In Mike McCarthy's first season as playcaller, Dak Prescott finished second in MVP voting, and the Dallas Cowboys offense once again ranked among the top units in the NFL.
CeeDee Lamb had an All-Pro year, having a 1,749-yard, 12-touchdown season, breaking several franchise records, and solidifying his status as one of the game's top receivers.
But the next best receiver after Lamb was Brandin Cooks (657 yards, 8 TDs), and the veteran got off to a slow start as a Cowboy, but picked himself up in the second half.
Even though Cooks finished tied for eighth in touchdowns, NFL.com believes the offense has a glaring hole behind Lamb. …and quite outrageously, the solution to fill that hole is… fire everyone?!
“The Cowboys are currently projected to be $19.7 million over the cap (second in the NFC) and are once again looking for adequate funds heading into February,” NFL.com writes. “Neither Gallup nor Cooks seem suited to be the WR2 shoe behind CeeDee Lamb, and it would save the team money if either or both are released (Gallup likely after June 1st). would need to be reduced to
“For the sake of Dallas fans, I hope the Boys can find an answer to the obvious WR2 hole in free agency or the draft.”
Sorry, there are all kinds of problems here.
First, the Gallup situation is clear. He has been underperforming and Dallas could gain $9.5 million in space after the June 1 cut. (Incidentally, the Cowboys could theoretically re-sign him later.
Next: There seems to be a misunderstanding about the value of reducing cooks. According to our calculations, the savings would be only $6 million. And if we're right?
Wouldn't it cost more than $6 million to sign a worthy veteran replacement? If you agree with that concept overall…what does Dallas actually get here?
And number three: So does NFL.com think Dallas has a “hole” at the second receiver spot…and thinks getting players out of the receiver room is the solution? “Cut everyone” Wouldn't “doing” actually create a bigger “hole”? “?”
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Cooks finished the regular season with three consecutive touchdown catches, but given that Prescott often turned to him in the fourth quarter when he needed a catch, and that Cooks had four or more receptions eight times, It didn't matter. crime. He wasn't a “hole”.
Gallup's situation is different, and we all know that. He only had 34 receptions for 418 yards and two touchdowns.
But Cooks was a much better outlet for Prescott in the passing game…and I don't understand why he needs to be bundled in with Gallup.
Cooks rushed for 657 yards and eight touchdowns and was one of the top players in the locker room. …and that doesn't represent an “obvious” hole in Dallas' offense.
Free agency and the NFL Draft could theoretically change the outlook here. But our understanding is that Brandin Cooks is slated to be with the Cowboys in 2024…and how NFL.com sees it differently I would like to know more.
