The wide receiver position is often called the diva role in an offensive system. Those players tend to be more high-maintenance.
Emotions can fluctuate, and frustrations go inward to outward if the game plan doesn't satisfy them. With that said, NFL front offices stalk free agency, trades, and NFL drafts to retain one of those guys to elevate their offenses successfully.
Dallas has been fortunate over the years to draft that playmaker. The number 88 has been synonymous with excellence, even more so with the Cowboys.
When discussing fantastic football players, a few names always come up. I'm thinking of two hall-of-famers and another receiver who was at the top of his game.
Drew Pearson. Michael Irvin. Dez Bryant.
These guys were incredible on the field and significantly impacted the football game. It was always exciting to watch those guys in action.
On the current Cowboys' team, one particular receiver stands out, as his exceptional talent, coupled with his strong rapport with his quarterback and the system he is a part of, has him primed for an outstanding season.
Talent alone won't get him to the Crown, but it's a start
The talent level and physical tools make CeeDee Lamb an easy target to play the alpha receiver position.
The low-hanging fruit that A.J. Brown put out there is too enticing to pass up.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚#Eagles WR AJ Browns says he doesn't want to be compared to CeeDee Lamb because he's a slot WR, whereas AJ can play both inside and outside.
Shade or nah? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/xoXvDPdtD7
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) May 4, 2023
Lamb is one of the handful of number-one receivers that spend his time in the slot as well as in the outside. For the record Mr. Brown, CeeDee has played 594 snaps in the slot and 523 snaps out wide according to Pro Football Focus.
If anything, Brown is giving him a compliment and making a point all in the same tweet. The last triple-crown winner was none other than Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams.
He did so by having the natural ability to play on the inside as well as the outside.
Like Kupp, Lamb is quicker than fast with elite body control and the ability to contort in ways that allow him to make acrobatic catches.
The other similarity between the two is that both receivers have a 6'2″ frame.
That physical profile allows him many of the same benefits to his game that Kupp had. The fade routes and jump balls will help undoubtedly increase his production.
Lamb is just entering the phase of his career where he understands how to use that frame to provide Dak an open target on a consistent basis. Entering his fourth season it should position him to have a large spike in his production.
CeeDee will have his QB1 for the entire season, hopefully
Did you know that the connection between a certain receiver and his quarterback has produced some impressive stats?
According to Stat Muse, they've combined for 178 receptions, 2,402 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns in just 32 games.
It's no wonder people are excited to see what this talented duo will achieve next.
It is also interesting to note that the impressive stats between CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott would have been even higher if it weren't for injuries, particularly on the side of the quarterback.
Unfortunately, Dak has missed 16 games since Lamb joined the league.
As the number two receiver in 2020-2021, CeeDee was still eating behind Amari Cooper. A total of 111 in 2020 and 120 targets in 2021 sent his direction put him at 22nd most targets in the NFL in both seasons.
That CeeDee Lamb pretty good https://t.co/OWIfgdyfoM
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@timeforjeffrey) May 5, 2023
Fast forward to 2022, and that number has changed considerably.
One-hundred-fifty-six targets put CeeDee in the top five at the ripe old age of 24. Not to mention, the third-year pro knew what to do with the marks that came his way.
With Prescott ready to go in the 2023 season, the expectations are those targets will continue to expand.
Dak's completions to Lamb have grown and will continue to trend upwards as they play more together.
Anything lower than 35% of the pass completions to Lamb would be criminal, but maybe just enough for him to wear that crown still.
A #1 receiver is still a necessity even in a run-based offense
Head Coach Mike McCarthy has told anyone who will listen that this improved offense will be more run-based to complement the defense. That's fair.
However, in most run-based offenses, you'll find a wide receiver who dominates the receiving stats.
This past season, the Philadelphia Eagles had a top-5 rushing yardage team, but I remember there were two high-producing wide receivers.
Unfortunately, that will not be everyone's story.
If anything, that may be an anomaly but one that may repeat itself in 2023.
Newly acquired Brandin Cooks and a healthy Michael Gallup will help open up this offense. Lamb should see consistent single coverages with a defensive focus on the running game and an outside receiver who can take the top off a defense.
During McCarthy's Green Bay tenure, his offensive play style led to successful results for the wide receivers.
In the Super Bowl year, the Packers highlighted Greg Jennings — 76 receptions for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns.
In 2014, Jordy Nelson hauled 98 receptions for 1,519 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
The hope for the Dallas Cowboys front office and fans is CeeDee Lamb's ceiling, Mr. Davante Adams. His most productive year with Coach McCarthy was in 2018. He had 111 receptions for 1,386 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Granted, Lamb will need to exceed all the numbers mentioned above.
A lot of good play calling, health, and accurate passes will be required to get the triple crown and more.
2023 is the best year for a Dallas Cowboys player to take this award home, and CeeDee Lamb may be just the man for the job.
