CFZ Rank the Cowboys offensive weapons on playmaking ability

[Bobhaze]

There’s a Football 101 philosophy that apparently is forgotten too often in Big D- get the ball in the hands of your best playmakers as often as possible and in positions where they can succeed.

The best offensive minds in this game make that a guiding principle.

So with that in mind, how would you rank the Cowboys offensive weapons based on their ability to make big plays? Here’s my list based on recent performance and some potential growth and upside for some players.

1. Cedee Lamb- has consistently had the best yards after catch (YAC) on the team and even though he doesn’t have blazing speed, he can make defenders miss. He can take a short route and turn it into a TD at any moment. Just turned 23 so there’s lots of upside. Needs to improve drops but should be getting a minimum of 10 targets a game and perhaps mix in more gadget runs.
2. Tony Pollard- is clearly the best big play RB we have. He had 130 carries last year and averaged 5.5 yds per carry. He also had 39 receptions, creating 169 touches last year. In each of his 3 seasons, he has multiple TDs of 40+ yds- something Zeke hasn’t done since 2018. He is also a decent receiver who can be utilized creatively in the passing game. He should be getting 12-15 touches per game. He just turned 25 and still has some upside.
   
3. Michael Gallup- has most often been the Cowboys deep threat option, averaging 15 yds per reception over his 4 year career. He has had multiple 50 yard + receptions each year he’s played. Injuries have tainted his output lately, but he’s still clearly a big play weapon. And he just turned 26 and still has upside.
   
   
4. Zeke Elliott- From 2016-2018, Zeke was the #1 playmaker on this team. But the toll of 2,588 total touches from college to now along with a knee injury last year has made him a step slower. He still is a very effective power runner and excellent pass blocker. But he can no longer be considered a big play threat as he once was. In the last 3 years, he’s only had one run over 40 yards. His first 3 years he had 7. Zeke still has something left but he needs to be used LESS, because he’s not the weapon he once was.

Some other potential weapons include Dalton Schultz, rookie WR Jalen Tolbert (I expect him to join this list soon) and perhaps new FA WR James Washington.

How would you rank our offensive weapons based on playmaking ability?

 

[LittleD]

There’s a Football 101 philosophy that apparently is forgotten too often in Big D- get the ball in the hands of your best playmakers as often as possible and in positions where they can succeed.

The best offensive minds in this game make that a guiding principle.

So with that in mind, how would you rank the Cowboys offensive weapons based on their ability to make big plays? Here’s my list based on recent performance and some potential growth and upside for some players.

1. Cedee Lamb- has consistently had the best yards after catch (YAC) on the team and even though he doesn’t have blazing speed, he can make defenders miss. He can take a short route and turn it into a TD at any moment. Just turned 23 so there’s lots of upside. Needs to improve drops but should be getting a minimum of 10 targets a game and perhaps mix in more gadget runs.
2. Tony Pollard- is clearly the best big play RB we have. He had 130 carries last year and averaged 5.5 yds per carry. He also had 39 receptions, creating 169 touches last year. In each of his 3 seasons, he has multiple TDs of 40+ yds- something Zeke hasn’t done since 2018. He is also a decent receiver who can be utilized creatively in the passing game. He should be getting 12-15 touches per game. He just turned 25 and still has some upside.
   
3. Michael Gallup- has most often been the Cowboys deep threat option, averaging 15 yds per reception over his 4 year career. He has had multiple 50 yard + receptions each year he’s played. Injuries have tainted his output lately, but he’s still clearly a big play weapon. And he just turned 26 and still has upside.
   
   
4. Zeke Elliott- From 2016-2018, Zeke was the #1 playmaker on this team. But the toll of 2,588 total touches from college to now along with a knee injury last year has made him a step slower. He still is a very effective power runner and excellent pass blocker. But he can no longer be considered a big play threat as he once was. In the last 3 years, he’s only had one run over 40 yards. His first 3 years he had 7. Zeke still has something left but he needs to be used LESS, because he’s not the weapon he once was.

Some other potential weapons include Dalton Schultz, rookie WR Jalen Tolbert (I expect him to join this list soon) and perhaps new FA WR James Washington.

How would you rank our offensive weapons based on playmaking ability?

Cedee Rank = 2
Tony Pollard Rank = 3
Michael Gallup Rank = 3
Zeke Rank = 5
Dak Rank = 3
Dalton Schultz Rank = 2

 

[CWR]

Cedee Rank = 2
Tony Pollard Rank = 3
Michael Gallup Rank = 3
Zeke Rank = 5
Dak Rank = 3
Dalton Schultz Rank = 2

Schultz doesn't have the play making abilities of TP. He just gets afforded a lot more opportunities. Reflex is to make CD 1, but Pollard is our biggest play maker imo. I hope they don't waste him so much this season.

