Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys consider themselves further long on a new deal with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb than with quarterback Dak Prescott. Multiple sources believe a Lamb extension will get done, possibly soon. The team has been talking to Lamb's agent, Tory Dandy, and Lamb's stance is clear: His numbers and the market speak clearly. The Cowboys know it will have to be $30-plus million annually. Meanwhile, Dallas' conversations with Prescott's agent, Todd France, are ongoing. Although a deal isn't considered close, the Cowboys think they are in a better place than they were this offseason. Owner Jerry Jones made news late this week by saying the team is in no rush to extend Lamb, but the reality is the Cowboys need the 25-year-old pass-catcher on the field sooner than later so that he's in midseason form for the start of the 2024 regular season.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert appears ready to have a big season, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "Tolbert looks the part of an NFL receiver now after a few early-career hiccups," they wrote. "[Dak] Prescott looks his way early and often in practice. Look for a big Year 3 for him." Tolbert appeared in all 17 games last season, making six starts along the way. He ultimately caught 22 passes for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Now, the 25-year-old is competing for the No. 3 receiver role with Jalen Brooks, and it sounds like Tolbert might have the early advantage. Even if he's stuck playing behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, Tolbert could display some fantasy relevance given that the Cowboys have a successful offense and are expected to throw the ball a lot. He's an intriguing end-of-draft option in deeper redraft leagues.

The Dallas Cowboys could have running backs Miles Sanders and Dalvin Cook on their short list of targets as the regular season gets closer, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The insiders note that the Cowboys are still evaluating their backfield, which is currently headlined by Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, and have started monitoring a few external options in case they feel the need to make an addition. Sanders is one of those players, and there's also a connection with Cook, who previously expressed interest in playing for the Cowboys. The latter is currently a more feasible option than the former given that Sanders is still under contract with the Panthers, but there's been speculation that he could be on Carolina's roster bubble. If the Cowboys do make a move at running back, it would add another confusing element for fantasy managers to decipher. Elliott, Dowdle, and the addition would presumably all be thrust to the low-end RB3 range while we try to figure out each back's expected usage.

The Dallas Cowboys announced on Friday that quarterback Dak Prescott (ankle) was given a precautionary day off at training camp on Friday due to ankles soreness. It should be nothing to worry about, but Prescott is also not expected to play in Sunday's preseason opener versus the Los Angeles Rams. The 31-year-old continues to manage occasional ankle soreness stemming from his broken ankle several years ago and also caused a stir back in early July when he was seen wearing a protective walking boot on his right foot while on vacation. Prescott continues to maintain that he'll be a full-go for the start of the regular season in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns despite not getting a long-term contract extension as he heads into the final year of his current deal. He had the best year of his career in 2023 but has a lower floor and ceiling than most big-name QBs because of his lack of rushing numbers.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is unlikely to play in the preseason, but if they had to play a regular-season game, he said he'd be ready. "I'm going into Year 9, I've had a lot of experience," Prescott said Thursday. "I think all of that carries into my confidence to say I could play a game right now." The Cowboys held a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, and Prescott looked sharp in his team-drill work against the Rams' first-team defense, completing several passes to wide receiver Jalen Tolbert and tight end Jake Ferguson. With All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb not practicing, his top target was veteran receiver Brandin Cooks. The 31-year-old three-time Pro Bowler was the runner-up for the NFL MVP Award in 2023, leading the league with 36 passing touchdowns and 410 completions in 17 appearances. Prescott is a midrange QB1 pick in fantasy drafts after the top-tier options are off the board.