CeeDee Lamb, the 17th-overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, has signed his rookie contract with the Dallas Cowboys. The wide receiver will now be fully able to join his new teammates when training camp starts next week.
Lamb and other rookies arrived to camp on Tuesday, earlier than other players, to get some of this business done and get some extra preparation. Quarterbacks and injured players are set to arrive today, and the rest of the roster are due by July 28th.
The #Cowboys have agreed to terms with No. 17 overall pick WR CeeDee Lamb, I'm told. He gets a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $14.01M, along with a fifth-year option. Rookies have begun reporting across the NFL, and Lamb can now join them.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2020
The details in these contracts are no big surprise since the NFL adopted a rookie wage scale almost a decade ago. They are based on where you fell in the draft, and all 1st-round picks have that team option for a fifth season added on.
Lamb is now under contract through the 2023 season. Dallas will have the ability to tack on a one-year deal in 2024 which essentially acts like a discounted exclusive franchise tag.
While facing big expectations as a 1st-rounder, and especially one that was seen as a steal by all analysts, CeeDee won't be burdened with franchise WR responsibility right away. He will get to grow into his future role, whatever it becomes, behind Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
Still, Lamb is certainly one of the players we're most excited to see as the 2020 season nears. With no preseason games to look forward to due to COVID-19, reports and videos from training camp will be our only glimpses into the rookie's performance until Week One.