 

[john van brocklin]

There’s a Football 101 philosophy that apparently is forgotten too often in Big D- get the ball in the hands of your best playmakers as often as possible and in positions where they can succeed.

The best offensive minds in this game make that a guiding principle.

So with that in mind, how would you rank the Cowboys offensive weapons based on their ability to make big plays? Here’s my list based on recent performance and some potential growth and upside for some players.

1. Cedee Lamb- has consistently had the best yards after catch (YAC) on the team and even though he doesn’t have blazing speed, he can make defenders miss. He can take a short route and turn it into a TD at any moment. Just turned 23 so there’s lots of upside. Needs to improve drops but should be getting a minimum of 10 targets a game and perhaps mix in more gadget runs.
2. Tony Pollard- is clearly the best big play RB we have. He had 130 carries last year and averaged 5.5 yds per carry. He also had 39 receptions, creating 169 touches last year. In each of his 3 seasons, he has multiple TDs of 40+ yds- something Zeke hasn’t done since 2018. He is also a decent receiver who can be utilized creatively in the passing game. He should be getting 12-15 touches per game. He just turned 25 and still has some upside.
   
3. Michael Gallup- has most often been the Cowboys deep threat option, averaging 15 yds per reception over his 4 year career. He has had multiple 50 yard + receptions each year he’s played. Injuries have tainted his output lately, but he’s still clearly a big play weapon. And he just turned 26 and still has upside.
   
   
4. Zeke Elliott- From 2016-2018, Zeke was the #1 playmaker on this team. But the toll of 2,588 total touches from college to now along with a knee injury last year has made him a step slower. He still is a very effective power runner and excellent pass blocker. But he can no longer be considered a big play threat as he once was. In the last 3 years, he’s only had one run over 40 yards. His first 3 years he had 7. Zeke still has something left but he needs to be used LESS, because he’s not the weapon he once was.

Some other potential weapons include Dalton Schultz, rookie WR Jalen Tolbert (I expect him to join this list soon) and perhaps new FA WR James Washington.

How would you rank our offensive weapons based on playmaking ability?

Pollard. = Debo
Make it happen OC Moore

 

[Bobhaze]

Cedee Rank = 2
Tony Pollard Rank = 3
Michael Gallup Rank = 3
Zeke Rank = 5
Dak Rank = 3
Dalton Schultz Rank = 2

I was hoping to see them ranked 1-5 or something like that. Not sure I understand your system here. Help me out.

 

[CouchCoach]

The player that must top that list, Prescott, is not on it.

When he was at his best, hardest to defend, was when he made plays with his feet. That is the hardest play to defend in the NFL which is why Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Herbert, Murray and Wilson are so effective. Jackson is in another realm as a running QB but he is not as consistently accurate as the other QB’s.

They tried to make him a pocket QB and that didn’t work against the better teams. Make him a dual threat again and that lifts all the weapons.

 

[Creeper]

Playmakers are guys who make big plays when the team needs them most. Deebo Samuel is a playmaker, for example. Kittle is also a playmaker.

The only potential playmaker I have seen on the Cowboys offense is Pollard, barley, but they do not use him enough so maybe he does not qualify. Maybe CeeDee has that potential but I wonder what he will look like without Cooper?

 

[jazzcat22]

Fix the OL and possibly replace Moore or he needs to change some in his play calling. The Dak gets in his game, then Zeke becomes #1 on that list along with CeeDee .
They all need to work as a trio.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

1. T. Pollard
2. D. Prescott
3. C. Lamb
4. M. Gallup
5. J. Tolbert

 

[BAT]

CeeDee needs to be #1.

 

[Hawkeye19]

CeeDee needs to be #1.

He has put up some numbers. Imagine if he cured the dropsies?

 

[jazzcat22]

I don't have a problem with this too much. Does CeeDee need to be higher, probably.
But give McLaurin a legit QB, he could be #1 easily as CeeDee. AJ Brown is good, but is he really #1. Matter of opinion.
However, Diggs and the Dallas defense did pretty much shut down McLaurin twice. So is that really on him or the QB. That debate goes on.
AJ Brown had a better QB in Tannenhill than he will have in Hurts.

As to the list above a few posts.

 

[CowboyRoy]

There’s a Football 101 philosophy that apparently is forgotten too often in Big D- get the ball in the hands of your best playmakers as often as possible and in positions where they can succeed.

The best offensive minds in this game make that a guiding principle.

