CFZ The Cowboys Should Prepare Receiver Room, as if CD were Injured

Stash

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In the NFL, it's next man up, as they say.

We saw Dak go down in 2022, and the team held up.

Cooper Rush stepped in, made a name for himself, and led the team to 4 victories over 5 games.

Rush was the next man up, and that's great work by a backup quarterback. It would earn many at least a chance at a starting job.

But we're not talking about Cooper Rush here; we're talking about Cee Dee Lamb.

I'm not trying to jinx anyone here, but let's say Cee Dee Lamb were to go down.

Could the Cowboys survive?

There aren't many things more true for the Cowboys during the 2023 season: the Cowboys need help at WR if they're going to compete with the big dogs going in to 2023. Some will inevitably bring up Amari Cooper, and that's fine. But it's also spilled milk.

The question now is more about what they can do now. And the answer should be to build it up with enough talent that it could not only survive without Lamb, but possibly thrive without Lamb.

Of course, there's Jalen Tolbert. And only the Cowboys know what they've got there.

But let's be honest. If they thought Jalen Tolbert could be the answer, he likely would have seen the field at least a little bit more in 2022. And the stars just never aligned for Tolbert. I still like the possibility of Tolbert improving. And the same goes for Fehoko. But I just never saw enough from those guy to give me confidence. Although I did notice Fehoko getting open during games, and I just never saw that from Tolbert, unless I'm missing something, outside of preseason.

Also, when the press and fans were raving about Dennis Houston not only making the team, but cracking the starting lineup, that should have lit a fire under Tolbert to go take the job from Houston, who could also use the rookie excuse being that he was an UDFA trying to fight his way on the team.

That should have been the spark that catalyzed things for Tolbert.

It just never was.

And Fehoko has pretty much always been sort of the Miles Austin project.

So, how do you build your WR room for 2023?

I'd argue you account for at least three guys being in it. Cee Dee Lamb, and Noah Brown both played better than many thought they would, and I'd say Brown at least earned a shot to come back to camp next year to compete. Then there was Gallup who, I think, improves a lot next year.

Many have expressed they would rather see the Cowboys bring in new players rather than see Brown return. But how much can you rebuild in an off-season? It's good to have continuity and veteran guys with your team. And for the right price, I'd say Noah Brown should be part of this team next year, at the very least as a ST guy and #4 or 5 in your WR room.

But that leaves 3-4 roster spots open. Even if the team only keeps 5 WRs (not counting Turpin), that's two roster spots wide open at the receiver position.

Not only that. While we kind of know what we have with Cee Dee, Gallup, and Brown.

How much do we really know about Tolbert and Fehoko?

The other guy who was supposed to be in the mix last year, James Washington, got injured in camp. And once he worked his way back from injury, he never really contributed anything before he was ultimately cut, which doesn't bode well for his chances of coming back this year.

So the Cowboys have some work to do. Even if they only figure adding one WR through the draft, they need to be as sure as sure can be on the player they choose. I actually expect the chances are high that they'll take a wide receiver in round 1. There's not many players you're going to get outside of the first 40 picks who'll give your team a chance to make a playoff run if, Heaven forbid, something like an injury to Lamb were to happen. I would even argue you can justify taking two WRs in this draft.

But I'd be sure to get one you really like in round 1.

Not only that, the free agent market on wide receivers looks pretty thin, although it's not completely void of talent, so there's that.

Whatever they do, the talent they add should be a level of talent that can fit in with the guys we have now Lamb, Brown, Gallup, and Tolbert, and that talent should be someone with the ability to help us win games as a number 1 level of talent.

Adding top-notch wide receiver talent would be the most effective route to improving the team as much as possible to compete with the Eagles and 9ers next year.
A nice post and thread topic. You clearly put some time and effort into it.

It reminds me of how many mistakes they made with their wide receivers.

They went from a loaded room with Cooper, Lamb, Gallup, Cedrick Wilson, and Noah Brown to scrambling for answers in just one offseason. A dubious accomplishment.
 
