Inside The Star
Wide receiver number two is a big problem for the Dallas Cowboys, and the team’s lack of a playmaker outside CeeDee Lamb was evident last season.
The Cowboys’ offensive coaching staff may already have a wide receiver on the roster who could play Robin to Lamb’s Batman.
As a second-year player, Ryan Flournoy may be the man needed for the job. He was used sparingly last year and could see an influx of snaps this coming season.
Ryan Flournoy was the Cowboys’ sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Southeast Missouri State of the Ohio Valley Conference in the Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
Coming out of a lower-level Division 1 conference, growing pains should be expected.
While at Southeast Missouri State, Flournoy had 1,823 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, and averaged 15.4 yards per reception in 22 of 24 games over two years.
Coming into the 2024 NFL Draft, Ryan Flournoy was 6’2” and 202 lbs and ran a 4.44 forty-yard dash.
His other measurables that caught the attention of the Dallas Cowboys scouting department were his 11-foot broad jump, which ranked in the 97th percentile, his 39.5-foot vertical jump, which ranked in the 91st percentile, and his 19 bench press reps.
His scouting summary was also interesting:
Ryan Flournoy is a physical player with the tangibles that scream upside in the later rounds of the draft. His combine numbers are off the charts, showcasing elite explosiveness and agility that make him a vertical threat and a mismatch in jump-ball scenarios. However, his time against lower-tier competition leaves questions about his ability to hold up against much better DBs he’ll see in the pro game.
On tape, Flournoy flashes the ability to win with his frame and speed, capitalizing on mismatches in the red zone and stretching defenses deep. Yet, his route tree is somewhat raw, and his releases against press coverage can lack the finesse needed. Moreover, his age suggests a narrower window for developmental strides, making his rookie impact a critical evaluation point.
Overall, Flournoy’s draft stock hinges on his ceiling as a dynamic playmaker who can be schemed into space and utilized for his YAC (yards after catch) capabilities. If he can develop a more sophisticated route inventory and improve his engagement as a blocker, he has the makings of a solid rotational piece in an NFL offense.
The summary shows a receiver with elite intangibles who needs time to adapt to the NFL’s speed.
After spending one year with an NFL coaching staff and players, getting some NFL snaps could mean that year two will be significant.
Playing a year with Cooper Rush did not do the rookie any favors in his development, but having a healthy Dak Prescott will elevate his game in 2025.
As mentioned above, Ryan Flournoy’s rookie season was stunted when Dak Prescott suffered a major injury, ending the quarterback’s season.
Having Cooper Rush...