So with that in mind, how would you rank the Cowboys offensive weapons based on their ability to make big plays? Here’s my list based on recent performance and some potential growth and upside for some players.

1. Cedee Lamb- has consistently had the best yards after catch (YAC) on the team and even though he doesn’t have blazing speed, he can make defenders miss. He can take a short route and turn it into a TD at any moment. Just turned 23 so there’s lots of upside. Needs to improve drops but should be getting a minimum of 10 targets a game and perhaps mix in more gadget runs.
2. Tony Pollard- is clearly the best big play RB we have. He had 130 carries last year and averaged 5.5 yds per carry. He also had 39 receptions, creating 169 touches last year. In each of his 3 seasons, he has multiple TDs of 40+ yds- something Zeke hasn’t done since 2018. He is also a decent receiver who can be utilized creatively in the passing game. He should be getting 12-15 touches per game. He just turned 25 and still has some upside.
   
3. Michael Gallup- has most often been the Cowboys deep threat option, averaging 15 yds per reception over his 4 year career. He has had multiple 50 yard + receptions each year he’s played. Injuries have tainted his output lately, but he’s still clearly a big play weapon. And he just turned 26 and still has upside.
   
   
4. Zeke Elliott- From 2016-2018, Zeke was the #1 playmaker on this team. But the toll of 2,588 total touches from college to now along with a knee injury last year has made him a step slower. He still is a very effective power runner and excellent pass blocker. But he can no longer be considered a big play threat as he once was. In the last 3 years, he’s only had one run over 40 yards. His first 3 years he had 7. Zeke still has something left but he needs to be used LESS, because he’s not the weapon he once was.

Some other potential weapons include Dalton Schultz, rookie WR Jalen Tolbert (I expect him to join this list soon) and perhaps new FA WR James Washington.

How would you rank our offensive weapons based on playmaking ability?

I might put Pollard at #1. So sad that someone that is either 1 or 2 best playmaker is barely used and the worst play maker on offense is featured. Horrible coaching.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

CeeDee needs to be #1.

But that’s just Cowboys history. AJ Brown had 1507 yards in his first 22 games. Terry Mclaurin had 1611

 

[BAT]

Jalen Hurts is also Brown's QB now.

And CeeDee broke WR franchise records as the #2 receiver, his role will be #1 next season.

But that’s just Cowboys history. AJ Brown had 1507 yards in his first 22 games. Terry Mclaurin had 1611

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Jalen Hurts is also Brown's QB now.

And CeeDee broke WR franchise records as the #2 receiver, his role will be #1 next season.

Terry has never had a real QB, even on Carson’s level, and Brown has only played on a team that force fed a 2000 yard rb. Last year Dallas was fifth in pass attempts, Tennessee 26th. The year before, even with Dak injured, you were 2nd in pass attempts, Tennessee 30th.

CeeDee breaking franchise records as a #2 shows as much about how Dallas Cowboys rookies have done previous as much as it does about CeeDee. They’re all still young, we’ll see how it plays out.

 

[jazzcat22]

Terry has never had a real QB, even on Carson’s level, and Brown has only played on a team that force fed a 2000 yard rb. Last year Dallas was fifth in pass attempts, Tennessee 26th. The year before, even with Dak injured, you were 2nd in pass attempts, Tennessee 30th.

CeeDee breaking franchise records as a #2 shows as much about how Dallas Cowboys rookies have done previous as much as it does about CeeDee. They’re all still young, we’ll see how it plays out.

Thanks for reminding us we have a stupid pass happy OC.

 

[LittleD]

Pollard. = Debo
Make it happen OC Moore

No way Pollard can take the Debo punishment.

 

[LittleD]

I was hoping to see them ranked 1-5 or something like that. Not sure I understand your system here. Help me out.

I was using the 1-10 ranking system. You didn't specify so I just made one up.

 

[Bobhaze]

The player that must top that list, Prescott, is not on it.

When he was at his best, hardest to defend, was when he made plays with his feet. That is the hardest play to defend in the NFL which is why Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Herbert, Murray and Wilson are so effective. Jackson is in another realm as a running QB but he is not as consistently accurate as the other QB’s.

They tried to make him a pocket QB and that didn’t work against the better teams. Make him a dual threat again and that lifts all the weapons.

Good point. I should have included Dak. I was thinking only about guys on the receiving end of handoffs and passes but the QB is also a playmaker. And in Dak’s case he’s not maximizing his potential if he’s not using his wheels more to run. I realize he may be tackle shy after that gruesome injury but even taking off a couple of times a game out of the pocket would make the defense a little more honest.