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rambo2

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They need to do a lot of things that good front offices would do ......... but instead they are gonna just do it the Jones way that has gotten us 28 years of failure.
They just need to get the number 1 spot instead of the 5 and that could change.
 

shabazz

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Idk why the panic like Gallup didn't just come off a bad injury. A healthy Gallup gets you 1000 yrds and them great catches. He'll return back to form in 2024. I think MM is going to use Turpin this yr with the wc offense. Kellen has plays meant for today's game, but the guy still sees the field like a backup qb. It's like he called plays thinking the qb had his same noodle arm.
2023 would be better
 

ConstantReboot

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In the NFL, it's next man up, as they say.

We saw Dak go down in 2022, and the team held up.

Cooper Rush stepped in, made a name for himself, and led the team to 4 victories over 5 games.

Rush was the next man up, and that's great work by a backup quarterback. It would earn many at least a chance at a starting job.

But we're not talking about Cooper Rush here; we're talking about Cee Dee Lamb.

I'm not trying to jinx anyone here, but let's say Cee Dee Lamb were to go down.

Could the Cowboys survive?

There aren't many things more true for the Cowboys during the 2023 season: the Cowboys need help at WR if they're going to compete with the big dogs going in to 2023. Some will inevitably bring up Amari Cooper, and that's fine. But it's also spilled milk.

The question now is more about what they can do now. And the answer should be to build it up with enough talent that it could not only survive without Lamb, but possibly thrive without Lamb.

Of course, there's Jalen Tolbert. And only the Cowboys know what they've got there.

But let's be honest. If they thought Jalen Tolbert could be the answer, he likely would have seen the field at least a little bit more in 2022. And the stars just never aligned for Tolbert. I still like the possibility of Tolbert improving. And the same goes for Fehoko. But I just never saw enough from those guy to give me confidence. Although I did notice Fehoko getting open during games, and I just never saw that from Tolbert, unless I'm missing something, outside of preseason.

Also, when the press and fans were raving about Dennis Houston not only making the team, but cracking the starting lineup, that should have lit a fire under Tolbert to go take the job from Houston, who could also use the rookie excuse being that he was an UDFA trying to fight his way on the team.

That should have been the spark that catalyzed things for Tolbert.

It just never was.

And Fehoko has pretty much always been sort of the Miles Austin project.

So, how do you build your WR room for 2023?

I'd argue you account for at least three guys being in it. Cee Dee Lamb, and Noah Brown both played better than many thought they would, and I'd say Brown at least earned a shot to come back to camp next year to compete. Then there was Gallup who, I think, improves a lot next year.

Many have expressed they would rather see the Cowboys bring in new players rather than see Brown return. But how much can you rebuild in an off-season? It's good to have continuity and veteran guys with your team. And for the right price, I'd say Noah Brown should be part of this team next year, at the very least as a ST guy and #4 or 5 in your WR room.

But that leaves 3-4 roster spots open. Even if the team only keeps 5 WRs (not counting Turpin), that's two roster spots wide open at the receiver position.

Not only that. While we kind of know what we have with Cee Dee, Gallup, and Brown.

How much do we really know about Tolbert and Fehoko?

The other guy who was supposed to be in the mix last year, James Washington, got injured in camp. And once he worked his way back from injury, he never really contributed anything before he was ultimately cut, which doesn't bode well for his chances of coming back this year.

So the Cowboys have some work to do. Even if they only figure adding one WR through the draft, they need to be as sure as sure can be on the player they choose. I actually expect the chances are high that they'll take a wide receiver in round 1. There's not many players you're going to get outside of the first 40 picks who'll give your team a chance to make a playoff run if, Heaven forbid, something like an injury to Lamb were to happen. I would even argue you can justify taking two WRs in this draft.

But I'd be sure to get one you really like in round 1.

Not only that, the free agent market on wide receivers looks pretty thin, although it's not completely void of talent, so there's that.

Whatever they do, the talent they add should be a level of talent that can fit in with the guys we have now Lamb, Brown, Gallup, and Tolbert, and that talent should be someone with the ability to help us win games as a number 1 level of talent.

