The Dallas Cowboys offense revolves around two players: Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
There needs to be a backup plan in place because the Cowboys offense relies heavily on its star quarterback and receiver, as demonstrated in that awful playoff game against Green Bay.
In 2023, the duo connected for 12 touchdowns and over 1,700 receiving yards. Prescott and Lamb finished second and third, respectively, as the MVP and OPOY, respectively, for their outstanding regular season effort.
Prescott and Lamb could not get along for whatever reason, and the whole thing collapsed.
This revealed a critical hole in the Cowboys’ offensive strategy: stopping Dallas completely involves limiting Lamb. If the Cowboys are to have any meaningful success in the postseason this year, that has to alter.
As 2024 approaches, someone needs to emerge as Prescott’s unquestionable backup in the passing game. Regardless of who assumes that role, the Cowboys offensive will rank among the best in the league.
There are two main contenders for this job, so let’s take a good look at both of them.
Tight End, Jake Ferguson
If the Cowboys have one guy who is on the cusp of becoming a star, it is Jake Ferguson.
The former third-round pick out of Wisconsin went from just 22 targets in his rookie year to 102 in his sophomore campaign.
He reeled in 71 of those, leading to five touchdowns, over 700 yards, and a Pro Bowl nod.
Whether it be his athleticism in pass-catching, fierce competitiveness, personality, or overall tenacity, Ferguson is the whole package.
He also developed a great rapport with Prescott, which was apparent on game day the previous season.
He has advanced to become a premier tight end in just two years. Ferguson must decide whether to advance and establish himself as Lamb’s backup plan.
This is the crucial decision. Mark Andrews, George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and Travis Kelce are the first names that come to mind when discussing the top tight ends in the NFL.
Ferguson needs to become a member of that exclusive group if the Cowboys offense is to really take off. He might have an All-Pro caliber season and be the catalyst for Dallas’s overall success.
Although it is a high expectation for the 25-year-old, going into the 2024 season, I think he can meet it.
Wide Receiver, Brandin Cooks
The other option to take the torch as the second option is veteran Wide Receiver, Brandin Cooks.
For lack of a more eloquent description of him, Cooks is an absolute dog on the field.
Despite his small size, it just seems that he makes the toughest catches, plays the hardest, and will always out-muscle a defensive back to reel a ball in.
Cooks had a slow start to his career in Dallas, but he took off as the 2023 season went on.
He caught five of his eight touchdowns from the Thanksgiving mark onward, and his chemistry with Prescott seemed to increase each week.
The Cowboys’ offense saw increased point totals and success when Cooks got the ball more often.
With Michael Gallup out of the picture, he is the only true veteran wide receiver outside of Lamb.
This means that regardless of whether he beats Ferguson as the second option, he has a lot to carry in the wide receiver room.
2024 will be the 30-year-olds 11th year in the league and the last on his contract.
So, whether Cooks continues putting up numbers will dictate how much longer he sticks around the league.
The Cowboys offense needs a big year from Cooks, especially considering Ferguson’s relative inexperience.
Even if Cooks has that kind of year, it might not be enough to top Ferguson as the second option for Prescott.
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