Stock Up, Stock Down: What’s there in Cowboys Land to invest in besides Aubrey?
Winning at AT&T Stadium used to be a near certainty for the Dallas Cowboys. Recently it’s looked nearly impossible with three straight opposing assaults at home. Week 3 saw a more competitive finish, but that’s all it was with the hometown club falling, 28-25, to the previously winless Baltimore Ravens.
There were a plethora of issues that plagued the Cowboys in their descent to 1-2 on the young season. While finding a complementary option in the receiver room, Dallas’ star wideout had his own forgettable day. The defensive issues mirrored Week 2 and yet again. Here’s the stock report heading into a short week with Thursday Night Football against the New York Giants.
Stock Down: WR CeeDee Lamb
Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) and Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) defend a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
CeeDee Lamb is often the man carrying the load in the wide receiver room, and his chemistry with Prescott has turned the pair into an elite duo. His performance and antics that followed in Week 3 were the complete opposite.
On the face, Lamb finished with four catches for 67 yards. The problems came with a fumble in the Cowboys’ lone trip to the red zone in the first half and late drops during the comeback effort. The game could’ve gone far differently without those miscues.
As things unraveled for Lamb, his body language mirrored and the star was on the sideline too often during Prescott’s heroic efforts. Emotion can be a good thing in football, but as the star of the Cowboys offense, this just isn’t a good look.
Stock Up: K Brandon Aubrey
Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) kicks an onside kick during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
There’s one consistent thing about the Cowboys through three games and that’s Brandon Aubrey. The star kicker easily made a 65-yard field goal before making a 51-yarder look like a chip shot.
While the offense may struggle at times, reaching midfield is nearly a guarantee for three points. That’s a weapon you can’t put a value on, which makes this McCarthy decision even more infuriating. If that wasn’t enough, his sidewinder onside kick led to some late drama. If Dallas manages to find its rhythm as a team, Aubrey’s value will become even more obvious.
Stock Up: WR Jalen Tolbert
Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) catches a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
While Lamb was the talk of the day in the wide receiver room, Jalen Tolbert quietly displayed a ton of confidence and chemistry with Prescott. He scored a 15-yard touchdown on one of the better route combos of the day, slamming the brakes before finding himself wide open in the middle of the endzone to make the game competitive.
The passing game is heavily dependent on the trio of Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Jake Ferguson. Tolbert proving himself as a legit option can add a different gear to this offense.
Stock Down: Offensive Tackles
Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Terence Steele (78) lines up during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
Letting Tyron Smith walk in free agency continues to look puzzling. RT Terence Steele has struggled mightily and Tyler Guyton is dealing with growing pains on the left side. Prescott was hit seven times and the run game was nonexistent with 16 carries for 31 yards. Nnamdi Madubuike bullied Steele on many occasions.
That’s an issue for the whole unit but the tackles were a major liability in the loss to the Ravens. When the quarterback is uneasy and missing on throws while there’s nothing working on the ground, it’s no wonder the offense couldn’t find its footing.
Steele is contracted through 2028 and that investment looks more dicey by the day.
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