What's positive about the Cowboys right now?
Every NFL Draft has a shocking moment. In the 2020 NFL Draft, it was Oklahoma's star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's fall that created the moment. For reasons no one knows yet, Lamb went down, but things worked out beautifully for the Dallas Cowboys. When Lamb was finally able to select his number 17, he could hear his name called and he received a call from Jerry Jones.
Lamb arrived in Dallas and was immediately awarded the coveted No. 88 jersey, something some had expected since he was selected in the first round. Lamb was sandwiched between two wide receivers who each had over 1,000 yards the previous season. Naturally, this led to talk that the Cowboys offense could become the first team to have three 1,000-yard receivers on the same team. With Amari Cooper playing as the team's veteran outside receiver and Michael Gallup playing on the opposite side, Lamb was able to play where he performs best: in the slot. He finished his rookie year just short of his expected 1,000-yard season, but scored six total touchdowns, second-most on the team that year.
Dating back to last season, Lamb had fully assumed the WR1 role. Some questioned whether he could be a true leading receiver and called him a fringe WR1, but no one was thinking that at the end of last season. His performance in the wild-card game was an outlier in a season where he struggled to find his groove. The rest of the year proved how effective he was when teams focused their offense through him. He finished the season breaking Michael Irvin's franchise single-season records for receptions and receiving yards, and also led the NFL in receptions and was second in receiving yards, just 50 yards behind Tyreek Hill.
Lamb was under a lot of pressure from the moment he arrived in Dallas, but he proved his skills were worth the high draft capital. Fans saw more of him use his speed and separation to dominate last season than ever before. The Oklahoma State native's route running needed some refinement, but acquiring a player like Amari Cooper early on certainly paid off. Lamb showed he is one of the top five receivers in the league with his clean routes, good ball skills and explosiveness. This season, he received a Pro Bowl nomination and a first-team All-Pro nod, as well as a nomination for Offensive Player of the Year.
Negotiations to keep Lamb in Dallas should be at the top of the front office's to-do list this year. Losing Lamb would mean losing the offense and the very close chemistry he and Dak have built over the past two seasons. Based on Lamb's skill set and desire to constantly improve his game, it's highly unlikely that Lamb will suddenly regress. As such, the Cowboys will need to reach a contract extension for Lamb to prevent him from becoming a free agent after the 2024 season.
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