FRISCO, Texas – Coming off a 9-7 season with no playoff appearance, the Cowboys passing game struggled in 2017. One of the Cowboys’ main focus points going into the 2018 Draft and free agency was acquiring several receivers to fit in with Dak Prescott’s quarterback style. They wanted to add depth to the X, Y, and slot positions. The Cowboys picked up receiver, Allen Hurns, in 2018 as a free agent from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hurns is with the first team offense filling the X receiver position, to beat corners off the jam at the line of scrimmage and to get down the sideline to make a play. Hurns has the speed and has averaged at least 5.0 yards after the catch since the start of 2014, his first year in the NFL with the Jaguars. He had a career high in 2015 accumulating 64 receptions for 1,031 yards, and an average of 12.4. His numbers went down during his last two years with the Jags in 2016 and 2017, 35 receptions for 477 yards in 2016 and 39 receptions for 484 yards in 2017.
Hurns remarked to D210 on the current competition within the receiving core “In our room you have a lot of guys that have a lot to prove. You have me, not coming off my best two years and Beasley and Williams did not have their best year last year. We have a lot to prove but I like being in a room like that because each day we push each other. “
The competition is brining out the standard of excellence that the Cowboys expect, underneath the continued pressure of each day closer to the final 53-man roster.
He also discussed the corners that are helping him develop as a player from man-to-man press coverage in practice “ Especially Byron with his length and speed. That helped me a lot and also Chido. He is one of the more patient corners that we have. You can see from his play the other night that is a guy that comes in everyday to work. “
In the first preseason matchup against the 49ers, he had one reception for 13 yards. In the second preseason matchup against the Bengals, he finished with 2 receptions for 13 yards and an average of 6.5 yards after the catch. Hurns is on the right track to hold his No.1 X receiver position. He has continued to find chemistry with Prescott down the sideline on key plays during practice. He continues to grow during reps and is right where the Cowboys want him.
