The Dallas Cowboys have a logjam of talent at wide receiver. While this sentence would’ve felt impossible just a year ago, it feels like a fact heading into training camp this season.
Beginning with their selection of Michael Gallup in the 2018 NFL Draft, Dallas set out on a mission to re-tool their receiving corps. And, by trading for Pro Bowler Amari Cooper and signing former Packer Randall Cobb, they’ve done just that.
Where does that leave some of the other Cowboys wide outs, though? Well, it’s going to be a heck of a roster battle beginning in a few weeks. With the three “top” receivers just about guaranteed to make the final roster, that leaves a plethora of talented guys battling for the final spots.
That list includes the likes of Allen Hurns, Tavon Austin, Cedrick Wilson, Lance Lenoir, Noah Brown, Jalen Guyton, and Jon’Vea Johnson. Each of which has their own solid case for why the Cowboys should keep them around after August concludes.
As my colleague Jess Haynie has pointed out, both Tavon Austin and Allen Hurns are more costly than any of the young newcomers which fans have fallen in love with during the offseason, which could hurt them in the long run.
“Tavon’s 2019 cap hit is $1.32 million with $500,000 in dead money if released. Hurns’ is a whopping $6.25 million and $1.25 million in guarantees.”
With that being said, Allen Hurns may also find himself to be as close to a lock to make the team as a “bubble” guy can be come the end of Camp, even in-spite of his horrific-looking playoff leg injury.
Allen Hurns can fill in at just about any receiver position, whether playing on the outside or in the slot. He’s likely his best in that inside slot, but seemed to see most of his playing time last year on the outside. Once Cooper joined the team midway through the year, and Hurns did little to maintain his status, Hurns saw his playing time overall take a hit.
Still, Allen Hurns is a clear favorite of the Cowboys coaching staff. Jason Garrett has talked at length about how much he admires Hurns’ attitude and work ethic, and was right beside Hurns holding his hand as he laid injured on the field against Seattle.
Allen Hurns is the prototypical Garrett “RKG,” which just may help him when final cuts come around in about two months. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s been around a full year and has veteran experience playing at a solid level, of course.
