CeeDee Lamb is following in the footsteps of many premiere wide receivers that have dawned the prestigious No.88 for America’s Team. The digits carry tremendous weight and history of the league’s elite that are now immortalized in Canton. With his breakout rookie campaign in 2020, Lamb exceeded the high expectations as the Dallas Cowboys‘ first-round pick.
Many iconic catches made by Lamb’s predecessors highlight the walls of the team’s headquarters in Frisco, Texas and to be frank, many of Lamb’s contested catches in 2020 are worthy of a mural too.
His most notable catch being his man-posessed, one-handed touchdown grab against the Minnesota Vikings. The play was marveled at by fans and league personnel around the NFL. The league posted a video from the Cowboys that displays many of Lamb’s top moments from his rookie season. Grab the candy and take a sit because this is a comprehensive look at a “star in the making.”
⭐️ on his helmet.
⭐️ in the making?@_CeeDeeThree | @dallascowboys pic.twitter.com/z6Gbf3kOV1— NFL (@NFL) February 21, 2021
Many of those receptions were a challenge for any player to make, but a rookie? Lamb made the transition from the college ranks to the pros look effortless. The former Oklahoma Sooner accumulated 74 receptions for 935 yards, a 12.6 average per catch, and five touchdowns in his debut year. He crushed the franchise record for most receptions by a rookie (Bob Hayes, 46) with his stunning 74. In addition, Lamb had the highest slot percentage in the league in 2020, receiving 483-of-516 passing snaps from the slot.
Lamb made several insane catches this past year that left both sidelines in awe, but there is a method to his madness- a pool, a trampoline, and good friends.
Throughout his childhood, Lamb focused on innovative body control exercises in the pool and trampoline to practice making crazy catches. The work has certainly paid off and translated onto the field. He created his aggression at the point of attack through unique, fun drills with friends that has led to his production at the NFL level.
“With my friends and my brothers, we definitely had this competition every time we played, who could make the craziest catch. However you do it, you did it. Multiple guys in one area, you throw the ball up and whatever happens, happens. That’s kind of how I envision it every time I see the ball in the air. I definitely try to have the mindset that it’s my ball, it’s not 50-50.” (CeeDee Lamb described to local Dallas media via conference call)
Lamb earned the number the Cowboys entrusted to him and is already creating his own legacy wearing the beloved Star against some of the top corners in the league. Lamb’s innate ability to make contorted catches is evident and he consistantly eluded tackles after the catch to gain yardage.
One of the most impressive qualities, his willingness to block. The feisty 6’2, 195-pound receiver delivered necessary hits to clear the perimeter for Dak Prescott or Andy Dalton on the run, or a rusher breaking to the second level. A selfless attribute that ups his stock.
During the pre-draft process, Lamb was often compared to DeAndre Hopkins for his contested catch skills and elusiveness after the catch. In an interview with Lamb prior to the Week six game against the Arizona Cardinals, he discussed his admiration for Hopkins.
“I watch him a lot. I definitely did when I was in high school and college. Nothing changed. I still think the same of him. He’s a great receiver, top in the position itself. I like everything that he does, the way he attacks the ball, everything- the release the route. Overall, he’s pretty much the whole package. He has a great catch radius. There’s not really too many bad things you can say about him. That’s the kind of affect I want to have on everybody else.”
Lamb is poised for stardom at the pro level. In his rookie campaign with a revolving door at quarterback and makeshift offensive line, he still nearly hit the 1,000-yard receiving mark. He is an exciting young player to watch and has a bright future ahead with likely many more celebrated highlights for the Dallas Cowboys.