When opponents prepare for the Cowboys, which players does one imagine they focus on? CeeDee Lamb has 90 receptions for 1,182 yards and seven touchdowns. It’s a pretty safe bet teams are preparing for him. Over the last six weeks alone, Jake Ferguson has 25 receptions for 308 yards and four touchdowns. Teams have definitely seen the film on Ferguson. Over the last four weeks, Brandin Cooks has 20 receptions for 332 yards and three touchdowns. Cooks has the deep speed and route-running ability that puts every secondary on notice.
Add in Tony Pollard’s game-breaking ability and Rico Dowdle’s rise as the newest explosive runner in Dallas, and you have a lot of weapons for opponents to worry about on this Cowboys offense. But there’s one player who in some ways stands out above the others. A player who only has 16 targets to his name in 2023 but has made the absolute most of those opportunities. A player who by all accounts is due a bigger role down the stretch, KaVontae Turpin.
Teams are well aware of Turpin’s impact on football field. The former TCU product earned Pro Bowl honors as a rookie based on his return ability, and here in 2023 he’s widely regarded one of the most feared returners in the game. But on offense he’s played only a bit part.
As WR5, Turpin hasn’t had many offensive opportunities in 2023. With just 19 total touches, he’s been more complementary and gadget than legit offensive staple. Perhaps that’s a mistake. Turpin leads the Cowboys with 0.84 EPA/target this season. He’s making the most of his opportunities and it’s not hard to see how.
Blessed with elite speed and stop-start cutting ability that would make a water bug jealous, Turpin has the level of game-breaking skill to be a threat every time he’s on the field. His impact goes beyond just being a pass-catcher as well. Turpin has frequently been used in motion and as a runner. With eight carries for 79 yards, he’s averaging 9.9 yards/carry and a success rate of 62.5 percent. These two numbers indicate he’s not just getting the chunk yardage, but he’s also winning more opportunities than both Pollard (48.3% success rate) and Dowdle (46.0% SR).
There’s obvious concern Turpin’s 5-foot-9, 153-pound frame isn’t up to the task of a regular role on offense. So even though his efficiency stats show he should be getting WR3 opportunities, the added opportunities could dramatically impact the very efficiency he’s praised for. But a larger role than what he’s had should certainly be a consideration.
Both Gallup and Jalen Tolbert have been somewhat disappointing this season. They’ve peppered in good plays here and there but for the most part have failed to live up to their preseason expectations. Adding Turpin to the mix and dividing the snaps equally amongst all three would get the Cowboys’ most efficient and deadly weapon on the field more without saddling him with a burdensome workload.
Low key, Turpin has been the Cowboys most efficient offensive weapon. He needs to be part of the weekly gameplan and has the ability to take the Dallas offense to the next level. Opponents have enough to worry about when facing this offense. The Cowboys should give them one more.