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Kavontae Turpin #9 of the Dallas Cowboys

In his four seasons since signing with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent from TCU, Kavontae Turpin has established himself as one of the best return men in the league. He has made the Pro Bowl three times and earned two All-Pro honors, and led the league with 33.5 yards per return in 2024. That dipped to 28.5 yards last year, but he led the league in total returns and return yardage.

He only returned 10 punts last season, a function of the Cowboys’ terrible defense, but the ones he did return did not go well–he averaged 5.5 yards per return, down from 10.4 the previous year.

The Cowboys have used Turpin as a gadget player on offense, hoping to take advantage of his speed, and he had 26 catches for 396 yards last season, with 17 runs for 89 yards. All in all, Turpin has been a solid return man and a useful fourth receiver for the Cowboys. But what if they cut him?

KaVontae Turpin on the Chopping Block?

That was the proposal from the Cowboys news and analysis site Blogging the Boys this weekend, with Turpin listed as a potential “truly shocking” roster cut this offseason. The Cowboys could, indeed, make some surprise cuts this season, as they are only about $7 million under the salary cap and could find it useful to create more space if they have other areas to address.

The Cowboys could save $3.4 million by cutting Turpin. But why cut him?

Two reasons, from BTB: “The first would be a logjam at wide receiver for the Cowboys. Sitting atop the depth chart you have George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. After them, Ryan Flournoy, and then a host of young guys and veterans. Although Turpin is good for an explosive highlight on offense occasionally, he isn’t as polished a wide receiver as he is a return specialist. …

“Secondly, Jaydon Blue could step up in year two to take a more prominent role overall. He ended the season on a high note and so the team may want to increase his touches wherever they can. With the new kickoff rules, he’ll get more chances to get returns and showcase his speed.”

Cowboys Don’t Have a Punt Returner

The advantage would be that the Cowboys could give more opportunities to some of the incoming pass-catchers the team has brought in, including seventh-round pick Anthony Smith from East Carolina and undrafted free agent Jordan Hudson from SMU. Both have a shot at making the roster, but perhaps not if the Cowboys keep Turpin and Jonathan Mingo on hand.

And the Cowboys could use the money this summer if they want to further address their defense, with a trade for Josh Sweat or by signing Joey Bosa or another veteran.

There are some reasons to let Turpin walk, but if that was in the Cowboys’ plans, they probably should have secured another punt returner along the way. Right now, that’s Turpin’s job and there is no clear Plan B there. Blue can return kickoffs but he’s not a punt returner. at least not yet. Cutting Turpin, then, would be shocking.