Blogging The Boys
When is the last time the Cowboys truly had three wide receivers that opposing defenses all had to worry about, plus a strong run game?
Cowboys WR room is deeper than you think
By now, you know all about CeeDee Lamb and Pickens. The duo terrorized defenses throughout 2025, and there’s little reason to believe that slows down in 2026. But the conversation should extend beyond those two.
Ryan Flournoy’s rise last season was one of the quieter storylines in the NFL. He was cut on roster cutdown day, cleared waivers, and re-signed with the team. He wasn’t supposed to carry a significant role. And yet, when Lamb went down with an injury, Flournoy posted a 114-yard game against the New York Jets. By the end of the season, the Cowboys were even designing plays specifically for him. By midseason, he was the clear No. 3 receiver on the offense.
Contrary to last year’s offseason, Flournoy was already a big part of the Cowboys’ vision throughout OTAs and minicamp. The same will apply for training camp in late July.
The dangerous Cowboys wide receiver duo talk should shift to discuss a dangerous trio.
Then there’s Pickens, who is going to take on a larger role. Last year, the Cowboys initially leaned on what they had seen on his Pittsburgh Steelers film, but Lamb’s injury forced them to expand Pickens’ responsibilities. They asked him to be the No. 1 receiver temporarily, and he proved he could handle it.
Following an All-Pro caliber season, Dallas is talking about moving him around the formation, expanding his route tree, and adding to his repertoire. Year 2 in the system should unlock another level for one of the most exciting players on the team.
The depth chart is not in seventh-round pick Anthony Smith’s favor, but it will be exciting to see how his speed can make a difference this summer season.
What’s Next:
For the Cowboys, seventh-round picks are certainly not locks to make the roster just because of draft status. However, speedy players who show up on tape, especially in preseason games, tend to find a spot on the roster, or at least the practice squad. And that’s what Smith has to do – make the most of his opportunities on the biggest stage.
What he has going for him is the combination of size and speed. The Cowboys have a few receivers with his height of 6-2, and they have some speedsters like him as well, but not many that possess both qualities. That’s what he has to use to his advantage of play big and play fast to...
