Three playmaking wide receivers the Cowboys need to have their scope on

Dallas is almost there, but needs a little more explosiveness on offense

PublishedOctober 27, 2022

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Start Slideshow

Image for article titled Three playmaking wide receivers the Cowboys need to have their scope on — Photo: Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys are currently in a position to make the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since the beginning of the Tony Romo era in 2006 and 2007. They’ve been good thus far, standing 5-2 after seven games, but if they wish to do more than make the playoffs, they’ll need to make another big Jerry Jones splash move on the offensive side of the ball.

Dallas’ owner and general manager Jerry Jones did make one move before the Nov. 1 trade deadline by acquiring Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins for a ‘23 sixth-round draft pick. That move won’t put them over the top and make them a legitimate threat to win the NFC.

Jones needs to make a move at the wide receiver position and add one more playmaker to make this offense as explosive as it once was. After trading Amari Cooper in the offseason and losing Cedric Wilson Jr. to free agency, the Cowboys entered the season thin at the position. Add the injured Michael Gallup, who missed the first three games of the season recovering from ACL surgery, and you can see why Dallas ranks 26th in passing yards through seven games.

Last year Dallas produced the No. 1 passing offense in the NFL, and they’ve dropped considerably this season. Of course, not having three of their top four receivers to start the year was a factor, and Dak Prescott missing five games also plays a part in the lack of explosiveness we’ve seen in Big D.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

2 / 5

Odell Beckham Jr. – Free Agent

If the Cowboys are to make a move to add a new wideout to the team, Odell Beckham Jr. is a name that should be kept in mind. Dallas wouldn’t need to trade any assets to acquire Beckham and wouldn’t be on a timeline of doing it by next Tuesday’s deadline. They can wait until he’s healthy to offer a one-year deal to bring him to Dallas for the rest of the season. Lining up against OBJ, Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb would be a nightmare for opposing secondaries down the stretch of the regular season. Betting on Beckham would be a tremendous gamble at this point, but it worked out for the Rams last year.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

3 / 5

Jerry Jeudy – Denver Broncos

Making a deal for Jeudy would likely require multiple draft picks, but he’d be worth it, for the Cowboys are in the thick of the NFC East race chasing the Giants and Eagles. Jeudy is floundering in Denver and by not much fault of his own. Jeudy has the talent to be one of the upper-echelon receivers, but unfortunately, he’s been saddled with less-than-average quarterbacks in his first three years in the league.

Just when he thought he’d stumbled upon an elite QB with Russell Wilson, that turned out to be a mirage. For whatever reason, Wilson hasn’t worked out in Nathaniel Hackett’s offense, even though Jeudy’s stats aren’t horrible. He’s caught 47 balls in seven games, putting him on pace for over 100 catches. But Jeudy is only on pace to barely crack 935 yards for the season. A change of scenery could be in order for Jeudy. And playing alongside those weapons in Dallas might spark something the rest of the NFC isn’t ready for.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

4 / 5

Chase Claypool – Pittsburgh Steelers

Chase Claypool would be a significant addition to this Cowboys’ offense as he’d give them a big receiving target they haven’t had since Dez Bryant. Claypool is 6-foot-4, and nearly 240 pounds. and could really help open up the field for Lamb and Gallup. Lamb is still learning what it means to be a No. 1 receiving target in the NFL, so the Cowboys need as many weapons as possible scattered throughout this offense. Having a big body like Claypool’s to catch passes downfield is a luxury the Cowboys need and should seriously consider acquiring.

Whatever Jones does over the next few days, he should be on the phone talking about how he can snag one of these guys for the Cowboys. Even with Prescott back in the lineup, the offense could be better and could use at least one more playmaker if they intend to seriously compete in the NFC late into the season.

5 / 5