Cowboys' most recent bet paid off big time vs. Titans
The Dallas Cowboys might've been looking for a different dimension on offense by adding T.Y. Hilton when they signed the veteran free agent. The former Colt specializes in speed and is an expert zone beater with a high football IQ. Assuming the signing went well, the Cowboys were getting a high-end, experienced rotational player on […]
The Dallas Cowboys might've been looking for a different dimension on offense by adding T.Y. Hilton when they signed the veteran free agent. The former Colt specializes in speed and is an expert zone beater with a high football IQ.
Assuming the signing went well, the Cowboys were getting a high-end, experienced rotational player on offense. It's safe to say that they might be getting even more than that. They might be getting a legit upgrade at No. 3 wide receiver.
That was made evident on Thursday Night Football when the wide receiver bailed out the Cowboys' offense on multiple occasions. In the third quarter, Dak Prescott targeted Hilton in a shallow route. Hilton made the most of it by earning 24 yards after the catch.
The Cowboys got themselves a guy that moves the chains. Three of Hilton's catches versus the Titans went for third down conversions, following up a 52-yard grab on third and 30 versus the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16.
Hilton has already caught five passes in six targets for 102 yards in his first couple of games as a Cowboy. He played in 16% of the offensive snaps in the first game (vs PHI) and 28% in the second (@ TEN), per Pro Football Reference.
The door is wide open to earn a bigger role on offense as Noah Brown has caught two passes in six targets over the last couple of games. Even Michael Gallup has shown inconsistencies on the field on several occasions.
The Cowboys need Hilton to continue to step up as the veteran wideout has earned a higher snap count moving forward.
Although Kellen Moore has done a good job mixing in several personnel groupings, we know this team wants to play more and more 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR). It's tough to do that without the horses at wide receiver.
But with CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Hilton, and even Brown in a smaller role, the Cowboys should like their chances.
Featured image via Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
