What Fantasy Managers Should Prepare for if Rostering a Dallas Pass-Catcher
In the four weeks star quarterback Dak Prescott has been sidelined with a fractured thumb suffered in Week 1 against the Buccaneers, no one thought the Cowboys would be undefeated under backup quarterback Cooper Rush. In Prescott’s absence, Rush has completed 61 percent of his passes for 839 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. While the defense deserves its kudos for remaining a top-five unit from the season prior, many are enamored by how well the backup quarterback has been able to manage the offense.
The organization has felt little pressure to force Dak back amidst a 4–1 start to the season. Any fear we had of CeeDee Lamb’s fantasy stock taking a hit was soon dissipated after back-to-back 11-plus target performances in Weeks 2 and 3. Noah Brown was a thing for a few weeks as a low-end WR3 with some upside, starting out wide opposite of Lamb. As anticipated, the return of Michael Gallup from his ACL tear last season has quelled the Noah Brown hype, respectfully.
Gallup having a receiving touchdown in his season debut in Week 4 against the Commanders, and an increased target share from three to five in Week 5 against the Rams, is a more than promising sight. If Gallup can continue to work his way back fully to the 1,000-yard deep-ball threat we know him to be, Cooper Rush could start to accumulate some bigger numbers in the passing game—especially this Sunday as they face the 5–0 Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East lead on Sunday Night Football.
Tight end Dalton Schultz has been nursing a PCL sprain suffered in Week 2’s win over Cincinnati. Schultz missed one game, then returned in Week 4 against Washington. He played 55 snaps in that game and didn’t log a catch. In Week 5 against the Rams, he only played nine offensive snaps before re-aggravating his PCL sprain. The Cowboys have already ruled Dak Prescott out for Week 6 against Philadelphia, as referenced in an article posted on ESPN. It wouldn’t shock us if Schultz received that same designation, but even if Schultz does suit up Sunday night, he may not be one hundred percent healthy yet. Be prepared to find a replacement at tight end if you don’t have a steady backup.
Regardless of the outcome this Sunday night, if the Cowboys come out of Philadelphia with all of their key pieces suffering no major injury setbacks, they’ll be in prime position to have a couple of “get right” games. From experience, we know that this Dallas offense blossoms to a different potential with Prescott under center. We all see he is eager to get back on the field, as he is already practicing in a limited capacity.
This may be the perfect time to buy low on Dallas pass-catchers before they start to boom in Week 7 against the Lions and Week 8 against the Bears. Are you taking a chance on Dak Prescott returning to the lineup fully healthy and able to throw the football? Yes. Are you also taking a chance on Prescott coming back and setting the league on fire because of all of this Cooper Rush controversy? Yes.
If the Cowboys lose to the Eagles, they’ll be even more incentivized to elevate their level of play, as they are not scoring more than 18 points per game. A Cowboys win, coupled with another Cooper Rush well-managed, zero-turnover outing, should be more than enough motivation for Prescott to succeed this season. It was just last season this offense ranked first in total yards accumulated.
The buy-low window is now. Things are heating up in “Big D.”
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