Starters: Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Randall Cobb
Contenders: Tavon Austin, Allen Hurns, Noah Brown, Cedrick Wilson, Lance Lenoir, Devin Smith, Reggie Davis, Jalen Guyton, Jon'Vea Johnson
The only absolutes at this position appear to be the top three. Amari Cooper proved to be the receiver we've needed ever since Dez Bryant started to be hampered by injuries. Cooper's game relies on speed and route-running, two things he excels at (while Bryant relied on being physically able to outmuscle and outjump defenders). Michael Gallup also is a very good route runner, which helps him to get open on the short routes and deep. Both of these players create good separation, which is needed because Dak Prescott doesn't like throwing jump balls. Prescott and Gallup need to get on the same page, though, on the deep throws. Gallup has the ability to high point the ball, but more important are the throws where he got behind the defense and they just misconnected. Both Cooper and Gallup have some run-after-the catch ability.
Randall Cobb also is a good route runner who runs well after the catch. The main question with him is whether his injury issues have taken too much of a toll. He isn't as quick as Beasley, but if fully recovered, has the route skills to work the underneath from the slot or the even make plays downfield, which is not something Beasley did well.
Tavon Austin probably has a job this year as the primary punt returner and the jet sweep player. When he was healthy, he did both of those jobs well last year, but health is definitely a concern. The development of Tony Pollard will determine how long Austin stays on the roster. If Pollard shows a proficiency for returning punts, he could take on the jet sweep role as a more natural running back with receiver skills.
The Dallas brought in Allen Hurns to essentially be the replacement for Bryant last year and the attempt failed. The Cowboys were spouting receiver by committee, but it was clear if you followed the money that Hurns and Beasley were considered the top dogs. Hurns is a good possession receiver, but wasn't up to that task, which is why Dallas got Cooper. Hurns always was surpassed by Gallup, which makes his roster spot, especially at $6 million this year, tenuous at best ... especially if Cobb returns to form since he can play the outside receiver spots if needed. Hurns is a good locker room presence and still an OK receiver (assuming the broken ankle doesn't slow him down more), but the price is greater than the production.
Dallas seems to like using Noah Brown as a blocker who can make an occasional catch, so it's possible that he has a role unless someone else shows they can block and do more as a receiver. That could be Cedrick Wilson, who was catching on quickly to all the receiver roles before being hurt last preseason. I'm not sure what to expect from him.
The two UDFA receivers, Jalen Guyton and Jon'Vea Johnson, have exceptional speed but are a little raw. Guyton reminds me a lot of Miles Austin, though. I think they both have a better shot at making the roster than Lance Lenoir, Reggie Davis and Devin Smith, although Smith is intriguing as a former high draft pick who has struggled with injuries.
The depth can go a lot of ways depending on who steps up.
ROSTER PREDICTION: Hurns is gone because of cost, and I think we'll keep six — Cooper, Gallup, Cobb, Austin, Wilson and Guyton — while Johnson and possibly Smith will go on the practice squad. I'm not fully counting out Brown or Smith forcing us to keep a seventh or bumping Guyton to the practice squad if he doesn't show that Austin-like potential.
