The Dallas Cowboys offense revolves around two players: Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. In 2023, the pair connected on 12 touchdowns and over 1,700 receiving yards. That dominating regular season effort led to a second-place MVP finish for Prescott and a third-place OPOY finish for Lamb.
This time around, don’t expect the Cowboys offense to be any different. The show down in Dallas runs through the star quarterback and his star receiver.
However, as we saw in that dreadful playoff game against Green Bay, there has to be a backup plan. For whatever reason, Prescott and Lamb could not connect and the entire operation fell apart.
End of the 1st in Arlington: Packers 7, Cowboys 0
QB Dak Prescott: 1 of 4, 0 yards, 1 INT
RB Tony Pollard: 2 carries, 7 yards
WR CeeDee Lamb: 0 catches, 0 yardsPack QB Jordan Love: 6 of 9, 81 yards
Pack RB Aaron Jones: 8 carries, 26 yards, 1 TD— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) January 14, 2024
This exposed a major flaw in the Cowboys’ offensive game plan: limiting CeeDee Lamb means stopping Dallas entirely.
That has to change this season if the Cowboys want real postseason success.
Heading into 2024, somebody has to step up as the clearcut second option for Dak Prescott in the passing game. The Cowboys offense will be one of the league’s best, and whichever guy steps into that role will reap the benefits.
There are two main contenders for this job, so let’s take a good look at both of them.
Tight End Jake Ferguson
If the Cowboys have one guy who is on the cusp of becoming a star, it is Jake Ferguson.
The former third-round pick out of Wisconsin went from just 22 targets in his rookie year to 102 in his sophomore campaign. He reeled in 71 of those, leading to five touchdowns, over 700 yards, and a Pro Bowl nod.
Whether it be his athleticism catching the ball, fierce competitiveness, personality, or overall tenacity, Ferguson is the whole package.
Jake Ferguson hurdle!#SEAvsDAL on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/YcXzMZb8jY pic.twitter.com/PJin9tg6uf— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2023
His chemistry with Prescott also blossomed, and it was evident on game day last year. In just two years, he has become an elite tight end.
The big question for Ferguson to answer is whether he will take the next step and cement himself as the second option to Lamb.
When you hear talk of the league’s best tight ends, Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, and T.J. Hockenson get the first mentions.
For the Cowboys offense to really take off, Jake Ferguson needs to join that elite group.
An All-Pro level season from him could be the thing that propels the Cowboys as a whole to the next level. It is a tall ask for the 25-year-old, but one I believe he can fulfill as we head into the 2024 season.
Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks
The other option to take the torch as the second option is veteran Wide Receiver, Brandin Cooks.
For lack of a more eloquent description of him, Cooks is an absolute dog on the field.
Despite his small size, it just seems that he makes the toughest catches, plays the hardest, and will always out-muscle a defensive back to reel a ball in.
Cooks had a slow start to his career in Dallas, but he took off as the 2023 season went on.
This was the second-straight game that Brandin Cooks had at least five catches after only having that many catches once over his previous 14 games. I love it when they get this guy involved and that's going to be crucial for a strong postseason run. pic.twitter.com/mTgjlKxPmp
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) January 9, 2024
He caught five of his eight touchdowns from the Thanksgiving game onward, and his chemistry with Dak Prescott seemed to increase each week.
The Cowboys’ offense saw increased point totals and success when Brandin Cooks got the ball more often. With Michael Gallup out of the picture, he is the only true veteran wide receiver outside of CeeDee Lamb.
This means that regardless of whether he beats out Ferguson as the second option, he has a lot to carry in the wide receiver room.
2024 will be the 30-year-old’s 11th year in the league and the last on his contract with the Dallas Cowboys.
Brandin Cooks contract:
2 years, $20 million, $12 million guaranteedBonus: $8 million
2023 base salary: $4m (guaranteed)
2024 base salary: $8m
2025: voidable
2026: voidable2023 cap number: $6m
Houston paid $6 million to Cooks, giving him $18m guaranteed this year.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 21, 2023
So, whether Cooks continues putting up numbers will dictate how much longer he sticks around the league.
The Cowboys offense needs a big year from Brandin Cooks, especially considering Jake Ferguson’s relative inexperience. Even if Cooks has that kind of year, it might not be enough to top Ferguson as the second option for Dak Prescott.
