Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb expected to be named 2022 Pro Bowl alternate

A spot on the all-start team will open up on Sunday evening, and the second-year receiver will likely slide into the opening. | From @StarConscience

It was a mini-miracle that wide receiver CeeDee Lamb fell to the Cowboys at 17 in the 2020 NFL draft. Despite only playing four full games with quarterback Dak Prescott, Lamb had a productive season with 74 receptions for 935 yards and five touchdowns.

The expectation was for Lamb to make a significant Year 2 jump in 2021. It didn’t quite happen but his numbers went up across the board. He led the Cowboys in receptions (79), yards (1,102), and yards per catch (13.9) and was tied for second in receiving touchdowns (6).

According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, this production is expected to land Lamb a spot on the NFC’s 2022 Pro Bowl roster as an alternate.

The NFC Championship game featuring the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers is the key to a spot opening up. Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel are among the five receivers named to the club, and one of them will become ineligible for the all-star event by virtue of being a part of the Super Bowl. While some teams announce their players who are named alternates when the teams are announced, the Cowboys do not.

Lamb was dominant in the slot as a rookie leading the NFL in several categories. However, with Michael Gallup missing eight games in 2021, Cedrick Wilson became the Cowboys’ primary slot threat and Lamb moved to the outside with Amari Cooper. The Cowboys’ offense flourished with this lineup for a large part of the season and led the league in points per game and yards.

Lamb has a drop issue that he needs to get under control but no matter where he lines up he produces, and he still hasn’t reached his potential yet.