Adding top-notch wide receiver talent would be the most effective route to improving the team as much as possible to compete with the Eagles and 9ers next year.
Tell that to the front office. They sat on their behinds and did absolutely nothing to help this team.
 

Mr_437

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Gallup - good WR2 with healthy offseason.
Brown - solid WR4 if brought back.
Turpin - has to contribute on offense.
*Other WRs:
The new offense may suit the skill set of some lower level WRs who can run after catch or have some speed like: Houston, Drummond and Callaway.
*Tolbert n Fehoko are bigger WRs that fit the size at WR McCarthy had at GB. I look for Tolbert to improve.

I don't really care about adding big money WRs because the Cowboys need a dominant running to be successful, they're not going to pass their way to a championship. Therefore, adding good RBs, a road grating LG is more important than a WR imho. Also, I prefer a playmaking TE over another WR. Remember... the Cowboys offense was ok until Pollard went down.
 

Pass2Run

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Gallup - good WR2 with healthy offseason.
Brown - solid WR4 if brought back.
Turpin - has to contribute on offense.
*Other WRs:
The new offense may suit the skill set of some lower level WRs who can run after catch or have some speed like: Houston, Drummond and Callaway.
*Tolbert n Fehoko are bigger WRs that fit the size at WR McCarthy had at GB. I look for Tolbert to improve.

I don't really care about adding big money WRs because the Cowboys need a dominant running to be successful, they're not going to pass their way to a championship. Therefore, adding good RBs, a road grating LG is more important than a WR imho. Also, I prefer a playmaking TE over another WR. Remember... the Cowboys offense was ok until Pollard went down.
I'm not really talking big money. As I'm also not looking to add those. We have one with Lamb. I'm talking more along the lines of drafting offensive talent. I mean, one pretty early on. And then another in the 5th or 6th and even 7th. I think there are some gems there in this draft. That's the one thing I like about this class of receivers.
 

birdwells1

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Idk why the panic like Gallup didn't just come off a bad injury. A healthy Gallup gets you 1000 yrds and them great catches. He'll return back to form in 2024. I think MM is going to use Turpin this yr with the wc offense. Kellen has plays meant for today's game, but the guy still sees the field like a backup qb. It's like he called plays thinking the qb had his same noodle arm.
You can’t rely on Gallup being healthy because when has he been? The Joneses can afford to look at best case scenarios due to the fact that they won’t get fired if it doesn’t happen.

Most GMs who’s jobs are on the line draft a wr early and get a proven vet via trade or FA. That’s how real front offices operate.
 

Verdict

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If the Cowboys are smart, they will prepare to play CeeDee for 6 years (or less) and see him depart in free agency or via trade.

They should be stocking the WR cupboard right now preparing for that. There will be stud WRs getting selected between the last first round through the second round.

Unless there is value at 26 that they just can’t pass on they should be prepared to trade back to the top of the second round. Someone at the top of the second round may be willing to pay a premium to move back up into the first round for a QB.
 

Mr_437

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Most GMs who’s jobs are on the line draft a wr early and get a proven vet via trade or FA. That’s how real front offices operate.
Do you think getting two WRs is the way to go considering they had 2 good WRs just last year?
 

xwalker

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In the NFL, it's next man up, as they say.

We saw Dak go down in 2022, and the team held up.

Cooper Rush stepped in, made a name for himself, and led the team to 4 victories over 5 games.

Rush was the next man up, and that's great work by a backup quarterback. It would earn many at least a chance at a starting job.

But we're not talking about Cooper Rush here; we're talking about Cee Dee Lamb.

I'm not trying to jinx anyone here, but let's say Cee Dee Lamb were to go down.

Could the Cowboys survive?

There aren't many things more true for the Cowboys during the 2023 season: the Cowboys need help at WR if they're going to compete with the big dogs going in to 2023. Some will inevitably bring up Amari Cooper, and that's fine. But it's also spilled milk.

The question now is more about what they can do now. And the answer should be to build it up with enough talent that it could not only survive without Lamb, but possibly thrive without Lamb.

Of course, there's Jalen Tolbert. And only the Cowboys know what they've got there.

