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CeeDee Lamb entered his rookie NFL season with a chip on his shoulder. Transitioning to the pros from the collegiate level always comes with immense pressure to perform for a first-round draft pick, but for Lamb, he felt additional weight to prove himself under the bright lights.
In the 2020 draft class, Lamb was projected and rated as the top receiver on many mock drafts/ draft boards for his elite catch radius, contested catch ability, body control, willingness to block, and superb route running.
The Dallas Cowboys briefly spoke with Lamb at the combine and were intrigued by the former Sooner’s skillset but never imagined he would still be available at pick No. 17.
Fast-forward to draft night and the unthinkable happened. The Las Vegas Raiders selected Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III with the 12th overall pick and the Denver Broncos chose Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy with the 15th overall selection. Lamb was still up for grabs and without hesitation, the Cowboys took the ‘best player available’ above their defensive need.
Atop the high stakes of donning the Star for America’s Team, the organization added another wrinkle- the illustrious 88. Only the Cowboys’ elite has worn that prestigious number. Lamb would follow in the footsteps of predecessors that set the standard of excellence: Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin, and Dez Bryant. All three line the hallways at the Star in Frisco with murals of past famed catches. Pearson and Irvin are immortalized in Canton Ohio as members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and at AT&T Stadium in the club’s hallowed Ring of Honor. Now those are some lofty shoes to fill!
Lamb rose to the challenge as a rookie, making many celebrated acrobatic catches of his own. Exhibit A, his one-handed, mid-air grab against the Vikings. He nearly hit the 1,000-yard receiving marker with a revolving door at quarterback, a makeshift offensive line due to injury, and a global pandemic. The Texas native had a pro bowl caliber year in silver and blue recording 74 receptions for 935 yards, an average of 12.6 yards-per-reception, and five touchdowns.
He established a franchise record with 74 receptions as a rookie surpassing Bob Hayes and was a menace over the middle of the field. Lamb played 483-of-516 passing snaps from the slot in 2020, the highest slot percentage (93.6%) in the league.
So, how did his stellar rookie campaign compare to Ruggs III and Jeudy? Let’s take a look.
Ruggs III lacked consistency. He notched two touchdowns for 452 yards as a first-year player. In a pass-heavy league, Ruggs did not meet expectations. He will need to improve at separating from defenders in order to up his production between the hash marks this upcoming season.
Jeudy compiled 52 receptions for 856 yards and three touchdowns. Once Drew Lock became more comfortable in the pocket, Jeudy emerged. He totaled his first 100-yard game in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons (125) but only had one for the season. He certainly showed promise and due to the lack of continuity under center for the Broncos, Jeudy’s role will increase in 2021.
Now that is what you call silence of the Lamb, pun intended. Without a doubt, No. 88 usurped both Ruggs III and Jeudy with his 2020 campaign. He may not have been the first receiver chosen in the draft, but he certainly performed like it. With Dak Prescott locked up with a long-term contract in Dallas, there are limitless possibilities for the tandem in 2021.
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