Cowboy Roundup: Osa Odighizuwa too expensive, two wide receivers with the most to prove in 2025?
Cowboy Roundup: Osa Odighizuwa Too Expensive, Two Wide Receivers with the Most to Prove in 2025
As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for another season, the organization continues to navigate tough decisions, particularly when it comes to managing their roster and cap space. In this edition of the Cowboy Roundup, we dive into two crucial topics: Osa Odighizuwa‘s rising price tag and two wide receivers on the Cowboys’ roster who have the most to prove heading into the 2025 season. With several roster spots at risk and an ever-evolving NFC East landscape, these decisions could significantly impact the Cowboys’ future.
Osa Odighizuwa: Rising Price Tag Creates a Dilemma
One of the Cowboys’ most promising young defensive stars in recent years, Osa Odighizuwa, has been an emerging force on the defensive line. The third-year defensive tackle out of UCLA has developed into one of the more disruptive players on the Cowboys’ defense, playing a key role in both the run defense and pass rush. However, with the team’s salary cap situation growing tighter each year, Odighizuwa’s price tag may soon become too much to bear.
Odighizuwa had a standout 2023 campaign, finishing with several sacks and tackles for loss, further establishing himself as a key part of the Cowboys’ defensive line rotation. His size, athleticism, and quickness make him a valuable asset who can dominate interior offensive linemen, collapse the pocket, and create pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The question now is whether the Cowboys can afford to keep him long-term given his potential future salary demands. With the Cowboys consistently looking to balance maintaining a competitive roster while also adhering to cap restrictions, Odighizuwa’s contract extension could potentially force the Cowboys to make some tough decisions.
The Cap Space Issue
When discussing the Cowboys’ cap space, the team’s financial situation is far from ideal. Although Dak Prescott‘s contract has been restructured, DeMarcus Lawrence‘s salary is near its peak, and other marquee players like Micah Parsons are in line for hefty paydays in the near future. This leaves limited room to extend contracts or sign big free-agent acquisitions.
If Odighizuwa demands a salary close to that of some of the higher-paid defensive tackles in the NFL, the Cowboys might be forced to let him walk or explore a trade for draft assets. The team could also look for alternatives in the draft or free agency, but they’d be hard-pressed to find a player with Odighizuwa’s potential for the same price.
Ultimately, the Cowboys’ defense is a key strength of the team, and losing Odighizuwa would create a void in the interior defensive line. However, general manager Jerry Jones and the front office may have to choose where to allocate their resources for the team’s long-term success. While Odighizuwa has provided excellent value so far, his next contract may be one that the Cowboys can’t comfortably afford in a cap-strapped environment.
Two Wide Receivers with the Most to Prove in 2025
As much as the Cowboys’ defense has been a focal point of their success in recent seasons, it’s no secret that their offense needs to perform at a consistently high level to reach the promised land. That means their wide receivers must step up. While the team has had flashes of brilliance from their pass catchers, the 2025 season will be crucial for two key players: CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert. Both of these players have the potential to take the Cowboys’ offense to the next level, but they must prove they can do so consistently.
CeeDee Lamb: The Star in the Making
CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ WR1, has already established himself as one of the league’s top young wideouts. Since being drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Lamb has shown tremendous potential and has posted impressive numbers over his first few seasons. His ability to make tough catches, create separation, and gain yards after the catch has made him a dynamic weapon in the Cowboys’ offense. He finished the 2023 season with over 1,300 yards receiving, a testament to his skills as a wide receiver.
However, the true challenge for Lamb will be proving he can handle the leadership mantle and elevate his game even further. In 2025, Lamb will need to not only maintain his high level of production but also become more consistent and take over games when necessary. The Cowboys are heavily reliant on Lamb to be the focal point of their passing attack, and it’s crucial that he performs well in big moments.
Lamb’s performance during high-pressure situations is a key element of his development. Over the past few seasons, while he has had some stellar individual performances, there have been moments when he hasn’t quite delivered when the team needed him most. With Cooper Rush and Dak Prescott under center in 2025, Lamb will need to take over games and help lead the team during critical stretches.
As the offense becomes more reliant on the passing game, Lamb will need to further solidify his role as a true WR1. Proving that he can remain consistent while being the go-to guy on third downs and in the red zone will be paramount to his success moving forward.
Jalen Tolbert: The Young Receiver with High Expectations
Jalen Tolbert, the second-year wide receiver, enters the 2025 season with high expectations after the Cowboys spent a third-round pick on him in the 2022 draft. Tolbert showed flashes of promise as a rookie, but his overall impact on the Cowboys’ offense was limited. As the team’s WR3 in 2023, Tolbert had trouble finding consistency in terms of both snaps and production. Despite the clear talent and upside he showed at South Alabama, Tolbert struggled to secure his spot in the wide receiver rotation.
However, 2025 presents a unique opportunity for Tolbert. With Michael Gallup still in the process of working back to full strength and Brandon Cooks entering the latter stages of his career, Tolbert has a chance to step into a more prominent role within the offense. This year will be the true test of whether Tolbert can evolve into a reliable complementary piece to Lamb in the passing game.
Tolbert’s challenge will be more than just consistency; it’s about capitalizing on his physical tools and developing a rapport with Prescott. Throughout his college career, Tolbert showcased excellent ball skills, contested catch ability, and a surprising amount of speed for his size. In 2025, it will be crucial for him to find a way to put those traits to work. Whether it’s in deep routes, red zone situations, or simply making key plays in crucial moments, Tolbert must prove he’s ready to handle a more significant role in the offense.
Another area where Tolbert needs to improve is his ability to create separation. As a young receiver, he has occasionally struggled to get open against tougher defensive backs. However, with his combination of size, speed, and catching ability, there’s no reason why he can’t develop into a solid number two or even number three receiver in the league. If he can carve out a consistent role in the Cowboys’ offense in 2025, it would give Dallas much-needed depth and another weapon for Prescott to rely on.
What These Wide Receivers Mean for Dallas’ Offense
The wide receiver position will be one of the most important storylines for the Cowboys heading into 2025. With Dak Prescott still under contract as the franchise quarterback, the team will need consistent playmakers around him in order to keep pace with the powerful offenses in the NFC.
If CeeDee Lamb can continue his rise as one of the NFL’s elite wide receivers, he could be the game-changer the Cowboys need to make a deep playoff run. He’s already proven that he has the potential to dominate, but proving he can do so consistently in high-leverage situations is critical.
Meanwhile, Jalen Tolbert has a chance to step up as a solid complementary piece, but it will take some serious growth and consistency. His ability to develop chemistry with Prescott and his performance in key moments will ultimately determine whether he can become the playmaker the Cowboys envisioned when they drafted him.
