WR is going to be an interesting battle

[Galian Beast]

I think we all were excited about a few prospects last year in training camp, but ultimately no one made the roster after Harris and Street.

First thing to note is how high people seem to be on Street. I wasn't impressed with him what the snaps he got during the season, but these were a pretty small sample size. I think with Dez out of OTAs he has a real opportunity to shine. I hope that we get to see what people are so excited about.

But that brings me to this WR battle, the battle for a 5th and maybe even a 6th spot (though I'm not sure how likely that is).

I think the player who can be most valuable in the return game will help themselves the most, but there are a lot of guys to be excited for (especially when they dropped last year's "winner" in boyd right off the bat).

Those two points brings me to an unheralded player who isn't quite new. WR Reggie Dunn, who was added to the practice squad in september last year. If we kept a 6th guy specifically for kick returns, I think it would be this kid.

But there are a lot of players who are vying for spots here that I think a lot of us are excited about.

- George Farmer, 6-1 220
- Antwan Goodley, 5-11 220
- Deontay Greenberry, 6-3 200
- Nick Harwell, 6-1 193
- AJ Jenkins, 6-0 200
- Lucky Whitehead 5-10 163(180)?

I'm excited about Farmer given how highly touted he was coming out of high school, but I don't know if that's going to mean anything for him here. The Cowboys gave him a big UDFA bonus, but I think he is behind the gun.

AJ Jenkins similarly to Farmer obviously has the pedigree, but has also failed on not one but two teams. He was traded for another 1st round bust in Jon Baldwin. I just don't think you can count these players out. Sometimes all it takes is the right system, scheme, and players around you to turn your career around. We saw it with Laurent Robinson who played for the Falcons, Rams (and was on San Diego during training camp) and never amounted to anything. In 4 years he had 4 touchdowns and only 89 catches. You kind of want to see players like this given time and opportunities.

I'll admit I'm not enamored with Goodley, he seems like a fast guy that has never really developed as a rounded receiver. I'd love to add some real speed to this offense, but I still want a player who will reliably catch the ball.

Greenberry is another guy who I don't think has a real future here. Scouting report notes that he was tied for second in FBS with 11 drops, and notes that he struggled to make contest catches... in college... Going to be even worse in the NFL. A possession receiver who doesn't have great speed or hands or route running....

Not expecting much out of Nick Harwell either.

Whitehead I'm more excited about. I think he has the speed, and is adding the strength. I think he has a lot of potential, and could fill a lot of roles in the 5th corner spot. Could be a return man and give us a speed element in the future.

So for those WR spots I'd say I'm rooting for

1. George Farmer
2. AJ Jenkins
3. Lucky Whitehead
4. Reggie Dunn

I think Farmer will almost certainly need the practice squad. I think Jenkins is going to have to really perform well to stick around. I think ultimately Whitehead comes out as the 5th corner, and if we keep a 6th it would be Dunn. Not sure if we're going to be able to sneak Farmer onto the PS. Some team without WR depth would probably pick him up.

 

[Galian Beast]

Machota has a lot of great comments from Dooley

"Terrance Williams is getting better every day. He's so comfortable that he's starting to play fast, play with more creativity."

"We brought in AJ Jenkins for experience and to add depth, competition to the wide receiver room."

"Devin Street's lack of playing time wasn't a result of what he couldn't do. Other WRs were performing. He was ready when needed."

 

[Szczepanik]

Whitehead will beat out Jenkins.

 

[windjc]

Goodley has good hands, I am not sure why you insinuate otherwise. Being a good receiver is about getting separation. This is what Goodley excelled at in college and what he also did in the minicamp. Beasley got separation as a rookie and now has a multi million dollar contract.

The knock on Farmer has been, that despite the measureables, he doesn't get separation. I will be surprised if he makes the team. The ONLY way Whitehead makes the team is if he wins the returner spot. And he will have competition for sure. He will have to win it outright as he will be on the 53 just for special teams. Unless he just completely beats our Beasley, as that is whose position he plays. A.J. Jenkins is a total flier. Didn't even know Reggie Dunn existed.

 

[benson]

Not that interesting if you ask me. The 1,2and 3 on the WR depth chart are locked and Jason Witten is another locked position. Essentially the top 4 passing options are locked.

 

[JBell]

Not that interesting if you ask me. The 1,2and 3 on the WR depth chart are locked and Jason Witten is another locked position. Essentially the top 4 passing options are locked.

The WR battle will be about as interesting as the battle for the third TE spot.

Does 7th round draft pick Geoff Swaim edge out James Hanna? Stay tuned.

 

[Tabascocat]

Not that interesting if you ask me. The 1,2and 3 on the WR depth chart are locked and Jason Witten is another locked position. Essentially the top 4 passing options are locked.

Agree, once we get past Dez, TWill and the Bease.....it will come down to who plays ST's the best. Anyone else will not see much action if the receiving core stays injury free. I expect Street to make it, so that makes the WR battle that much less interesting.

Now, the FB battle will be a donnybrook

 

[guag]

I like to think that I follow the Dallas Cowboys pretty closely, but I have no idea who this Reggie Dunn is. But if you think he'd be our 6th receiver (if we kept that many, which I doubt we will), maybe I need to look into him more.

 

[Galian Beast]

I like to think that I follow the Dallas Cowboys pretty closely, but I have no idea who this Reggie Dunn is. But if you think he'd be our 6th receiver (if we kept that many, which I doubt we will), maybe I need to look into him more.

Let me tell you a little bit about Reggie Dunn.

At Utah, he set the NCAA record for kick returns for touchdown in a single season, with 4, the career record for career 100 yard kick returns with 5 and the record for 100 yard kick returns in a game which he had 2.

He ran a 4.22 40.

I'm not saying he definitely makes the team or anything, he's obviously been bounced around the league, but if we want to have player specifically be a returner, this kid could be dangerous for us.

I always wondered what it would be like to have a guy like Devin Hester, and I think he could be that player for us. Someone absolutely dangerous to punt/kick to.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Just a few things to consider.

I don't think it is a case of people being as high on Street as it is the talk of WR Coach Dooley being high on Street and therefore members here trying to read the tea leaves and figuring he has a good chance to stick.

Dunn has been an intriguing prospect that was on the practice squad and he very well may wind up being the man.

However I think they want Lucky Whitehead to win the competition and I also think they want Farmer to somehow stick.

I am not sure who Dooley thought they were going to draft in the 7th round but they were at one point seriously considering drafting a WR in the 7th and and brought Dooley in and he sat in the chair that the other position coaches sat in previously and talked to the drafted rookies on the phone. He was in that seat and in the war room for a few minutes in the 7th and after a short time he moved out of the chair and the room and LB Coach Matt Eberflus (sp?) came in and started talking on the phone after they made that first pick in the 7th round.

After the draft was over they brought in a number of WRs to compete for the possible Return job and one of the highest paid of those guys at WR was Farmer so I imagine it had to be Farmer or Whitehead that Dooley thought the team was going to draft with that 7th round pick as I recall someone saying later that he still got the player he thought he was going to get in the 7th round but I don't remember who said that.

If Whitehead does not stick and Dunn beats him out, I have a feeling (at this time as anything can change in the coming days) that they want Farmer to stick in some capacity even if the can manage to squirrel him away on the practice squad.

 

[Stash]

Just a few things to consider.

I don't think it is a case of people being as high on Street as it is the talk of WR Coach Dooley being high on Street and therefore members here trying to read the tea leaves and figuring he has a good chance to stick.

Dunn has been an intriguing prospect that was on the practice squad and he very well may wind up being the man.

However I think they want Lucky Whitehead to win the competition and I also think they want Farmer to somehow stick.

I am not sure who Dooley thought they were going to draft in the 7th round but they were at one point seriously considering drafting a WR in the 7th and and brought Dooley in and he sat in the chair that the other position coaches sat in previously and talked to the drafted rookies on the phone. He was in that seat and in the war room for a few minutes in the 7th and after a short time he moved out of the chair and the room and LB Coach Matt Eberflus (sp?) came in and started talking on the phone after they made that first pick in the 7th round.

After the draft was over they brought in a number of WRs to compete for the possible Return job and one of the highest paid of those guys at WR was Farmer so I imagine it had to be Farmer or Whitehead that Dooley thought the team was going to draft with that 7th round pick as I recall someone saying later that he still got the player he thought he was going to get in the 7th round but I don't remember who said that.

If Whitehead does not stick and Dunn beats him out, I have a feeling (at this time as anything can change in the coming days) that they want Farmer to stick in some capacity even if the can manage to squirrel him away on the practice squad.

I agree on the comments regarding Farmer. I remember hearing or seeing somewhere that he was the player they were thinking about taking in the 7th round. When they didn't, they made him a key priority undrafted free agent signing, giving him the large bonus money.

I also really believe that they see his physical gifts and want him to stick.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I agree on the comments regarding Farmer. I remember hearing or seeing somewhere that he was the player they were thinking about taking in the 7th round. When they didn't, they made him a key priority undrafted free agent signing, giving him the large bonus money.

I also really believe that they see his physical gifts and want him to stick.

Yeah he kind of fits the type of WR in stature that they like. Beasley is not like the others in the physical mold they prefer and I think they will deviate from the mold for special players or returners but for the most part they normally have a size and type of WR they like and I think Farmer fits that.

 

[Stash]

Yeah he kind of fits the type of WR in stature that they like. Beasley is not like the others in the physical mold they prefer and I think they will deviate from the mold for special players or returners but for the most part they normally have a size and type of WR they like and I think Farmer fits that.

Yeah, he definitely does. While I love their current group, the one aspect that is still on my 'wish list' is that true 'burner'. The guy with scary speed capable of taking the top off of an opposing defense.

Maybe that guy is already on the current roster, but it's something that I'll be looking for during the OTA's and training camp.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Let me tell you a little bit about Reggie Dunn.

At Utah, he set the NCAA record for kick returns for touchdown in a single season, with 4, the career record for career 100 yard kick returns with 5 and the record for 100 yard kick returns in a game which he had 2.

He ran a 4.22 40.

I'm not saying he definitely makes the team or anything, he's obviously been bounced around the league, but if we want to have player specifically be a returner, this kid could be dangerous for us.

I always wondered what it would be like to have a guy like Devin Hester, and I think he could be that player for us. Someone absolutely dangerous to punt/kick to.

Problem is, he does not have experience returning punts. If he did, he likely would have stuck, but teams are weary of letting someone do that in live games when they haven't before.

 

[tyke1doe]

Let me tell you a little bit about Reggie Dunn.

At Utah, he set the NCAA record for kick returns for touchdown in a single season, with 4, the career record for career 100 yard kick returns with 5 and the record for 100 yard kick returns in a game which he had 2.

He ran a 4.22 40.

I'm not saying he definitely makes the team or anything, he's obviously been bounced around the league, but if we want to have player specifically be a returner, this kid could be dangerous for us.

I always wondered what it would be like to have a guy like Devin Hester, and I think he could be that player for us. Someone absolutely dangerous to punt/kick to.

I don't quite understand. If he runs a 4.2 in the 40 and is a special teams speed demon, why has he bounced from team to team and why haven't we heard of him doing anything, er, special on special teams?

 

[Redball Express]

Just a few things to consider.

I don't think it is a case of people being as high on Street as it is the talk of WR Coach Dooley being high on Street and therefore members here trying to read the tea leaves and figuring he has a good chance to stick.

Dunn has been an intriguing prospect that was on the practice squad and he very well may wind up being the man.

However I think they want Lucky Whitehead to win the competition and I also think they want Farmer to somehow stick.

I am not sure who Dooley thought they were going to draft in the 7th round but they were at one point seriously considering drafting a WR in the 7th and and brought Dooley in and he sat in the chair that the other position coaches sat in previously and talked to the drafted rookies on the phone. He was in that seat and in the war room for a few minutes in the 7th and after a short time he moved out of the chair and the room and LB Coach Matt Eberflus (sp?) came in and started talking on the phone after they made that first pick in the 7th round.

After the draft was over they brought in a number of WRs to compete for the possible Return job and one of the highest paid of those guys at WR was Farmer so I imagine it had to be Farmer or Whitehead that Dooley thought the team was going to draft with that 7th round pick as I recall someone saying later that he still got the player he thought he was going to get in the 7th round but I don't remember who said that.

If Whitehead does not stick and Dunn beats him out, I have a feeling (at this time as anything can change in the coming days) that they want Farmer to stick in some capacity even if the can manage to squirrel him away on the practice squad.

Agreed.

Great reading of the tea leaves yourself, brother.

I think the signing of Jenkins is interesting, too.

Don't know about any ST value with him, though.

But like they have done before like with McLlain and Robinson others..

You have to be impressed with their work finding guys to contribute at a low risk high reward thing.

 

[Doomsday101]

whoever can show the most in the return game will have the inside track of winning a spot.

 

[Galian Beast]

I don't quite understand. If he runs a 4.2 in the 40 and is a special teams speed demon, why has he bounced from team to team and why haven't we heard of him doing anything, er, special on special teams?

Who knows, he's really small, and I'm not sure how many teams keep a special teams returner on their 53 who really can't do anything else in terms of special teams coverage or playing WR.

 

[Galian Beast]

Problem is, he does not have experience returning punts. If he did, he likely would have stuck, but teams are weary of letting someone do that in live games when they haven't before.

If he is going to be your return ace, he needs to do both.

 

[Eskimo]

I think they like Farmer but he probably needs a year on the PS because of how little college experience he had due to injury. He lost 1 year due to concussion. He lost a chunk of another year from a spider bite. He lost another year due to ACL injury. Finally his redshirt Sr year he was just buried on the depth chart. He had only 30ish receptions in his college career.

He has rare size and speed (6-1, 215 lbs, 4.35 40 on grass at Pro day, ran a legit 10.4 100m as a HS Sr) and decent hands. He is just too raw right now to play in games. Maybe he'll end up being like Miles Austin and stay on the roster all year but not actually play WR. I really hope he flashes on ST and makes the roster because I think they can make something out of him if given a bit of time and health. His injuries sound more like bad luck rather than lack of durability. He does have family pedigree on his side too as his father played in the NFL back in the 90s.

I'm not too high on any of the others, TBH. They look like TC fodder but maybe someone like Goodley will surprise.