Jalen

Brooks

Brooks came on as a deep perimeter target, averaging 14.8 yards per reception. He finishes in the conversation to be one of the Cowboys’ depth receivers down the road. He was ejected Week 17, but had the occasional deep snags throughout the season to keep drives moving. Brooks is a deep-league dart throw heading into next season amidst a murky Cowboys receiver room.

With CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) out, Brooks should see an increased target share if he can suit up although he makes for just a shaky WR6. Brooks has earned just 29 targets this season and averages 0.82 yards per route run. Fantasy managers in need of a reliable flex should look elsewhere. Brooks profiles as more of a single-game DFS option.

Brooks has gotten in limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday after missing the Week 16 win over the Buccaneers. Because of a plethora of injuries for Dallas he could see some targets in Week 17 against the Eagles, but fantasy managers should look elsewhere even if he does get the chance to play.

No real surprises here as the Cowboys limp towards the offseason with their worst record under head coach Mike McCarthy. They have continued with the effort despite their weak record and backup quarterback, something that could turn Sunday Night Football into a back-and-forth affair.

Brooks was added to the injury report on Thursday before being downgraded to a DNP on Friday, indicating he suffered a serious knee injury during practice. He scored his first career touchdown last week but will have to wait for an encore.

Brooks came down with his first career touchdown midway through the third quarter. Cooper Rush threaded the needle between two defenders and Brooks laid out to make the grab. Brooks is still operating as the Cowboys’ fourth receiver and isn’t on the fantasy radar for Week 16. The 2023 seventh-round pick is, however, a name to know in deep dynasty leagues.

It was the highest volume of targets Brooks has had since Week 6, where he had six in a blowout loss to the Lions. Brooks also set a season-high with the two catches. We’re very happy for him. He is not a recommended fantasy football play in any format at this point.

Tolbert was a surprising target-leader for the Cowboys in Week 2. Some of that is likely due to the team being down big in the second half, though he still operated ahead of KaVontae Turpin (three touches, six yards) and Jalen Brooks (one touch, 10 yards). His day was highlighted by a 40-yard contested catch that showed shades of his touted jump-ball ability. Tolbert also recovered a near-costly Dak Prescott fumble in the red zone to at least get the team a field goal. He is unlikely to be the Cowboys’ No. 2 target moving forward, but Tolbert’s usage offers some WR5 value for those in deeper leagues.

Brooks is listed as holdout WR CeeDee Lamb’s direct backup. He stuffed the stat sheet as a Cowboys starter on Sunday, securing a 43-yard reception on the first drive and finishing with one contested catch, one missed tackle forced and one explosive, 15-plus-yard pass play. More showings like this could earn him the right to compete with presumed three-wide receiver-set starter Jalen Tolbert.

With Jalen Brooks (one target) and Jalen Tolbert (three targets) also getting run in the Cowboys’ receiving corps, Gallup is hardly fantasy relevant. He has had a disappointing season, moving down the pecking order amongst the Cowboys offensive weapons. Gallup can be left on fantasy benches for Week 13 against the Seahawks.