The Dallas Cowboys wide receiver room is star studded.
Between Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup, you would assume there aren’t targets to be had for any other passing threats, let alone touchdowns.
But early on in the 2020 season, that assumption was wrong. With quarterback Dak Prescott healthy, Dallas’ passing game was prolific each week, providing ample opportunity for the Cowboys wide receivers and tight ends.
One of the main beneficiaries of this increased volume, was second year wide out Cedrick Wilson.
Wilson was not targeted once during the team’s first two games of the season, but week three against Seattle he had a breakout performance. That afternoon Wilson caught 5 balls on 7 targets for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Against a depleted secondary which focused it’s resources on the headlining targets beside him, Cedrick Wilson had a monster game.
Before Prescott’s injury Wilson would see a combined 10 targets the next two weeks, but once he was left to deal with backup quarterbacks, Wilson only saw 11 targets the remainder of the season. Yes, 11 targets over the team’s final 11 games.
Cowboys WR Cedrick Wilson's first career TD came with Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright in man coverage. "I'm thinking he is probably going to zone off. I really didn't think they were going to play man coverage on me with a linebacker." Then it happened. "All I had to do was run." pic.twitter.com/patYvjLfgp
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 2, 2020
No one expects Cedrick Wilson to be a focal point of the Cowboys offense, but I do think he proved he can fill a much needed role in Dallas going forward as a WR4 who can spot start due to injury. Wilson isn’t the separator that CeeDee Lamb is, nor the consistently electric route runner Amari Cooper is, but he is the perfect man for that WR4 role in 2021.
Plus, who could forget that extra trick play element that Wilson brings as a passer.
The Cowboys have never lost a game in which Cedrick Wilson threw a passpic.twitter.com/ifhKL2OQA5
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) November 8, 2020
With Dak Prescott back under center in 2021, I would expect to see those 4 wide receiver sets once again. Prescott might be at his best when he’s in empty, with the field spread and speed on the field.
Let Wilson see similar snap counts as he did against Seattle, Cleveland, and New York with Prescott next season, and don’t be surprised if he becomes fantasy football players’ worst nightmare as he steals targets away from the stars.
I’m going to sound like a broken record all offseason, but if this thing goes according to plan, the 2021 Cowboys offense can be the best in football.
