The Cowboys made serious waves with their selection of WR CeeDee Lamb in the 2020 NFL draft. Instead of picking a defender like they’d done with their first pick in four of the previous five drafts, Dallas selected just their third first-round WR round in the last 29 years.
Alvin Harper in 1991 and Dez Bryant in 2010 preceded Lamb with the honor.The bold pick builds a strength, with Lamb joining Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup to form arguably the most impressive receiving group in the league. Draft analysis agree, absolutely loving the value and pick for Dallas with the first selection of the Mike McCarthy era.
Draft Wire: A+
“Much like the Broncos, the Cowboys steal a top-10 overall player and fill a big need with a dynamic playmaker.”
Touchdown Wire: A
“You could fault the Cowboys for not going with the best defensive player available with all of their free agency losses, but they also lost Randall Cobb in free agency, and Lamb was absolutely the best player left on the board. Lamb brings DeAndre Hopkins to mind with his toughness, quickness, and route awareness. You put him in the slot next to Amari Cooper, or in the “Z” position on the opposite side of the formation, and he’ll become Dak Prescott’s new best buddy.”
NFL.com:
“Mike McCarthy could see a little Davante Adams in Lamb’s game. The Oklahoma standout is an impressive playmaker with spectacular ball skills and running ability. He is a threat to score from anywhere on the field, and he gives the Cowboys a potent set of pass catchers on the perimeter.”
ESPN: Grade – 92
“This pick doesn’t fill a pressing need with Amari Copper re-signing and Michael Gallup coming off a breakout year. Need is overrated. Lamb is an outstanding value at this point, and adding his kind of talent is never a bad idea. He gives quarterback Dak Prescott and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore a potent No. 3 receiver that makes it tough to load the box to slow down running back Ezekiel Elliott.”
Bleacher Report: A
“Shhhhh! Quiet please. Genius at work.
ESPN’s Matt Mosley reports that Jerry Jones asked his scouts not to disturb him during the draft. Mosley soon had to make it very clear that it was a joke (after a few hundred retweets). Still, you can picture it, can’t you? “Lock the door behind you. Leave the bourbon. Both bottles. Field Mike McCarthy’s calls yourself. Dak’s agent too. Finally, just me, my 12-name draft board and my old Jimmie Rodgers records. Now to win a Super Bowl. Wait, what is that clapping? That telltale clapping? Could it be…Jason Garrett’s spirit, still haunting me from beyond his firing? WHY WON’T IT STOP? ARGGGGGH!”
Fortunately, Jones has not really tuned out his son or his front office (he clearly had a few people in his little man cave with him). And with that, it’s time for another Elite Receiver Report Card, your guide to determining what the big-name wide receivers in the 2020 draft class do best.
CBS Sports: B+
“This is a classic case of a team not expecting the player to be there. The didn’t necessarily need a WR, but he was there. I think they would have picked a pass rusher here had Lamb not fallen to them. If you are true to your board and have a great grade on the guy, you have to take him.”
PFF:
“There wasn’t much CeeDee Lamb to Dallas discussion leading up to the draft, but that is only because no one expected him to fall this far. Lamb came in at sixth on the PFF Big Board, a verifiable steal at the 17th overall pick. He has been one of the best receivers in all of college football with the ball in his hands after the catch, averaging 9.2 yards after the catch per reception (tied for second) and forcing 38 missed tackles after the catch since 2018 (second). With Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup already in Dallas, Lamb’s addition immediately gives them one of the best wide receiving corps in the NFL.
"This guy has magic to him." @CollinsworthPFF on CeeDee Lamb to Dallas pic.twitter.com/w1OOcpTolJ
— PFF (@PFF) April 24, 2020
Sports Illustrated: A+
“With Randall Cobb joining Houston, the Cowboys needed a new slot receiver. What they smartly realized is if they found one who could also play the “Z” position, going in motion and aligning outside, that would allow them to slide pricey star Amari Cooper into the slot, where he’s guaranteed to avoid the press-jam coverage that sometimes gives him trouble. Even better is that Lamb himself can also play significant snaps inside, affording offensive coordinator Kellen Moore the ultimate flexibility with his first-round wide receivers. Expect to see even more of the creative pre-snap motioning and stack-release tactics from Moore this season. Having Lamb and Cooper together almost assures that Michael Gallup, who is quietly developing into a nice “X” receiver, will often face one-on-one coverage. And in that same vein, it could mean lighter run boxes for Ezekiel Elliott. This is a quality pick with a potentially significant domino effect.”
The Ringer: A+
“Receiver wasn’t a strong need for the Cowboys with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup under contract, but it’s tough to criticize them for defaulting to the clear Best Player Available strategy by grabbing Lamb. The Oklahoma pass catcher, who checked in at no. 6 on my Big Board, is a smooth route runner with a physical, aggressive style at the catch point and after the catch. He’s savvy with the ball in the air, jockeying for position to gain leverage and win 50-50 balls, and is slippery and elusive in space, exploding past―and sometimes through―tackle attempts while picking up extra yards downfield.
Lamb isn’t the most sudden receiver in this class, but he showed off the speed to get over the top of a defense (and averaged 19.0 yards per catch in his college career, including a 21.4-yard average in 2019—good for third among FBS players) and the ability to separate late in his route to create space downfield. He’s absurdly productive and has the skill set to make an early impact in his career, even in a stacked skill-position group in Dallas. Dak Prescott will put up some ridiculous numbers this year and the Cowboys offense has a chance to be one of the best in the league.”
SB Nation
“A pure man among boys at times during his Oklahoma career, Lamb is still making Texas defenders miss. He is hands down not only the best after-the-catch threat in this class, but perhaps in all of football.
Combine that with his ability to make contested catches, his insanely sharp routes and his potential to take any throw the distance, and he’s the 1B to Jerry Jeudy’s 1A. Line him up anywhere, just get him the ball.
This is an absolute steal and a must-get for the Cowboys at 17.”
USA Today: A
“Receiver wasn’t a pressing need for Dallas, but who cares? Lamb is the best receiver in this class and now he’s being dropped into what was an elite passing game in 2019. The Oklahoma star does it all: He can win deep, he can win short, he’s a beast after the catch and he dominated in contested catch situations. The Cowboys could not pass up on a talent like that. Jerry better get Dak Prescott’s contract done soon, because he’s about to put up monster numbers in 2020.”
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