The Dallas Cowboys haven’t done much this offseason to add to the roster, trusting the guys in the locker room already, including the new draft picks.
The Cowboys used their 6th-round pick on Ryan Flournoy, a zero-star recruit out of high school who started his college ball at Central Missouri.
He would transfer twice, first to Iowa Western Community College, then again to Southeast Missouri State.
College Career
He enrolled at Central Missouri in 2018 and redshirted his first year.
The next year he registered 17 receptions for 170 yards and missed time due to an ACL injury.
In 2020, Flournoy transferred to Iowa Western Community College. In 2021, he led the team with 545 yards, five touchdowns and 38 receptions.
After transferring for the final time to Southeast Missouri State, he led the Redhawks with 1,016 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 62 receptions.
In Flournoy’s final season, he was named as team captain.
He recorded 59 receptions for 825 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while playing in nine games. He also had four carries for 62 yards and a touchdown.
He missed time due to a hand injury.
So for a player who took a bit to find his footing, I guess you can say he had a successful college career.
From being a zero-star recruit out of high school to being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, he already won.
Flournoy became just the second player in Southeast Missouri school history to be invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
What He Brings
I will say, I am not even sure if Flournoy will see the field in 2024, but he has a chance.
The Cowboys have CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Jalen Tolbert, then it is the rest of the guys.
They cut Michael Gallup. Although they brought in Zay Jones for a visit, he signed with the Cardinals shortly after.
Flournoy is a big, physical receiver whose goal is to often outmuscle and outjump defensive backs en route to making some phenomenal contested catches.
“I pay attention to everybody. A lot of people say I play like Dez Bryant. For current players, either DJ Moore or Ja’Marr Chase,” Flournoy said.
“There’s a lot of great receivers in the NFL, and I’m just eager to learn from them.”
He received a grade of 9.88 on the Relative Athletic Scale of 1-10 during the combine, he was one of the best athletes in this year’s draft.
Of wide receivers, Flournoy produced the fastest GPS time during position drills at the 2024 combine.
The WR who did so in 2023? Puka Nacua.
He could surprise some folks.
Ways To See The Field
With a weak running game, the Cowboys are probably going to be dependent on Dak Prescott even more than last year.
It looks as if this team will be a running back by committee with Rico Dowdle getting the first chance to start as the lead back.
Zeke will be used when needed when the season starts in September.
I understand he did what the Cowboys have done the last 30 years and not get it done in the playoffs. Yet he did play at an All-Pro level for 90% of the year.
I think Flournoy will get a chance in the offense just due to the lack of depth. But that remains to be seen.
He may even start on special teams just to get the flow of the NFL game.
We have a long way to go before we find out what the final roster will look like, the NFL schedule was released yesterday.
The Cowboys open on the road against the Cleveland Browns.
They also play the Giants on Thanksgiving.
This could be a very interesting year for the Cowboys.