Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb makes ESPN's top 10 WR list
Being a first-round pick comes with great expectations and that's exactly what got placed on the back of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb when the Dallas Cowboys took him in 2020, especially wearing the 88 jersey on his back. Lamb had to deal with COVID completely messing up his rookie season on top of quarterback Dak […]
Being a first-round pick comes with great expectations and that's exactly what got placed on the back of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb when the Dallas Cowboys took him in 2020, especially wearing the 88 jersey on his back.
Lamb had to deal with COVID completely messing up his rookie season on top of quarterback Dak Prescott missing 11 games. However, he still put up 935 yards and five touchdowns.
The last two seasons have seen Lamb eclipse the 1,000-yard mark each time and receive an All-Pro selection, placing him among the NFL's elite pass catchers. After ESPN gave him an honorable mention nod a year ago, they placed Lamb in their top 10 rankings for receivers in 2023.
10. CeeDee Lamb
Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Lamb's name now rings in Cowboys receiver folklore after a banner third season. At 23, he became the youngest receiver in Cowboys history to produce a 1,000-yard season. He's also the youngest player in franchise history to catch 100 passes.
"He's going to be a top-of-market guy," one high-ranking NFL executive predicted of Lamb's potential contract extension. "He's really good."
Dak Prescott had an outrageous 93 QBR when targeting Lamb, who finished the year with 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns. Overall, Prescott's QBR was 57.9.
One league exec said Lamb isn't necessarily special in one area but is well-rounded: Route running, hands, ball carrier, separator, enough speed to beat corners deep.
A high-ranking AFC official called him a "true combo WR," as dangerous in the slot as on the outside. "Has outstanding setup and movement that really bothers DBs. Has enough size to expose the smaller/lighter guy, really good run-after-the-catch, strong hands, has improved every year." –Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
Lamb only played in the slot 42.4% of the time in 2021 thanks to Cedrick Wilson manning that role. Last season, Lamb lined up in the slot 62.5% of the time, and although it was still significantly less than his rookie campaign of 93.2%, it's no surprise that his best year came with heavy slot usage, something that will continue with the addition of Brandin Cooks.
With a healthy Michael Gallup back on the roster as well, good offensive line play, and Prescott cutting down his interceptions, this year has the potential to be even better for Lamb than last season was.
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Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
