Cowboys are relying on CeeDee Lamb’s willingness to tackle the function of Future One

Frisco, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys gave the CeeDee Lamb 88th for a purpose.

They higher be proper.

With the Cowboys agreeing to commerce extensive receiver Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns, Lamb, a first-round choose in 2020, has risen to the clear No. 1 receiver function. By buying and selling Cooper, the Cowboys unlocked $16 million within the cowl room.

Sacred Quantity 88 in Dallas Historical past. Perhaps not as sacred as quantity 12 to legend Roger Staubach or possibly quantity 8 to three-time Tremendous Bowl champion Troy Aikman. However with Corridor of Fame receivers Drew Pearson and Michael Irvine, in addition to Dez Bryant carrying the No. 88, there’s stress on number-wearing to play on the report stage.

In his first two years, Lamb dealt with it properly. However the stress will mount this season.

Dak Prescott’s quarterback ought to turn out to be what Pearson was for Staubach, the way in which Irvin Ekman was and the way in which Bryant was for Tony Romo.

“He is a playmaker, and while you’re so expert and so self-aware, it is simple to be on the identical web page,” Prescott mentioned of Lamb over the previous season. , we’re speaking about, whether or not it is elective strategies or whether or not it is no matter.”

In his first two seasons, Lamb has 153 receptions for two,037 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named to the Professional Bowl in 2023 as an damage substitute after making 79 receptions for 1,102 yards and 6 touchdowns.

The Cowboys by no means thought they’d be capable to draft a Lamb in 2020. They thought it could be gone lengthy earlier than they picked seventeenth and would not be capable to go on the participant they put within the prime 10 on their recruiting board.

Lamb had some thrilling moments in his first two seasons. His finest got here in extra time win for the New England Patriots as he earned 9 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns, together with a contact go for 35 yards to win the sport.

“I contact the ball any more, she’ll undoubtedly discover it is a shot,” Lamb mentioned after the Patriots win. “That is how I play.”

The Cowboys have used him as a return for the method and even given him the ball as a tail arm.

However there have been many moments when Lamb wasn’t an element.

Have a look at their final sport, the large loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Maintain one go for 21 yards.

Whether or not it was resulting from a sport plan error, or curiosity from or from San Francisco, that can not be the case now. He additionally wants to chop seven drops from his captaincy from 2023.

Earlier than Cooper landed a deal from the Raiders in 2018, Prescott struggled to hit 200 yards in a passing sport. It was with Allen Hearns, Deonte Thompson, Cole Beasley and rookie Michael Gallup because the go catchers.

Cooper modified the dynamic however Prescott has advanced considerably since then as properly. He must show he can stay a powerful go with out Cooper simply as Lamb must show he might be No. 1. The Cowboys clearly suppose that is the case with Prescott since they signed him to a $40 million-a-year contract final March.

Prescott could have a greater crew round him for the reason that begin of 2023 than he did in 2018, beginning with Lamb.

Gallup is near staying on a multi-year contract probably as early as subsequent week, however is more likely to begin the season on the record of bodily unable to carry out resulting from surgical procedure to restore the ACL in his left knee in February.

The Cowboys flagged the franchise at Dalton Schultz’s tight finish, retaining Prescott’s safety blanket within the fold for not less than yet one more season.

Cowboys recipient Cedric Wilson will probably lose out on free company subsequent week, however they might add assist in the veteran market or early within the subsequent draft.

Nevertheless, Lamb should take the subsequent step in his evolution.

And it have to be worthy of the quantity 88.