After the 2020 NFL Draft concluded the word around the NFL is that the Dallas Cowboys had a great draft. Arguably the best in the NFL. Not only were they able to find value in their selections, often selecting players that were graded higher than where they were selected, but they found players that could have an impact in their rookies. In particular, CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs are two players that could play a lot of snaps for the Cowboys in their first year in the NFL.
Based on early reports, things are going very well for the Dallas Cowboys top two draft picks, CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs. Both players come in with a lot of expectations. CeeDee Lamb was one of the ten best players in the draft and fell to the Dallas Cowboys at number 17. Many pegged Trevon Diggs to be a late first-round draft pick, and he fell to the middle of the second round for the Cowboys. Diggs, in particular, is tasked with being the long-term replacement for former Cowboys' cornerback Byron Jones.
Cowboys VP Stephen Jones on rookies CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs: “They've been outstanding in my mind. … Both of those guys are going to be able to contribute early and often for us, I think.”
(Video via the Dallas Cowboys) pic.twitter.com/TqeMyr8dWM
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 17, 2020
There's often a lot of hype about a rookie draft class, especially your first and second-round picks, but it isn't often that they're making plays early in training camp. There's been an emphasis this offseason on creating a scheme that allows players to attack the football and adding players that can create turnovers, especially in the secondary. Mike McCarthy has been impressed with Trevon Diggs in the early going.
Cornerback is shaping up to be one of the more competitive positions on the roster. Today Mike McCarthy was asked via conference call his early impressions of second-round pick Trevon Diggs: pic.twitter.com/RmynBejcXO
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) August 15, 2020
Trevon Diggs started his career at Alabama as a wide receiver before making the conversion to cornerback, so attacking the football should come very naturally to him. His “ball skills” are what everyone has raved about, and they're already showing up. Per Jane Slater of NFL Network, Diggs had a pass breakup on a deep ball from Dak Prescott to Devin Smith.
Though COVID-19 disrupted the offseason for the NFL and its new crop of rookies, it comes as no surprise that Diggs has made a smooth transition to the NFL game, at least in practice. As the younger brother of Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs, Trevon was able to workout with his pass-catching older brother this offseason. Stefon is one of the best route runners in the NFL. So even in informal workouts, Trevon was still getting put to work.
The buzz around CeeDee Lamb began to grow several picks before the Dallas Cowboys even went on the clock, and it hasn't subsided since. I can't remember a time when Cowboys analysts, media members, players, and fans were all in unison about a draft pick, but that's what's happened. And Lamb hasn't disappointed.
Rookie WR CeeDee Lamb catches a pass from Dak Prescott in today's team period
(📷: Dallas Cowboys) pic.twitter.com/4jZXqMMQCS
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) August 17, 2020
As you can see from Jori Epstein of USA Today, Lamb was able to create some separation on Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie in practice yesterday. Not surprising, Lamb was an excellent route runner in college, and his combination of size and speed makes him very difficult to cover. Whether in the slot or on the outside, Lamb is poised to take the league by storm. Unlike most situations a rookie wide receiver steps into, Lamb won't be asked to carry the load for the passing offense, but he'll have a huge impact nonetheless. Just ask Ezekiel Elliott.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott said that rookie WR CeeDee Lamb stood out to him today in first padded practice. “He's going to be a great player, another tool to our offense.”
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 17, 2020
It's important to follow trends when assessing the performance of these players in training camp practices. Players can be up and down depending on the day and depending on what the team is working on that particular day. However, the early reports about Trevon Diggs and CeeDee Lamb are revealing that the Cowboys' first two picks in the 2020 NFL Draft appear more than ready for the task at hand.
