The Dallas Cowboys needed more speed at the wide receiver position, especially after being one of the worst teams in terms of separation last season. 

They solved that problem with veteran Brandin Cooks who has racked up six 1,000-yard seasons in nine years for four other teams. However, as much as his speed will be an asset, the impact of Cooks goes much further than that. 

CeeDee Lamb, who solidified himself as the Cowboys' No.1 target after a career year in 2022, recently spoke on what he's absorbing from Cooks.

“I’m a visual learner and I’m just watching him as he runs his routes, the way he preps, the way he practices, how he goes about his business. I love each and every part of it,” Lamb said, via ESPN. “I mean, he’s a professional to a 'T'. My coach told me bringing him in will be the best thing for me and it is.”

Cooks is a versatile receiver, but he's more of an outside guy despite being just 5'9". This means that Lamb can operate more in the slot where he has been ultra-productive throughout his career and Cooks can hold down the outside duties with Michael Gallup. 

Speaking of the former third-round pick, Gallup, who is only 27 years of age, has battled injuries over the last two seasons. He came back from a torn ACL last year after just nine months, and it was pretty clear that he still needed more time to get back to his old self.

Well, Cooks is helping Gallup and others with some tips on how to be a valuable asset for a long time.

“He tells everybody, ‘When you are you're done with this, you're done with that, make sure you stretch. Make sure you do what you're supposed to do so you can stay in the league as long as you possibly can’ said Gallup. "That's one of the biggest things right now. Football, that's going to be there. We got in the league for a reason. But he's over here talking about how you stay in the league.”

That's what makes Cooks such an important addition to the Cowboys. It's not just about him going out there and producing, which he undoubtedly will, but he's making sure his younger teammates have all the knowledge they need to play as long, and as well, as he has.

Although it isn't just about his speed, Cooks has displayed it enough during the last few months that it's hard to ignore. 

“Real speed. Runs the same way every time. I think that’s the most important thing,” said Dak Prescott. “When you have speed like that, for him to be able to do it every play, every route, the start of every route, the cornerbacks, defense, they don’t know what they’re getting. It all looks the same.”

The trio of Lamb, Cooks, and Gallup has a chance to be very special in 2023.

National media says Cowboys’ veteran can tip the scales in 2023

He certainly makes them a lot better team.

Feature image via Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports