Inside The Star
The Dallas Cowboys will not be representing The Star in the 2025 NFL Playoffs, but there are still some good things to take away from the season.
For one, the offense was electric, and only seemed to struggle when forced to play one-dimensionally because the defense couldn’t get a stop to save their lives.
QB Dak Prescott is at the head of the league’s top-scoring offense.
With weapons like wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens to throw to, it’s no wonder he led the league in passing yards until sitting out the second half of the Week 18 finale in New York.
The offense was also supported by the rebirth of a strong running game.
Carried by the legs of RB Javonte Williams, but schemed up by new OC Klayton Adams and OL Coach Conor Riley, the Dallas run game was a perfect complement to Prescott’s strength: passing out of play action.
Considering the plethora of options at Prescott’s disposal, it’s no surprise the offense was so successful.
One surprise in that equation, however, is a player many fans were begging the coaching staff to give more opportunities to.
Once he did get a chance to show what he could do, WR Ryan Flournoy did not waste his opportunity.
If you aren’t familiar with #19 Ryan Flournoy, you better get acclimated quickly because he will be a force to be reckoned with next season.
The 2024 sixth-round pick spent most of the season buried in the depth behind Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo, patiently awaiting his chance.
His efforts on special teams, and taking advantage of his opportunity when Lamb went down for four games with a high ankle sprain put Flournoy on the map, and he won’t be going away.
Flournoy finished the season with a 40/475/4 stat line, and his breakout game came in the Big Apple against the New York Jets.
Prescott hit Flournoy six times for 114 yards in the 37-22 victory, and the sophomore wide receiver inserted himself into the offensive rotation.
Later in the season, he bested his career high once again. This time, in Detroit to assist in the shootout versus the Lions.
Flournoy collected nine receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown in the loss, but his impact was made after clutch catches in crucial situations.
Prescott has gained trust in Flournoy, and he ended the season as the WR3 in 11-personnel (1RB/3WR) packages.
If you compare Ryan Flournoy’s 2025 season with other notable wide receivers from his draft class, you come away with an even bigger sense of excitement.
Here are notable wide receivers from the 2024 NFL Draft class with comparable 2025 seasons.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs, 1st Round (28th overall)
The Kansas City Chiefs are quarterbacked by arguably the best player in the world, Patrick Mahomes.
Xavier Worthy to the Chiefs in the first round last year seemed like a home run pick, and there were some signs of that....