But let's be honest. If they thought Jalen Tolbert could be the answer, he likely would have seen the field at least a little bit more in 2022. And the stars just never aligned for Tolbert. I still like the possibility of Tolbert improving. And the same goes for Fehoko. But I just never saw enough from those guy to give me confidence. Although I did notice Fehoko getting open during games, and I just never saw that from Tolbert, unless I'm missing something, outside of preseason.

Also, when the press and fans were raving about Dennis Houston not only making the team, but cracking the starting lineup, that should have lit a fire under Tolbert to go take the job from Houston, who could also use the rookie excuse being that he was an UDFA trying to fight his way on the team.

That should have been the spark that catalyzed things for Tolbert.

It just never was.

And Fehoko has pretty much always been sort of the Miles Austin project.

So, how do you build your WR room for 2023?

I'd argue you account for at least three guys being in it. Cee Dee Lamb, and Noah Brown both played better than many thought they would, and I'd say Brown at least earned a shot to come back to camp next year to compete. Then there was Gallup who, I think, improves a lot next year.

Many have expressed they would rather see the Cowboys bring in new players rather than see Brown return. But how much can you rebuild in an off-season? It's good to have continuity and veteran guys with your team. And for the right price, I'd say Noah Brown should be part of this team next year, at the very least as a ST guy and #4 or 5 in your WR room.

But that leaves 3-4 roster spots open. Even if the team only keeps 5 WRs (not counting Turpin), that's two roster spots wide open at the receiver position.

Not only that. While we kind of know what we have with Cee Dee, Gallup, and Brown.

How much do we really know about Tolbert and Fehoko?

The other guy who was supposed to be in the mix last year, James Washington, got injured in camp. And once he worked his way back from injury, he never really contributed anything before he was ultimately cut, which doesn't bode well for his chances of coming back this year.

So the Cowboys have some work to do. Even if they only figure adding one WR through the draft, they need to be as sure as sure can be on the player they choose. I actually expect the chances are high that they'll take a wide receiver in round 1. There's not many players you're going to get outside of the first 40 picks who'll give your team a chance to make a playoff run if, Heaven forbid, something like an injury to Lamb were to happen. I would even argue you can justify taking two WRs in this draft.

But I'd be sure to get one you really like in round 1.

Not only that, the free agent market on wide receivers looks pretty thin, although it's not completely void of talent, so there's that.

Whatever they do, the talent they add should be a level of talent that can fit in with the guys we have now Lamb, Brown, Gallup, and Tolbert, and that talent should be someone with the ability to help us win games as a number 1 level of talent.

Adding top-notch wide receiver talent would be the most effective route to improving the team as much as possible to compete with the Eagles and 9ers next year.
Fehoko is going to wow in camp to the point they trade away CeeDee and use rookie UDFAs at all other WR spots.
 

birdwells1

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Do you think getting two WRs is the way to go considering they had 2 good WRs just last year?
It’s alway something different imo, last year our oline was in shambles and our front office refused to bench an ineffective Zeke. Also SF had Kellens number 2years in a row, the defenses that gave us the most trouble are the ones that change coverages post snap. This cause confusion for our wr/qb due to us running option routes. Next season Zeke and Kellen should be gone and adding a proven wr to this offense should tell us what we really have in Dak.
 

Beast_from_East

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In the NFL, it's next man up, as they say.

We saw Dak go down in 2022, and the team held up.

Cooper Rush stepped in, made a name for himself, and led the team to 4 victories over 5 games.

Rush was the next man up, and that's great work by a backup quarterback. It would earn many at least a chance at a starting job.

But we're not talking about Cooper Rush here; we're talking about Cee Dee Lamb.

I'm not trying to jinx anyone here, but let's say Cee Dee Lamb were to go down.

Could the Cowboys survive?

There aren't many things more true for the Cowboys during the 2023 season: the Cowboys need help at WR if they're going to compete with the big dogs going in to 2023. Some will inevitably bring up Amari Cooper, and that's fine. But it's also spilled milk.

The question now is more about what they can do now. And the answer should be to build it up with enough talent that it could not only survive without Lamb, but possibly thrive without Lamb.

