CeeDee Lamb is prepping to change into the Cowboys' No. 1 receiver this upcoming season.
And after the crew parted methods with Amari Cooper through the offseason, the younger stalwart has no alternative however to step into the position.
It is a activity he says he is able to tackle.
"I have been prepared," Lamb stated final week concerning his new duty. "That is simply me and my competitiveness. That is in my nature. It is sort of how we grew up taking part in soccer. I am all the time prepared for my identify to be known as.
"Simply stepping up no matter any scenario," Lamb emphasised as certainly one of his central targets for 2022. "First down, second down — simply all the time being that man that everybody can rely on. I wish to be that man."
Lamb hauled in 79 catches for 1,102 yards and 6 TDs in 2021 as Dak Prescott's second choice behind Cooper final season.
However with out Coop within the combine this season, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore may have alternatives to shift No. 88 into totally different slots alongside the road of scrimmage. In keeping with FOX Sports activities author Bucky Brooks, that freedom to maneuver may internet him an upwards of 1,500 yards subsequent season.
In a Friday article posted to NFL.com, Brooks wrote:
If Lamb will get touches as ceaselessly as most No. 1 receivers across the league — the top-10 goal totals ranged from 146 to 191 final season — he ought to simply prime the 100-catch mark and end with someplace round 1,500 receiving yards. It is fairly potential he may rack up double-digit touchdowns, too. These sorts of numbers won't solely put him into consideration as a top-five receiver, however he may vie for the receiving triple crown (receptions, receiving yards and landing receptions) if Dak Prescott finds him early and sometimes within the passing sport.
'Boys head coach Mike McCarthy is anticipating rather a lot from the previous Sooner as properly.
"This can be a nice alternative for him personally," McCarthy stated this week. "I feel simply the best way we have established the offense, notably within the passing sport, the flexibility for these guys to play totally different positions, to create matchups and make it tougher on the protection to double you and people kind of issues — my level is, taking part in within the slot rather a lot final yr and now taking part in the flanker place (the place Cooper performed).
"And we perceive his rise in 12 months 3, that he will get much more consideration from the protection. However he is doing the entire little issues which can be wanted to get him able to be the No. 1 man."
And in crew proprietor Jerry Jones' thoughts, Lamb is already a step up from Cooper.
Jones informed the Fort Price Star-Telegram that Lamb can be an improve over Dallas' former WR1, citing Cooper's damage points as one motive for that. He emphasised that he wasn't slighting Cooper, however opining that Lamb was a extra full choice as a result of his "manufacturing, within the huddle and off the sphere."
Similar to his proprietor, Lamb's totally assured in his personal skills, and he is getting nearer to Prescott by the day by day with a brand new locker proper subsequent to his QB. That, plus 10 kilos of added muscle may spell hassle for plenty of secondaries across the league.
