With the Dallas Cowboys kicking off their 2023 NFL season on Sunday Night against the New York Giants, it's clear they have the firepower to combat a defense that will be starting two rookie cornerbacks on the outside. 

They've got CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup catching footballs from Dak Prescott. It should be a high-powered offense right from the get-go. 

That probably explains why the Cowboys never really considered one of the top free agents in the NFL this year: WR DeAndre Hopkins, who eventually signed with the Tennessee Titans.

During a large portion of the offseason, the Cowboys were expected by many to be interested in Hopkins as the veteran wideout was expected to sign at a discount price given he was released by the Arizona Cardinals in May, bringing down the interest teams could've had on him. 

In a recent interview, Hopkins admitted he actually gave the Cowboys a call but never heard back from the front office.

"There were some teams that I had on my list that I gave them calls and they didn’t give a call back,” told GQ Magazine earlier this month. “Detroit Lions, they didn't want me. the Dallas Cowboys didn’t want me. Giants didn’t want me. Shit. Who else ain’t want me? San Fran ain’t want me.”

That's a surprising and honest statement from Hopkins, who will be trying his best to get some revenge this season and prove those teams wrong. In an offense featuring Derrick Henry and Treylon Burks, he might have decent success in Nashville.

As for the Cowboys, it's a reflection of the belief they have in their own wide receiver room. Cooks' speed has been turning heads since voluntary workouts and Gallup is actually ready for football at this time of year as opposed to 2022. Lamb has a full year of WR1 experience and will be getting help from his teammates to avoid as much double coverage as he got last season. 

Such faith is reinforced by their fourth-best wide receiver, second-year Jalen Tolbert. The once disappointing rookie is looking like a completely different player in Year 2 and won in training camp and the preseason with smooth route running. 

The way he's looked, Tolbert could very well push Gallup for WR3 snaps throughout the year.

That and the Cowboys' financial priorities explain why the front office seemingly passed on D-Hop. There's little reason to believe as of now that decision will come back to haunt them. 

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Featured image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports