Who are the starters? (third receiver edition)

[gimmesix]

It's possible that Dallas will draft a player who will become its third (or slot) receiver this year. But working off the premise that the Cowboys don't like to have any positions they absolutely are forced to fill in the draft, let's take a look at how the role might be filled from within.

Tony Pollard

Pollard's snap count ranged from just 2 percent in Week 4 to 36 percent in the last game of the season. In eight games, he played on 15 percent or less of the snaps and in five of those he was in on less than 10 percent. This is despite being pretty effective when he played (5.3 yards per carry). He received the low number of snaps because he was pretty much used strictly as a backup/relief for Elliott.

It isn't likely in that backup role that his snaps are going to increase much. Elliott is a workhorse back not a committee back. However, Pollard showed that he deserves more playing time by proving to be a better running back than expected. Where Pollard was expected to excel coming out of college was as a receiver coming out of the backfield. He only ended up with 15 receptions for 107 yards for Dallas.

The main thing Pollard would bring to the third receiver role is versatility. He could line up in the slot and motion into the backfield or vice versa. He'd be an excellent choice to run jet sweeps, reverses or bubble screens. The main question mark is whether his ability as a pure receiver is good enough to handle a receiver role. In college, a lot of his success was due to him being a back and motioning out to draw a safety or linebacker. That's an excellent matchup for a receiving back that isn't considered a deceptive or crisp route runner. However, when matched up with a nickel corner, the route running with matter a lot more.

He's my pick to get the role if Dallas doesn't draft a receiver early.

Jon'Vea Johnson

My dark horse is Johnson. Johnson was having an excellent training camp in many aspects. His speed and route running made him very difficult to cover and we were hearing his name all the time, with him standing out more than any other rookie and possibly receiver. However, when it came to the games, Johnson dropped his opportunities to win a roster spot. If he had not hurt his shoulder, it was questionable whether the Cowboys would have carried him on potential.

With Johnson, though, the potential seems to be really high. It seemed clear that his drops were the result of concentration issues rather than poor hands. His speed and explosiveness force defenses to respect him deep and allow him to create separation on his routes. He could end up being Dallas' latest undrafted gem, but his game needs to be polished (especially his concentration as speedy guys often look to run before they've secured the ball) and it's always possible that he'll never realize his potential.

The other in-house candidates are Devin Smith, Noah Brown, Ventell Bryant, Tevin Jones and Cedrick Wilson. Name and defend your choice.

 

[817Gill]

Thanks for taking the time my guy but Tony Pollard will 100% not be the slot WR. Being a part time slot/special teams ace at Memphis doesn’t qualify him to be a starting SWR in the NFL. Also, he’s clearly built like and built for a role as a running back, dude has great vision and burst; he’s a natural ball carrier. He offers versatility in the pass game and in certain packages but he’s going to play the same role he did last year; albeit with possibly more snaps and usage.

I like Johnson, if he can catch consistently he’s got a real chance. He was getting open no problem last preseason just got rattled and couldn’t hang on. He’s also a burner.

Still think we draft our starting WR3 in the first 3 rounds. Don’t discount Cedrick Wilson either, he looked solid.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Roster options are very very grim if we dont draft an immediate contributor, or make a trade or signing after the draft

 

[gimmesix]

Thanks for taking the time my guy but Tony Pollard will 100% not be the slot WR. Being a part time slot/special teams ace at Memphis doesn’t qualify him to be a starting SWR in the NFL. Also, he’s clearly built like and built for a role as a running back, dude has great vision and burst; he’s a natural ball carrier. He offers versatility in the pass game and in certain packages but he’s going to play the same role he did last year; albeit with possibly more snaps and usage.

I like Johnson, if he can catch consistently he’s got a real chance. He was getting open no problem last preseason just got rattled and couldn’t hang on. He’s also a burner.

Still think we draft our starting WR3 in the first 3 rounds. Don’t discount Cedrick Wilson either, he looked solid.

I just don't see Pollard getting many more opportunities as a running back. McCarthy already has said essentially that he plans to feed Zeke. Now, it's possible the role of relief is all Pollard will play. I do agree that there are certainly questions about his ability to go full receiver, but he deserves more use, I don't think he's going to get it in the backfield.

Wilson was my third choice, but might deserve more consideration than that. He can play all of the receiver positions and seems to have a natural feel for positioning. His main problem seems to be staying healthy.

 

[gimmesix]

Roster options are very very grim if we dont draft an immediate contributor, or make a trade or signing after the draft

I don't feel they are grim, just unknown, which leads to trepidation.

Can Pollard move to the slot and have the kind of success he was having as a back? I have no idea.

Can Jon'Vea Johnson turn that potential into more? I don't know.

I am always excited about the possibility of players developing like Miles Austin or Tony Romo did for us, but it's impossible to know if they will. However, even if we draft "an immediate contributor," there's the possibility that he won't be or that he'll fail completely. That's not a reason to not draft a receiver, but the draft isn't necessarily a cure-all.

Trading for one or picking up a veteran free agent could end up being the best choice, especially if the other possibilities fail.

My secret belief, which I guess is no longer a secret, is that Jon'Vea Johnson is going to turn out to be the next Victor Cruz (maybe Cruz-lite). I have no way to back that up, but it's what I feel.

 

[817Gill]

I just don't see Pollard getting many more opportunities as a running back. McCarthy already has said essentially that he plans to feed Zeke. Now, it's possible the role of relief is all Pollard will play. I do agree that there are certainly questions about his ability to go full receiver, but he deserves more use, I don't think he's going to get it in the backfield.

Wilson was my third choice, but might deserve more consideration than that. He can play all of the receiver positions and seems to have a natural feel for positioning. His main problem seems to be staying healthy.

Not as a running back traditionally, but if you look at how McCarthy likes to use the short passing game and take his comments about using 2 backs together, it looks like he’s planning to use Pollard as a receiver out of the backfield. We also saw how efficient runs with both Pollard and Zeke in the backfield were last year, I think Baldy had a breakdown on one.

Expect to see him catch a lot of bubble screens, screens in general, tosses/sweeps, zone blocking stuff. I think Mike wants both Zeke and TP to have more passing game responsibilities and thus more rotation, but not necessarily out of the slot in an offense where you are in 11 personnel (3 WR) most of the time.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I don't feel they are grim, just unknown, which leads to trepidation.

Can Pollard move to the slot and have the kind of success he was having as a back? I have no idea.

Can Jon'Vea Johnson turn that potential into more? I don't know.

I am always excited about the possibility of players developing like Miles Austin or Tony Romo did for us, but it's impossible to know if they will. However, even if we draft "an immediate contributor," there's the possibility that he won't be or that he'll fail completely. That's not a reason to not draft a receiver, but the draft isn't necessarily a cure-all.

Trading for one or picking up a veteran free agent could end up being the best choice, especially if the other possibilities fail.

My secret belief, which I guess is no longer a secret, is that Jon'Vea Johnson is going to turn out to be the next Victor Cruz (maybe Cruz-lite). I have no way to back that up, but it's what I feel.

Ive seen enough of Brown, Smith and Wilson to come to the opinion that they just wont cut it. Pollard could be used more in the slot, but not the 720 snaps and 85 targets we lost with Cobb. Johnson has obvious talent, but Im not counting on him for anything. Especially not this year. Its a huge leap to go from a player that didnt make the final roster to being a starter.

We need significant talent at the position

 

[gimmesix]

Not as a running back traditionally, but if you look at how McCarthy likes to use the short passing game and take his comments about using 2 backs together, it looks like he’s planning to use Pollard as a receiver out of the backfield. We also saw how efficient runs with both Pollard and Zeke in the backfield were last year, I think Baldy had a breakdown on one.

Expect to see him catch a lot of bubble screens, screens in general, tosses/sweeps, zone blocking stuff. I think Mike wants both Zeke and TP to have more passing game responsibilities and thus more rotation, but not necessarily out of the slot in an offense where you are in 11 personnel (3 WR) most of the time.

