles Chargers
Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) makes a catch and runs for touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Ladd McConkey, Josh Palmer, Quentin Johnston, DJ Chark, Derius Davis
30. Buffalo Bills
Oct 28, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) warms up during the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mack Hollins
29. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dec 31, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins
28. New Orleans Saints
Dec 3, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Bub Means, Cedrick Wilson, A.T. Perry
27. Denver Broncos
Nov 19, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) catches a touchdown over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (5) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Tim Patrick, Josh Reynolds, Troy Franklin
26. Arizona Cardinals
4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr., Zay Jones, Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zach Pascal
25. Baltimore Ravens
Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) cuts after a cat ch as Miami Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott (21) attempt to tackle during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker, Deonte Harty
24. Atlanta Falcons
Nov 10, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) catches a touchdown as Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) defends in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Rondale Moore, KhaDarel Hodge, Ray-Ray McCloud
23. New York Giants
Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) catches a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Allen Robinson
22. Washington Commanders
Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey, Jamison Crowder, Dyami Brown
21. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) pulls down a touchdown reception against Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) in the fourth quarter during their football game Sunday, November 13, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton
20. Detroit Lions
Nov 6, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) heads upfield past Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage (26) after catching a pass in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Antoine Green
19. Cleveland Browns
Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) runs after a catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, David Bell
18. Las Vegas Raiders
Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches a ball in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Michael Gallup, Tre Tucker, Jalen Guyton
17. Indianapolis Colts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) works to push Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) out of bounds Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michael Pittman Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Anthony Gould
16. Carolina Panthers
Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) celebrates with wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) after catching a touchdown pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, David Moore
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) scores a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr., Gabriel Davis, Devin Duvernay, Parker Washington
14. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) catches a deep pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) defends in the third quarter during a Week 17 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs won, 25-17.
Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dec 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) in action against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, Jalen McMillan, Deven Thompkins
12. New York Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 27: Garrett Wilson #17 of the New York Jets runs for a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on November 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Malachi Corley, Xavier Gipson, Jason Brownlee
11. Dallas Cowboys
Nov 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) celebrates during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, Kavontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy
10. Los Angeles Rams
Oct 22, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) catches a pass against Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson
9. Minnesota Vikings
Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) reacts after a catch against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield, Jalen Nailor
8. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023.
DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Sep 25, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Parris Campbell, Ainias Smith, Johnny Wilson
6. Chicago Bears
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 15: DJ Moore #2 of the Chicago Bears takes the field prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on October 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Tyler Scott, Velus Jones Jr.
5. Miami Dolphins
Nov 5, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr., Malik Washington, Braxton Berrios
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) catches a pass in the fourth quarter during a Week 17 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs won, 25-17.
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Jermaine Burton, Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin
3. Seattle Seahawks
Jan 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo, Laviska Shenault Jr.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) waves goodbye to the Philadelphia Eagles fans after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Danny Gray
1. Houston Texans
Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) reacts after making a reception during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Noah Brown, John Metchie III
