Cowboys thinking when it comes to wide receivers is taking a turn
Once upon a time, the Dallas Cowboys were pretty set in their ways when it came to the type of wide receivers they coveted. They usually were over six feet tall, and the Cowboys had success with them. Dez Bryant, who is the Cowboys' all-time leader in receiving touchdowns fitted this mold as well as […]
Once upon a time, the Dallas Cowboys were pretty set in their ways when it came to the type of wide receivers they coveted.
They usually were over six feet tall, and the Cowboys had success with them. Dez Bryant, who is the Cowboys' all-time leader in receiving touchdowns fitted this mold as well as Terrence Williams and more recently Cedrick Wilson seeing as they all measured at 6'2".
As the 2023 NFL draft approaches, times are changing in Dallas when it comes to the wide receiver position. Yes, they are bringing in Quentin Johnston out of TCU for a visit who stands at 6'3", but the Cowboys have shown extreme interest in guys under six feet tall lately.
It started with the Cowboys trading for veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The former first-round pick is 5'10" and 183 pounds, and even as he enters his 10th season, he still has excellent speed.
Then there are the draft prospects the Cowboys have been linked to.
Zay Flowers out of Boston College had a top-30 visit with the Cowboys on Monday. Flowers is 5'9" and 183 pounds with 4.42 speed to his credit.
North Carolina receiver Josh Downs met with the Cowboys at his Pro Day. Downs measures in at 5'9" and 174 pounds and ran a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash.
Tank Dell of the Houston Cougars recently had a workout with the Cowboys. He's the smallest of the bunch at 5'8" and 165 pounds but he ran a 4.49 in the 40.
There's an obvious trend here. Flowers, Downs, and Dell are all between 5'8"-5'9". Also, they possess one thing the Cowboys desperately need at receiver, speed.
Dallas will implement principles of the West Coast Offense in 2023 which is designed to have short passes and quick slant routes to get receivers, and even running backs, out in space to make big plays. That makes either of these three guys a fit for what the Cowboys are trying to do in the passing game.
Old habits die hard, but it seems the Cowboys are turning over a new leaf when it comes to receivers.
