FRISCO, TEXAS — The Dallas Cowboys selected wide receiver CeeDee Lamb with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Cowboys never expected Lamb to be left on the board but things worked out in their favor. The best WR of this year’s talent-filled draft class will join Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup in Dallas.
At Oklahoma, Lamb played inside and outside in Lincoln Riley’s air raid offensive attack that utilizes short passes in a spread formation. Lamb is explosive on routes creating separation from defenders and is effective working the middle of the field. He finished his collegiate career with 32 touchdown receptions (2nd in school history), 3,292 receiving yards (3rd), and 14, 100-yard receiving games.
Lamb excelled on the field playing for three different starting QB’s at Oklahoma: Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts- all were mobile quarterbacks able to extend drives using their legs. CeeDee not only has incredible ball skills but also is an eager blocker, which opens up seams for his QB or other offensive weapons. He will now have the opportunity to work with dual-threat Dak Prescott.
I spoke with head coach Mike McCarthy following Lamb’s selection on how his blocking ability and versatility will benefit Dak and the offense. He told me, “ He’s a complete player. It plays to his personality, not only the way he plays with the ball in his hands, but when he is blocking for somebody else. Definitely, I think with the ability to have a mobile quarterback who can both scramble and run, it will definitely be an asset.”
With Randall Cobb’s departure to the Houston Texans in free agency, the Cowboys were in need of a slot receiver and Lamb is the answer to their prayers. He can do it all. He is a guy that defenses have to game plan around and is a nightmare for corners with his ability to contort his body in order to make insane catches. Lamb has great instincts and will likely make a smooth transition into Mike McCarthy and Kellen Moore’s innovative spread offense.
I asked Lamb about working with Dak and he chimed, “ Help him. Help me. I want to complement him and do what we love.”
Today, it was not just Lamb’s dream that became a reality. Sure, he is now an NFL player for the most storied franchise in the league but the Cowboys also got a wish that came true. Team personnel did speak with Lamb at the combine but did not do much communication with the star receiver otherwise because they did not think there would be a possibility he could still be there at No.17. Today for Dallas, everything fell into place.
“An experience in the draft I never dreamed, “ Jerry Jones exclaimed to media after Lamb’s selection. Indeed it was.
Welcome to the Cowboys CeeDee Lamb!!
