Cowboys let Malik Turner go despite WR depth needs

If you were expecting the Dallas Cowboys to start making decisions that make any sense, I regret to inform you it hasn’t happened. On Monday, Cowboys free agent WR Malik Turner signed with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract. According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, the deal includes a few guarantees such as $300,000 of his base salary.

Was Turner an incredible free agent who the Cowboys desperately needed to keep? Far from it. However, considering Dallas already has holes to fill with Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson gone, does it really make sense to be letting go of decent depth players? Turner spent the last two years in Dallas. In 2021, he played in 14 games and collected 16 receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns. The former Cowboy also had a significant special teams role last season.

To summarize, America’s Team has lost three wide receivers in five weeks. Not only that, but the wide receiver they shelled out a giant contract to, Michael Gallup, is currently predicted to miss at least one game at the beginning of the year due to the ACL surgery he underwent in February. In other words, your WR Trio for game one is CeeDee Lamb, James Washington, and Simi Fehoko. Dallas went from Lamb, Cooper, and Gallup to Lamb and two backup level players.

Dallas Cowboys let WR Malik Turner go to the 49ers despite losing multiple receivers in free agency

Again, we aren’t trying to argue that Turner was an excellent, standout wide receiver. But doesn’t this team need depth? He also has shown some innate skill and speed, especially in the last game against Washington.

But… don’t worry! (sarcasm) The team re-signed Noah Brown, remember?! In four years with Dallas, Brown has scored zero touchdowns. However, he has Turner beat in yards by a whopping 35 yards. Of course, we can all hope that Gallup returns ASAP and looks as good as new and that Washington is secretly an excellent WR3, but that’s a risky dream. Regardless, depth is needed.

The lack of wideouts now available on the roster could suggest a shift in draft plans, which isn’t ideal for fans who want to see a solid foundation built for the offensive line. It’s unlikely that Turner was going to jump the ranks and be a starting receiver. However, it just doesn’t make sense to further dismantle the depth chart of a position that’s already been stripped down this offseason. Wideout has gone from a position that could use upgrading to a glaring hole in a short amount of time.