That could be essentially an alternative to the slot on some downs (two backs, one tight end, two receivers). It does create some stress for the defense because coordinators have to figure out whether to play nickel against the lineup or base. I would not have trouble with that alignment being used to get both players on the field ... and really was part of what I meant initially. Pollard will absorb some of the slot snaps.

I do think if we don't draft or sign a slot replacement for Cobb that there is a good possibility that we actually see several players filling the role. Pollard like this, maybe Wilson at times, maybe Johnson if he develops. There is a lot of mixing and matching that can be done.

 

[gimmesix]

Ive seen enough of Brown, Smith and Wilson to come to the opinion that they just wont cut it. Pollard could be used more in the slot, but not the 720 snaps and 85 targets we lost with Cobb. Johnson has obvious talent, but Im not counting on him for anything. Especially not this year. Its a huge leap to go from a player that didnt make the final roster to being a starter.

We need significant talent at the position

I agree on Brown. I'm not sure on Wilson or Smith as there have been moments for both. Pollard definitely should receive more snaps and Johnson is a wait-and-see.

 

[Risen Star]

It's possible that Dallas will draft a player who will become its third (or slot) receiver this year. But working off the premise that the Cowboys don't like to have any positions they absolutely are forced to fill in the draft, let's take a look at how the role might be filled from within.

Tony Pollard

Say no more.

 

[ItzKelz]

Pollard could become MMs Cowboys version of Randall Cobb.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

With Cooper on the outside drawing double cover, Pollard in the slot will most likely draw a LB. And Pollard against a LB is a win for Dallas. If a team puts a safety on Pollard in the slot then one of our WR will have single coverage. So putting Pollard in slot at times will put opposing defenses in a bad situation. That's why I like the idea of him being part of the slot rotation. The same with Jarwin and Cooper, I think all three of those guys will be hard to cover in the slot.

 

[gimmesix]

Say no more.

But I had a lot more to say.

 

[gimmesix]

With Cooper on the outside drawing double cover, Pollard in the slot will most likely draw a LB. And Pollard against a LB is a win for Dallas. If a team puts a safety on Pollard in the slot then one of our WR will have single coverage. So putting Pollard in slot at times will put opposing defenses in a bad situation. That's why I like the idea of him being part of the slot rotation. The same with Jarwin and Cooper, I think all three of those guys will be hard to cover in the slot.

Depends on the defensive alignment. If the defense is playing nickel, then he would draw a corner. Moving him in and out of the backfield, though, forces the DC to choose whether he wants to use nickel to keep from having him one-on-one with a safety or linebacker or base to stop the run possibilities.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

Depends on the defensive alignment. If the defense is playing nickel, then he would draw a corner. Moving him in and out of the backfield, though, forces the DC to choose whether he wants to use nickel to keep from having him one-on-one with a safety or linebacker or base to stop the run possibilities.

Imagine putting Pollard out wide and Cooper in the slot. Creating mismatches is the name of the game. We have the personnel to do it, but do we have the coaching now?

 

[cowboyec]

Devin Smith or Cedrick Wilson.

 

[gimmesix]

Imagine putting Pollard out wide and Cooper in the slot. Creating mismatches is the name of the game. We have the personnel to do it, but do we have the coaching now?

One of the reasons McCarthy kept Kellen Moore is that he liked all the motion that he added to the offense. It will be interesting to see what they do with it this year. Pollard is a move player IMO who creates lots of options.

 

[gimmesix]

Devin Smith or Cedrick Wilson.

I'm not as high on Devin Smith as some are. He's a speed player who seems to rely on that speed to win battles. Once the defense accounts for his speed, he doesn't seem to have any real counter to offer. Of course, this is going off really a limited body of work as a pro, so he could prove that assessment to be wrong. And I'd love it if he does.

Wilson doesn't have that kind of speed/burst so he has to have more precision with his route running to gain separation. The question with him is is that enough.

Both players have been held back by health, though, so maybe we'll see them stay healthy and step up their game.

 

[Kwyn]

It's possible that Dallas will draft a player who will become its third (or slot) receiver this year. But working off the premise that the Cowboys don't like to have any positions they absolutely are forced to fill in the draft, let's take a look at how the role might be filled from within.

