Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is entering the final year of his rookie contract and could holdout for a better deal. A first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Oklahoma product quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous secondary options in the game. While playing behind Amari Cooper, the wide receiver recorded a combined 153 receptions for 2,037 yards and 11 touchdowns through his first two seasons.
The Cowboys traded Amari Cooper following the 2021 season, leaving Lamb as the top option in the passing attack. The third-year receiver was up for the task, eliminating any doubt about his ability to be one of the best receivers in the game. Last year, CeeDee Lamb won First-Team All-Pro honors while recording 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, and now the receiver could holdout for a deserved extension.
According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, CeeDee Lamb is expected to skip voluntary OTA’s and could continue his holdout into mandatory minicamp.
A holdout could be arriving for Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb, who isn’t expected to attend the team’s OTAs, per @dallasnews pic.twitter.com/8HYjhvebAo
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 8, 2024
CeeDee Lamb Could Holdout, Potentially Miss Minicamp
Nobody should blame CeeDee Lamb for his holdout, as the wide receiver is long overdue for a massive extension. Lamb was effectively the Cowboys entire passing attack last year, as the wide receiver led the league in receptions while compensating for the depleted abilities of Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks. Without him, Dallas doesn’t stand a chance of winning a competitive NFC East.
Chances are, the CeeDee Lamb holdout will end with a new contract. Wide receivers have never been more important than in today’s pass-heavy NFL, and Lamb is one of the best in the game. However, this is the Dallas Cowboys we’re talking about, and you never know what Jerry Jones will do. As it is, this team needs to sign quarterback Dak Prescott and star edge rusher Micah Parsons, so there might not be enough money left over for Lamb. Some teams should be willing to give up multiple first-round picks for his services, and the Cowboys could entertain a few offers.
Potential Trade Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
At first glance, parting ways with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams implies that head coach Jim Harbaugh does not value the wide receiver position. However, Allen and Williams both carried massive cap hits and had extensive injury risks. Harbaugh should have no issue with paying top dollar for an elite wide receiver, and that’s what he’d be getting if he ends the CeeDee Lamb holdout. This team needs a wide receiver in the worst way, and a quarterback as great as Justin Herbert should be able to dominate the league with a receiver as good as Lamb.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots will get their quarterback of the future with the third-overall pick. However, if they want that potential franchise passer to succeed, they’ll need to give him an elite weapon. Just looking within the AFC East, Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill helped develop Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa, respectively. If the CeeDee Lamb holdout progresses throughout the offseason, New England could have Lamb be that guy for their next quarterback.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers spent the offseason trying to undo the mistakes of the past. After setting rookie Bryce Young up to fail in 2024, the team has rebuilt the offensive line and added Diontae Johnson to pair with Adam Thielen. This is a good first step, but this team needs a star to help take Young to the next level. CeeDee Lamb can be that player, and Carolina should be willing to give up whatever it takes to make the All-Pro end his holdout.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley to the Tennessee Titans, which means they could use another wide receiver. While the team is reportedly linked to Brandon Aiyuk, they could pivot to CeeDee Lamb if this holdout lasts a while. With the Houston Texans adding waves of talent in free agency, the Jaguars need to add a star player if they want to keep up with the reigning AFC South champions.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Buffalo Bills might not be willing to trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Dallas Cowboys should have no such reservations. Rashee Rice looked like the real deal as a rookie, but the former second-round pick could miss considerable time thanks to his actions in the six-car crash. With a serious need for talent at the position, the Chiefs could mortgage the future and go after CeeDee Lamb. Even if the team selects a pass-catcher in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, that might not be enough of a long-term fix. After all, Travis Kelce isn’t getting any younger and Marquise Brown is only under contract for one more season.
Main Photo: Kevin Jairaj – USA Today Sports
