Could CeeDee Lamb elevate himself as a true number-one wide receiver?
That was the question after Amari Cooper was traded to the Cleveland Browns in March.
Lamb does not pop off the screen and put up ridiculous stat lines like some other true No. 1 wide receivers in the league, but when you dive into his numbers, you will find him inside the top 15 in receiving yards.
Lamb is currently 14th, which is impressive for an offense that has leaned on the run in the absence of Dak Prescott. I'll be honest, and I did not think he would be sitting inside the top 20 right now.
Through the first seven games, Lamb has 37 receptions on 66 targets, 479 yards, and two touchdowns, good for an average of 68.4 yards a game.
He is ahead of guys like Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans, only 16 yards behind Mike Williams and 30 fewer than Davante Adams.
With that said, Lamb may not put up the numbers some expect out of a true WR1, but Since his 29-yard outing in week one, Lamb has rebounded with 75, 87, 97, 53, 68, and 70, good enough to help the Cowboys roll to a 5-2 record.
Although the offense probably won't change much with Prescott under center, his ceiling should increase with him back from injury.
And THAT is what has been missing from the Cowboys offense for the last several weeks. Dak Prescott, on the run, chased and pressured by the Lions front, but lofts a beauty between two defenders to CeeDee Lamb for a gain of 24.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) October 23, 2022
While on pace for his most yards as a pro, 1,163, it is probably a little bit lower than most would like to see, but I would rather see wins, which is what the Cowboys are producing right now.
Noah Brown has slowed down a bit from his hot start to the season, and although he did not have a catch in Sunday's win against the Lions, the return of Michael Gallup should also help Lamb, and let's not forget they will get James Washington back.
No date has been set for his return; when he got hurt in August, the word was he'd be out 6-10 weeks, and last week Washington was catching passes and said he felt great.
Ten games remain on the Cowboy's schedule, and Lamb does not have to change anything he has done to this point. They will need him to continue to be that model of consistency and make some big plays from time to time.
The offense is getting healthy, and Lamb has been a bit banged up, but he is doing enough every game to help pull out victories.
Lamb is signed through 2023 on his original rookie contract. As a former first-round pick, his contract gives the Cowboys the standard fifth-year option for the 2024 season.
Dallas could hold onto Lamb for a fifth year for around $13 or $14 million, and compared to what the top WRs are making, that would be a steal. We will have to wait and see how they handle it soon.
We know what this offense is, and it can get better, and I hope it does, but Lamb is on pace for his best season as a pro in a run-first offense, and with the Cowboys putting victories together, just continue doing what you are doing 88!