Tony Pollard

Pollard's snap count ranged from just 2 percent in Week 4 to 36 percent in the last game of the season. In eight games, he played on 15 percent or less of the snaps and in five of those he was in on less than 10 percent. This is despite being pretty effective when he played (5.3 yards per carry). He received the low number of snaps because he was pretty much used strictly as a backup/relief for Elliott.

It isn't likely in that backup role that his snaps are going to increase much. Elliott is a workhorse back not a committee back. However, Pollard showed that he deserves more playing time by proving to be a better running back than expected. Where Pollard was expected to excel coming out of college was as a receiver coming out of the backfield. He only ended up with 15 receptions for 107 yards for Dallas.

The main thing Pollard would bring to the third receiver role is versatility. He could line up in the slot and motion into the backfield or vice versa. He'd be an excellent choice to run jet sweeps, reverses or bubble screens. The main question mark is whether his ability as a pure receiver is good enough to handle a receiver role. In college, a lot of his success was due to him being a back and motioning out to draw a safety or linebacker. That's an excellent matchup for a receiving back that isn't considered a deceptive or crisp route runner. However, when matched up with a nickel corner, the route running with matter a lot more.

He's my pick to get the role if Dallas doesn't draft a receiver early.

Jon'Vea Johnson

My dark horse is Johnson. Johnson was having an excellent training camp in many aspects. His speed and route running made him very difficult to cover and we were hearing his name all the time, with him standing out more than any other rookie and possibly receiver. However, when it came to the games, Johnson dropped his opportunities to win a roster spot. If he had not hurt his shoulder, it was questionable whether the Cowboys would have carried him on potential.

With Johnson, though, the potential seems to be really high. It seemed clear that his drops were the result of concentration issues rather than poor hands. His speed and explosiveness force defenses to respect him deep and allow him to create separation on his routes. He could end up being Dallas' latest undrafted gem, but his game needs to be polished (especially his concentration as speedy guys often look to run before they've secured the ball) and it's always possible that he'll never realize his potential.

The other in-house candidates are Devin Smith, Noah Brown, Ventell Bryant, Tevin Jones and Cedrick Wilson. Name and defend your choice.

I had to double check the title and thread twice before I was able to understand this was legit.

Zero chance of Pollard being our starting 3rd WR

Johnson has a good offseason last year but wasn’t good on the field.

the Cowboys have already interviewed Mimms, Reagor and Higgins, all projected to be late first or 2nd round picks. That’s 3 of their 10 interviews so far so clearly they seem to be looking at the position.

I want defense with 17 and 51, so I’m thinking the Cowboys should draft for the third WR in the third or fourth round .

I would love to see Claypool out of Notre Dame come to us in the third. He can play special teams as well and is pretty fast. He’s really rough though and there would be some growing pains for sure

Another who might slide to the 3rd round is Edwards from South Carolina. He can catch the ball over the middle and Dak, like most QB’s loves to have that safety valve

My pick for a late third or early fourth is KJ Hill from Ohio State. This is who I want.

He’s one of those guys who always manages to be open for his QB. He’s quick but not fast. he’s not explosive but he’d be a great guy to give Dak a reliable option when things go sideways

He was a team captain for the Buckeyes and led the team in receptions. He caught a pass in 49 straight games which is a school record. He also returned punts the last three years. He’s a possession receiver who runs good routes.

Would love to see him on the Cowboys

 

[jterrell]

I just don't see Pollard getting many more opportunities as a running back. McCarthy already has said essentially that he plans to feed Zeke. Now, it's possible the role of relief is all Pollard will play. I do agree that there are certainly questions about his ability to go full receiver, but he deserves more use, I don't think he's going to get it in the backfield.

Wilson was my third choice, but might deserve more consideration than that. He can play all of the receiver positions and seems to have a natural feel for positioning. His main problem seems to be staying healthy.

I am with you here.
I think Pollard gets what were Tavon Austin's snaps plus back up RB snaps.
And I think they add a RB who can fill in when Zeke or Pollard are dinged or tired as a pure RB back up with special teams duty.