Ryan Flournoy wants to build a tradition around No.19 in Dallas and another jump in year 3 could put him past several familiar names sooner than later.
I never thought too much about No.19 in Cowboys history until I looked at the receivers who wore the jersey. Those names included Miles Austin, Amari Cooper, Lance Rentzel, Lance Alworth, and Brice Butler.
And now Ryan Florunoy.
After last season, he’s a lot closer to a few of the names above than I thought he would be.
The funny thing is Ryan Flournoy has put some thought into the number 19. Austin and Cooper were part of the reason he chose that jersey number after wearing No. 80 as a rookie, and he talked about wanting to build a “19 tradition” in Dallas.
He had this to say about the number:
“The reason I got 19 is because Miles Austin and Amari Cooper, so I just feel like I play like them, big, fast, just finesse, and just wanted to keep that tradition for real.”
Where Ryan Flournoy Stacks Up With 19’s
The top of this list is too far off. I will not turn one decent end of the season into a Miles Austin or Amari Cooper conversation.
But Butler and Alworth? Different story?
Ryan Flournoy needs four catches to pass Butler and 10 to pass Alworth. Another 208 yards gets him past Alworth, while 320 pushes him ahead of Butler. One touchdown breaks the tie with Alworth and three gets him past Butler.
If we get the low end, and he just repeats last season, he will pass both of these guys in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
And no, I am not saying passing Lance Alworth’s Cowboys numbers make Flournoy better than a Hall of Famer. Alworth joined the Cowboys at the end of his career. We’re only talking about the Cowboys, who wore No.19.
I think Brice Butler is the interesting one because he was the epitome of a take the top off receiver. He only caught 43 passes in Dallas, but those went for 794 yards and six touchdowns. Flournoy isn’t that just yet.
Still, the numbers are close enough that he could fly past Butler pretty quick.
CeeDee Lamb Thinks Flournoy’s Ceiling is a Lot Higher
Apparently, repeating last season isn’t good enough for CeeDee Lamb when it comes to Flournoy.
He thinks Flournoy can get 1,000 yards. CeeDee Lamb had this to say:
“His routes, he’s crisped them up, he got a little juice to him, he has flavor and he has confidence,” Lamb said of Flournoy. “He’s an amazing talent. He can be a 1,000-yard receiver in this offense.”
Dallas still has Lamb, George Pickens and Jake Ferguson, and Dak Prescott only has one football. I think someone will think they need more targets by October if the wheels fall off on this team. I just can’t put my name on Flournoy getting 1,000 yards, but crazier things have happened.
The last time three receivers got 1,000 in the NFL was the Arizona Cardinals.
Another 1,000 yards would put Flournoy at 1,475 while wearing No.19. That would blow Alworth and Butler out of the water, and he would just be 280 yards behind Keyshawn Johnson.
That’s a heck of a jump for a guy who was fighting for a roster spot a year ago.
Miles Austin is Still the Standard
Austin’s 301 catches, 4,481 yards and 34 touchdowns aren’t in danger anytime soon. Cooper and Rentzel aren’t either, but Austin is one of the guys Flournoy looked up to, which makes the whole No. 19 thing a little better.
Miles Austin is a lot like Flournoy. Austin wasn’t supposed to be that guy after being undrafted, but he hung around, got better, and then it just clicked.
I think there’s something there. How much? No idea, but that’s the part we all should be watching.
Ryan Flournoy wants No. 19 to carry more weight in Dallas. If Lamb is anywhere close to that 1,000-yard prediction, Keyshawn may get jumped this season.
Austin, Cooper, and Rentzel?
We can worry about them later.
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