It’s not often that your franchise wide receiver is one of the least-talked about guys on the roster, but that’s been CeeDee Lamb’s offseason. As his fellow starter and even the backup have been getting a lot of attention, Lamb’s been almost taken for granted as a returning superstar in the Cowboys offense.
Background
Years in NFL: 6
Acquired by: 2020 1st-round pick
It’s a tale most Cowboys fans already know well. In 2020, the Cowboys already had Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup as a solid starting duo of receiver. But when Lamb, generally considered a top-10 talent, fell to them at the 17th pick, it was too much value to turn down. Dallas scooped Lamb up, likely preventing him from becoming an Eagle within the next few picks.
Lamb, Cooper, and Gallup formed a three-headed monster, each getting over 100 targets on the season. But with Mike McCarthy replacing Jason Garrett, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team wasn’t in great shape to take advantage of its strength at receiver. The team was 1-3 even before Dak Prescott’s major leg injury, then there was only so much Kellen Moore’s offense could do to counter a terrible defensive year. Lamb still had a great rookie season with 935 yards and five touchdowns, but the best was yet to come.
In 2021, Lamb began several streaks that remain in effect to this day. It was his first 1,000-yard season, his first trip to the Pro Bowl, and his first year as Dallas’ top receiver. His ascension to franchise status was a factor in Cooper being traded away the following offseason. In 2023, Lamb would earn a First-Team All-Pro nod as the NFL receptions leader, also breaking Dallas single-season records for receptions and receiving touchdowns that Michael Irvin had held since 1995.
While he’s missed a couple of games each of the last two years, and played hurt through others, Lamb has never relinquished his top spot in the offense. George Pickens is the only Dallas WR to even come close to challenging him, but that debate will continue into next year. What a nice problem for the Cowboys to have!
Contract Status
Years Left: 3
2026 Cap Hit: $19.7 million
Lamb’s cap hit is well below his average annual salary of $34 million thanks to restructuring and void years. As such, the dead money against his contract makes him almost uncuttable through 2027 and perhaps even the final year. Thankfully, he’ll only be 29 in 2028, so there’s plenty of optimism for Lamb remaining a potent offensive weapon for the duration of the contract.
2026 Projections
Role: Starting WR
Roster Chance: 100%
Well, this one’s easy. Lamb will be right back in his usual spot as a favorite weapon for Dak Prescott. While fans and media may clamor over who is Dallas’ top receiver between him and Pickens, the players don’t seem remotely concerned about it. Both guys can eat in this high-volume offense, with plenty left on the table for Jake Ferguson, Ryan Flournoy, and others.
Even if Pickens does remain the Cowboys’ most productive receiver in 2026, Lamb’s going to be fine. He’s got his money, and seems to be one of Pickens’ number-one fans on the roster. He and Prescott have both done a great job of helping Pickens feel welcomed in Dallas after leaving a rough situation in Pittsburgh, and continue to express support during this offseason’s contract issues.
It’s good to have guys you can count on, and especially when they’re also among the elite players at key positions. CeeDee Lamb was a gift in 2020 and has kept on giving ever since. There’s no reason to think that will change this year.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | S Justin Barron | G T.J. Bass | C Cooper Beebe | CB DaRon Bland | G Tyler Booker | CB Josh Butler | S Alijah Clark | OT Ajani Cornelius | RB Malik Davis | DT Tommy Dunn | CB Cobie Durant | OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku | TE Princeton Fant | TE Jake Ferguson | WR Ryan Flournoy | C Matt Hennessy | S Malik Hooker | OLB James Houston | QB Sam Howell | WR Jordan Hudson | LB Shemar James | G Trevor Keegan | CB Derion Kendrick | OLB Isaiah Land | OLB Marist Liufau | S P.J. Locke | FB Hunter Luepke | RB Phil Mafah | QB Joe Milton III | WR Jonathan Mingo | CB Devin Moore | DT Otito Ogbonnia | LB DeMarvion Overshown | TE DJ Rogers | TE Luke Schoonmaker | LS Trent Sieg | WR Anthony Smith | TE Brevyn Spann-Ford | OT Terence Steele | CB Reddy Steward | OT Nate Thomas | S Jalen Thompson | DT Jay Toia | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling | OLB Tyrus Wheat | RB Javonte Williams | OLB Sam Williams | DT D.J. Withers | S Julius Wood
