The Cowboys were like kids in the candy store when wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was on the board with the 17th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. A steal, to say the least, Lamb has averaged around 75 receptions for just over 1,000 yards in his first two seasons, making him one of the league's brightest young stars.

Entering year three, Lamb is expected to take the next step in his progression with the Cowboys and catapult his name up the wide receiver ranks. According to Pro Football Focus, Lamb is on the cusp of the elite category as they ranked him as a tier two player at the receiver position.

"Lamb was pigeonholed to the slot as a rookie in 2020 but was given an outside job in 2021, where he showcased his best play. Lined up out wide last season, the former Oklahoma Sooner was the sixth-highest-graded receiver in the NFL.

"Lamb needs to get better with defeating press coverage, but he ate when given a free release. The 6-foot-2, 191-pound receiver also attacks the catch point well and is strong after the catch. He ranked top-five at the position in both contested catch rate (70% — 14-of-20) and broken tackles after the catch (19) in 2021."

Life will be a lot different for Lamb in 2022. The departure of Amari Cooper makes Lamb the Cowboys' top option at receiver. This means Lamb will get more of the double team looks that Cooper used to get which will benefit guys like Michael Gallup, rookie Jalen Tolbert, and James Washington.

Lamb's ability to play at multiple spots is a big advantage for him. It's imperative on Cowboys' offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to move Lamb around so that he can take advantage of the opposing team's weaker cornerbacks and allow him to still be an effective player. In addition to this, the guys around him will have to produce so that they can require more attention, which will free up Lamb to some degree.

Lamb has already shown an ability to produce in multiple spots at receiver. The former first-round pick led all receivers in 20+ yard receptions from the slot as a rookie. Also, his 69 receptions and 877 yards from the slot were the most by a rookie receiver since 2006.

In 2021, Lamb did a lot of his damage on the outside seeing as former Cowboys receiver Cedrick Wilson handled most of the slot responsibilities. His numbers were excellent as he finished with 79 receptions for 1,102 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs, and earned him a Pro Bowl nod.

The Cowboys will need Lamb more than ever now seeing as he is the new sheriff in the wide receiver room. All Lamb has done is improve every year he's been with the Cowboys so all signs point to another productive year for him, and hopefully so playoff success for the organization.

Feature image via Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports