A season ago, so much attention fueled the news cycle on the Amari Cooper trade to the Cleveland Browns.
The move received varying reactions from fans depending on their perspective – some criticized it, others loved it, and some felt indifferent towards it.
Three years before that, Cole Beasley exited the stage right to Orchard Park, NY.
He was replaced, in theory, by Randall Cobb in 2019 for one season and Cedrick Wilson, Jr. after that.
From a statistical standpoint, Dak Prescott’s best years were 2018, 2019, and 2021.
A portion of his success aligns with having an effective pass catcher on underneath routes.
Fast forward to 2023, the question looms – Do the Dallas Cowboys have players besides CeeDee Lamb who can fill the “Cole Beasley” role?
Newly acquired Brandin Cooks would be the knee-jerk response, but who else could share in those responsibilities?
Two individuals could serve as reliable targets for Dak in 2024, and here’s why.
Deuce Vaughn is the easy answer for a safety blanket
Could there be a better underneath option than Deuce Vaughn? If there is, please educate me on who that is.
Vaughn is tailor-made for the role. The sub-4.5 speed is more than suitable to get up the field.
The stop-on-a-dime moves, and ankle-breaking shiftiness make defenders look like low-level intramural athletes trying to find their skills of yesteryear.
Although he has no documented 10-yard split time, his explosive speed off the line of scrimmage enables him to create separation and get open consistently.
That part of his game is clearly seen on tape.
At Kansas State University, his receiving prowess gets criminally overlooked. That’s because his running ability is so fun to watch.
The numbers he put up on the receiving end were more than respectable.
Hauling in 116 receptions for 1280 yards in his three seasons as a starter will earn you the status of a complete dual-threat prospect.
It may take a few games for Vaughn to find his way, but his speed, elusiveness, and sure hands should escalate the process.
Deuce is already earning praise and support from Prescott.
Dak sees it and I’m sure Mike McCarthy will come around to it as well.
Deuce Vaughn will earn his way on the field, and this could be the role to do just that.
Is it time for Dallas to capitalize on KaVontae receiving skills?
There was little to KaVontae Turpin’s receiving role last season.
It was almost zilch.
As a receiver, he was tossed two targets and hauled in 1 reception for the entire season.
Add insult to injury, Dallas decided to put him in a divisional round football game on the final play, only to find himself on the wrong end of a whooping stick.
Some of that was on him, and a portion of the responsibility fell at the feet of the play designer.
We are in a different year, and the start of his second season is quickly approaching.
Expectations placed on himself may be higher than any attached to him by coaches and fans.
He will walk in as a certified Pro Bowl specialist, but long-term success can be less secure on special teams.
Luckily for Turpin, a role is available that fits his physical profile and skill set better than any of the receivers ahead of him on the depth chart.
CeeDee Lamb is undoubtedly the team’s certified alpha and number one receiver. Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks will round out the trio.
Cooks’ deep speed offers match-up problems, but working in concert with Turpin’s shiftiness underneath could be deadly.
At this point, Turpin’s similarities to Beasley are much more than their sub-5’10” height.
This coaching staff should utilize his athleticism and quickness off the line.
His route running may still be a work in progress, but he was spotted with Dak and some of the guys getting some work earlier this year.
The Dallas Cowboys have a rare opportunity to double-dip. Similar to Vaughn playing the running back spot. They have their kick/punt returner and receiver in the same guy.
It may not have been Prescott’s bread and butter, but he was certainly comfortable with it.
