With All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb out for at least the next two weeks, it is clear that the Dallas Cowboys are going to have to use all of their available pass-catchers to fill the void. George Pickens has become the de facto WR1, but there is another player who is poised to step up.
The electric KaVontae Turpin has shown that he has a unique skillset that none of the other Cowboys wideouts possess, and he needs to be more involved moving forward. Unfortunately, it looks as though Turpin could miss Week 5 with a foot injury, but the point stands: he needs a bigger role.
Through the Cowboys first four games, Turpin has just 13 targets. He has hauled in 11 of them for 159 yards and a touchdown. That is not enough.
The Cowboys need KaVontae Turpin to have an even bigger role in their offense
Cowboy fans have seen what the diminutive but extremely speedy Turpin can do as a return man, but now it is time to start getting him more involved in the passing game - especially with Lamb nursing a high ankle sprain - once he's all healed from his foot ailment.
His world-class speed is obviously a weapon, but new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams could be using him in additional ways to help Dak Prescott and the team on offense.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer and Adams should be using Turpin on deep routes every time they are on offense, even if they don't plan on throwing it to him.
The threat of Turpin taking the top off the defense will keep the safeties honest and not allow them to load up in the box and tighten the field. It's not all on the coaches, either, as film study shows that Turpin has broken open over the top on several occasions and Prescott has not seen him.
Taking a few shots over the top will make things much easier for guys like Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, and tight end Jake Ferguson to find the open pockets in he secondary - especially against two-deep and regular zone looks from the defense.
At 5'9", 153 pounds, Turpin may be the smallest guy on the field, but it also serves him well on plays at the line of scrimmage where he can get lost behind a sea of 300-pound linemen and look to find a seam on jet sweeps and reverses.
Some quick screens that are ostensibly long hand-offs to Turpin also need to become more frequent. His 4.3 speed can also force an opponent to defend the width of the field as well, which will loosen up running lanes for Javonte Williams.
You can't teach the Turpin's level of speed, and there aren't many skill players in the NFL that are as lightning quick with the ball in their hands. He needs to get at least 8-10 touches a game - with or without Lamb on the field - just so the opposing defense is aware that they could get burned for a quick house call at any time.