Why Cowboys receiver Ceedee Lamb will exceed expectations in 2021

This year has all the makings of a massive season for Ceedee Lamb.

How did the league let CeeDee Lamb fall to 17? Cowboy fans are still asking that very question. The Cowboys are grateful for the league’s mistake, and Lamb was able to pop on the scene with a very impressive rookie season that saw much turmoil at the quarterback position for Dallas.

Lamb had the displeasure of catching a pass from four different quarterbacks while playing just over four games with QB1 Dak Prescott. Still, with all the uncertainty around him, Lamb was able to produce 74 receptions, 935 yards, and five receiving TDs in his rookie campaign. One could wonder just how special his first season in the NFL could have been if it wasn’t for Prescott’s injury. While Dak was in the lineup Lamb was able to accumulate 29 receptions while leading the team in receiving yards with 433 and adding two TDs in the first five games. The game never seemed too big for the young rookie wide receiver. Every year rookies go through an adjustment period where it takes time to acclimate to the speed, tempo, and intensity of an NFL game. In Lamb’s case, he looked like he belonged from day one and found a role early coming off of a strange offseason that saw rookies league wide have a disadvantage compared to years past.

Lamb functioned as a top-tier NFL slot receiver in 2020. Much of his production and route running was from the slot which allowed his athletic ability to shine and give him the advantage of two way go’s. However, as the team moves forward into the new year, it is believed that Lamb will see a bigger opportunity on the outside. The Cowboys did not draft Lamb to be a specific slot player but based on his skill set and the personnel around him, it made out to be a match made in heaven. 2021 will see his game develop to being a complete wide receiver that can not only win from the inside consistently, but also have the ability to take off the top and win vertically on the outside. His ability to do so will not only help the Cowboys offense immensely, but will only grow the respect and fear among cornerbacks around the league, all while providing opportunities for his other teammates like Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup who are playmakers in their own right.

There is little doubt Lamb has been putting in the work this offseason. Pictures and videos have surfaced of Lamb on social media that show just how devoted he has been to his craft. Year 2 Lamb looks to be much bigger and has developed an NFL body after his first season. Historically speaking, the progress made from year one to year two for a player’s body is noticeable. Getting a full offseason of being in a team’s program, coupled with the maturity and understanding of what it takes to be successful after experiencing NFL action for the first time, typically pushes players to devote themselves to exactly what they need to improve going forward.

Lamb developing more strength will only add to the freakish ability he already possesses and will prove to serve him well moving forward in his career.

Lamb prides himself on his footwork and route running ability and is only looking to sharpen his tools while adding new knowledge and techniques to his bag.

Just how good Lamb could be is still unknown and It feels as if the surface has just been scratched.

Prescott is expecting big things stating:

“My expectations are super-high,” Prescott told 105.3 The Fan. “I’m so excited for CeeDee. … He’s a special playmaker that we’re privileged to have and he’ll be big-time and definitely have a breakout season.”

The reality is we, as fans, were robbed of an opportunity for a truly special rookie year due to injuries and things out of his own control. Lamb himself would tell you he has things to work on and he would be the first to tell you he had a few too many drops as well. The fact remains, the kid has the ‘it’ factor and there is no question why Jerry Jones and the rest of the Jones family wanted him to wear the 88 and be the next member of that exclusive club. The sky is the limit and the young man has all the tools and make up you look for in the leagues next big star.

From an increased workload in this offense and position flex as an inside and outside wide receiver, the Cowboys are poised to use him to his full ability in 2021. The bar has been set for Ceedee Lamb this year and there’s reason to believe that not only will he meet that expectation but explode right past it.