CeeDee Lamb is without question the most important Cowboy on offense outside of Dak Prescott.
The Dallas Cowboys have had a storied history when it comes to the wide receiver position. Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin, and Dez Bryant, among others. Not only does the star shine a bit brighter under the spotlight in Dallas, but the weight of No. 88 can be a lot to carry.
CeeDee Lamb has handled that pressure effortlessly and carved his own way to becoming one of the top receivers over the past five years. In Jeremy Fowler’s annual poll of league executives, coaches, and scouts, they feel the same way about Lamb, ranking him as the fourth-best wide receiver heading into 2025.
4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 10
Age: 26 | Last year’s ranking: 4
Lamb has checked many boxes required by an elite receiver. He had a banner season in 2023, with 135 receptions (league-high), 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has had no true down years. He’s a perennial All-Pro first- or second-teamer. And he can produce through adversity, including multiple injuries to Dak Prescott and a bad running game.
“Excellent out of the slot, easy mover, can sink and bend,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “Very good after the catch and excellent ball carrier vision.”
We won’t even entertain the conversation of an evaluator (reminder: this is a person who is employed by a team in the National Football League) ranking Lamb as the tenth-best wide receiver.
As Fowler points out, Lamb is able to produce regardless of his situation. When Dak Prescott is at his best, like he was in 2023, Lamb looks like the best at his position. When Prescott has missed time and Lamb has had to play with Andy Dalton and Cooper Rush, he continued to produce.
Lamb has been the No. 1 target in Dallas since Amari Cooper was traded to the Cleveland Browns. The hope was that a healthy Michael Gallup could complement his skillset well, and the development of Jalen Tolbert would create a solid trio of wideouts. Unfortunately, Gallup couldn’t return to his old self after the ACL injury, and Tolbert is trying to solidify his role entering the final year of his rookie deal.
The Cowboys couldn’t wait any longer. To shift the opponent’s focus off Lamb and create more opportunities, they had to add a dynamic No. 2 option, which led them to George Pickens.
The newest addition to Dallas’ passing game also made the list in the “received a vote” category. With both playmakers working together this year, Lamb should still be able to get his fair share of targets in a more “help me, help you” situation. A career year with the Cowboys could elevate Pickens on the list, especially if he signs a huge contract with another team next offseason.
With a revamped offensive line, a healthy Prescott, and the optimism of an improved offense with continuity under Brian Schottenheimer, Lamb could be poised to at least match the best statistical season of his career.