News: The Cowboys Wide Receiver battle that’s off the radar

[CCBoy]

The Cowboys Wide Receiver battle that’s off the radar
http://thelandryhat.com/2016/05/11/cowboys-wide-receiver-battle/

Due to an influx of talented undrafted rookie free agents, the Dallas Cowboys battles at the wide receiver position will be interesting this offseason.

The Dallas Cowboys’ three day rookie mini-camp is in the books. While it’s okay to question some of their draft day decisions, Cowboy Nation should be happy with the new players attempting to make the roster.

Like an ice cube tray, the roster has a fixed number of places. To determine who stays or goes, I like to look at player overlap and I see one battle that isn’t talked about much.

A few years ago, wide receiver Dez Bryant was injured and the outside receiver role went to current New York Giant Dwayne Harris. It seemed that a battle for the slot position was occurring between Harris, drafted in the sixth round by the Cowboys and undrafted free agent Cole Beasley.

Eventually, the Cowboys drafted Terrence Williams and gifted him the number two receiver spot. They allowed Harris to leave in free agency and awarded Beasley with a 4 year, $13.6 million dollar contract with a $4 million dollar signing bonus.

I understand that Beasley is a fan favorite and he’s productive on the field, but perhaps the front office acted too soon. With last year’s horrific backup quarterback play – with the exception of Kellen Moore – Beasley contributed 52 receptions on 75 targets for 536 yards and 5 touchdowns. All of these numbers are career highs and Bryant wasn’t on the field to grab the attention of opposing defenses.

Now Lucky Whitehead has a year under his belt and I expect him to have a bigger role in the offense. Mainly, any catch on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage would be huge. Whitehead had 6 receptions for 16 yards. It would be a stretch to ask him to replace Beasley’s numbers, but it’s possible for him to fill Beasley’s role if he’s did his off-season homework...

 

[FaSho]

I highly doubt he'll take Beasley's job, or even compete for it. Beasley is a good slot WR, and effective at his job. Lucky's hope to make the team is as a returner/gadget player.

 

[jazzcat22]

Whitehead will need to improve his WR skills a lot this year. As well, continue to improve his return skills. I do not think his spot is solidified. He made great progress last year as the season went on. But I think if we were truly competitive for winning the division, would he have been out there in the more critical situations. Though I did like the way he improved.

But now, and I don't know if they can returns kicks or punts, there is Brown and Jones competing for WR spots. Darius Jackson will be tried as a return man. And DMC can also return kicks if another steps up to return punts. Also depends if they keep 6 WR, which I do not think they do, because of the DL issues, needing a pass rusher to emerge.
Also can the draft pick brown, the CB return kicks or punts. Don't rule out a fast DB for these duties. Mo has even returned punts in college.

 

[Stash]

I think that there is one possible battle for a starting job, and that's between Terrance Wilkiams and Bryce Butler. I think that if Williams continues to look inconsistant and Butler turns potential into productivity, that he could conceivably pass him for that #2 receiver role.

Other than that, the only other battle will be between Devin Street and the undrafted free agents for a roster spot.

Given the numbers they're likely to keep at quarterback, running back, and tight end, I expect the team to keep only 5 wide receivers this year.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think that there is one possible battle for a starting job, and that's between Terrance Wilkiams and Bryce Butler. I think that if Williams continues to look inconsistant and Butler turns potential into productivity, that he could conceivably pass him for that #2 receiver role.

Other than that, the only other battle will be between Devin Street and the undrafted free agents for a roster spot.

Given the numbers they're likely to keep at quarterback, running back, and tight end, I expect the team to keep only 5 wide receivers this year.

If Butler doesn't over take TWill at the start of the season, he may by the end of the season. But this will be an interesting TC competition. I also agree, I think Brown and Jones will push for Street's spot, and possibly Whitehead, depending if anyone challenges his return duties. I just can't see them keeping 6 WR's either, not with all the unknowns on the DL...not unknowns in names, but unknowns on how they will play, who emerges. If any.

 

[Doc50]

I think that there is one possible battle for a starting job, and that's between Terrance Wilkiams and Bryce Butler. I think that if Williams continues to look inconsistant and Butler turns potential into productivity, that he could conceivably pass him for that #2 receiver role.

Other than that, the only other battle will be between Devin Street and the undrafted free agents for a roster spot.

Given the numbers they're likely to keep at quarterback, running back, and tight end, I expect the team to keep only 5 wide receivers this year.

Right, and we'll probably have 2 WR on the PS.

We deserve better injury luck this year, but you never know. I keep thinking Beasley and Lucky are gonna get squashed like grapes.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Perhaps it is off the radar because it should not be on the radar. Cole is pretty good slot receiver when Romo is actually there to throw him the football and Dez is commanding double teams.

 

[dfense]

Whitehead is like 94 lbs. A full healthy season would be a gift.

 

[Bowdown27]

Honestly I think the kid from nd may beat out street and make the team. Whitehead idk bout honestly. Can be dez twill Brice Cole and brown come opening day

 

[Denim Chicken]

Like an ice cube tray, the roster has a fixed number of places.

This guy has a way with the metaphor.

 

[speedkilz88]

 

[CATCH17]

Whitehead showed some things as a rookie. He'll be a player to keep an eye on and see if he makes another jump forward as a return guy and on Offense.

 

[Denim Chicken]

They didn't mention it when discussing Lucky's stats, but we liked to run the reverse play / screen with him and it was working fairly well. He was averaging over 10 yards 'rushing'.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Whitehead is like 94 lbs. A full healthy season would be a gift.

He has added 10-15 lbs of muscle in the offseason. If you haven't seen him you might be surprised. And next to Beasley, he looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I expect the WR's to be Bryant, Williams, Butler, Beasley and Whitehead. I really don't see much chance outside of injury that it will be any different than that.

 

[LittleD]

Whitehead is like 94 lbs. A full healthy season would be a gift.

I think you have it wrong. On DC.com they said that Whitehead has totally transformed his body and has added a solid
10 pounds of muscle. He looks totally different and ready to compete for a job.

 

[Sydla]

Landry Hat tends to go a bit overboard in their homerism. I'd be surprised if 3 rookies supplanted three guys at WR.

 

[CCBoy]

Landry Hat tends to go a bit overboard in their homerism. I'd be surprised if 3 rookies supplanted three guys at WR.

Landry Hat tends to go a bit overboard in their homerism. I'd be surprised if 3 rookies supplanted three guys at WR.

Homerism?

 

[Stash]

If Butler doesn't over take TWill at the start of the season, he may by the end of the season. But this will be an interesting TC competition. I also agree, I think Brown and Jones will push for Street's spot, and possibly Whitehead, depending if anyone challenges his return duties. I just can't see them keeping 6 WR's either, not with all the unknowns on the DL...not unknowns in names, but unknowns on how they will play, who emerges. If any.

To say nothing of the numbers being talked about at quarterback, running back, and tight end.

 

[Spectre]

Whitehead > Beasley

 

[AbeBeta]

Whitehead is a guy who you need to do creative things with to get him the ball. Beasley is a nice, slippery slot guy who fills a specific offensive role. Lucky's best shot is working on his blocking to establish a role like we had for Harris