Of course, there's Jalen Tolbert. And only the Cowboys know what they've got there.

But let's be honest. If they thought Jalen Tolbert could be the answer, he likely would have seen the field at least a little bit more in 2022. And the stars just never aligned for Tolbert. I still like the possibility of Tolbert improving. And the same goes for Fehoko. But I just never saw enough from those guy to give me confidence. Although I did notice Fehoko getting open during games, and I just never saw that from Tolbert, unless I'm missing something, outside of preseason.

Also, when the press and fans were raving about Dennis Houston not only making the team, but cracking the starting lineup, that should have lit a fire under Tolbert to go take the job from Houston, who could also use the rookie excuse being that he was an UDFA trying to fight his way on the team.

That should have been the spark that catalyzed things for Tolbert.

It just never was.

And Fehoko has pretty much always been sort of the Miles Austin project.

So, how do you build your WR room for 2023?

I'd argue you account for at least three guys being in it. Cee Dee Lamb, and Noah Brown both played better than many thought they would, and I'd say Brown at least earned a shot to come back to camp next year to compete. Then there was Gallup who, I think, improves a lot next year.

Many have expressed they would rather see the Cowboys bring in new players rather than see Brown return. But how much can you rebuild in an off-season? It's good to have continuity and veteran guys with your team. And for the right price, I'd say Noah Brown should be part of this team next year, at the very least as a ST guy and #4 or 5 in your WR room.

But that leaves 3-4 roster spots open. Even if the team only keeps 5 WRs (not counting Turpin), that's two roster spots wide open at the receiver position.

Not only that. While we kind of know what we have with Cee Dee, Gallup, and Brown.

How much do we really know about Tolbert and Fehoko?

The other guy who was supposed to be in the mix last year, James Washington, got injured in camp. And once he worked his way back from injury, he never really contributed anything before he was ultimately cut, which doesn't bode well for his chances of coming back this year.

So the Cowboys have some work to do. Even if they only figure adding one WR through the draft, they need to be as sure as sure can be on the player they choose. I actually expect the chances are high that they'll take a wide receiver in round 1. There's not many players you're going to get outside of the first 40 picks who'll give your team a chance to make a playoff run if, Heaven forbid, something like an injury to Lamb were to happen. I would even argue you can justify taking two WRs in this draft.

But I'd be sure to get one you really like in round 1.

Not only that, the free agent market on wide receivers looks pretty thin, although it's not completely void of talent, so there's that.

Whatever they do, the talent they add should be a level of talent that can fit in with the guys we have now Lamb, Brown, Gallup, and Tolbert, and that talent should be someone with the ability to help us win games as a number 1 level of talent.

Adding top-notch wide receiver talent would be the most effective route to improving the team as much as possible to compete with the Eagles and 9ers next year.
Great post, I like it.:thumbup:

As for as WR, you are right, we got to upgrade that area of the team.

That is why I am expecting pick 26 to be a WR, that is the sweet spot for WRs in this draft (late 1st, early 2nd round).
 

America's Cowboy

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Cowboys definitely need to go after DJ Chark in free agency, only if he isn't too pricey.

If WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba falls into the 20s, Cowboys should go after him since the Cowboys have serious needs at WR.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba breakdown:


Highlights:

2021 Rose Bowl receiving record:


Complete College Career Highlights:


Jaxon Smith-Njigba might not be the tallest (6'1"), biggest (201 lbs) or fastest WR (4.48 40 time) in this year's draft, but he certainly is one of the best route runners, gains good separation, finds or creates the open hole, has excellent hands and can get very good YAC (yards after the catch)...Qualities in a receiver the Cowboys need to help Dak and this Offense. Plus, JSN grew up in Rockwall on the outskirts of Dallas, so he grew up a huge Cowboys fan and has recently let it be known that he would love to play for his hometown Dallas Cowboys.
 

cnuball21

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I’d settle for just assembling a league average WR room. What we trotted out last year was laughable.

If we want to be a serious contender you have to have 2 studs in todays game and multiple weapons.
 
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