FRISCO, TEXAS — It seems like just yesterday the Dallas Cowboys added Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup to the roster, and all three had the luxury of brightening up opposing defenses in their own special ways. is. Fast forward to today, and two-thirds of that trio is no longer at North Texas, leaving Lamb as the sole heir to the wide receiver crown.
In one of the more unique situations in any NFL Draft, Lamb was still available when the Cowboys took him in the first round in 2020, and he is more than worth his draft value. It's increasing.
But with Gallup's latest contract announced, Brandin Cooks' contract year set, and Lamb contract negotiations underway, the Cowboys could consider adding more depth long-term. Or?
In our new series, “High Low,” we'll be digging deeper into this, with each edition focusing on a different position group heading into draft week.
Odds: High
- CeeDee Lamb: It's clear the Cowboys have some potentially market-defining contracts that they're looking to acquire as soon as possible, and the Rams are right up there in both priority and expected cost.
A record-setting season in 2023 set up the latest addition to the 88 Club to become the face of the franchise at wide receiver for the foreseeable future, but he is now in a contract year (an $18 million fifth-year option year). I'm on my way. ) unless something is agreed before the season starts in September. And lest we forget, Lamb was never supposed to be a draft choice for the Cowboys in the first place. - brandin cooks: It was a slow start for Cooks in Dallas, but things changed after head coach and offensive playcaller Mike McCarthy started ramping up the number of targets for the former 1,000-yard receiver. He finished the season with a strong rise that more than justified a trade, and his chemistry with Lamb and Dak Prescott is as clear as the value of his guidance to players like Jalen Tolbert. At issue is Cooks' contract, which is set to expire after the 2024 season unless an extension is agreed to by then.
- jalen tolbert: In his second year, Tolbert's step was on full display every time he got a chance in the receiving game. As a rookie, he was overwhelmed by his transition to the NFL and freely admitted it affected his self-confidence. But Tolbert, who was attached to Cooks all offseason, has made a complete 180-degree turn and is poised to step into a bigger role, especially with the release of Michael Gallup.
- Cavonte Turpin: When it comes to guys stepping into a bigger role, that's exactly what Turpin was able to do in his second year with the Cowboys, and more so than Tolbert did last season. The ace returner was an effective weapon for Prescott and McCarthy on offense, but there was still plenty of meat on his bones. Will he have more chances to play in 2024? Or will this popularity be capped off by the emergence of Tolbert and other young talents like Jalen Brooks who won't take long to get used to the big stage?
- Jalen Brooks: One of the most impressive rookies is Brooks, who ironically was the last pick (seventh round) in last year's draft. He made waves in training camp, making the final roster spot, and ultimately suffered an injury at that position that forced him to suspend the regular season. When targeted, Brooks didn't look like a rookie, but rather an experienced veteran, which bodes very well for what he's going to be in his next year or so.
- Martavis Bryant, David Darden, Lacey McMath, Jalen Cropper: This is a notable takeaway heading into minicamp and training camp, especially since Bryant signed after the end of his indefinite suspension in the NFL, but has since been released, and has moved on from futures to get a very realistic contract. The contract was renewed. Photographed when some eyes opened in July and August. He will face Darden, Cropper and new recruit McMath as this group of four fight for the right to continue wearing a Cowboys uniform.
Overall, the Cowboys aren't in a dire situation with receivers going into the draft, but they aren't completely ready either. That means there's a pretty good chance Dallas will acquire a receiver in late April.
