After releasing Dez Bryant as the result of a tumultuous offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have a less than impressive receiving corps on paper. Matthew Berry has even gone as far as to say that the Cowboys have the worst receiving group in the league. And yet, there’s still hope for the Cowboys’ group and these wideouts should not be slept on.
3. New WR Coach Sanjay Lal
This offseason, the Cowboys hired a new wide receivers coach in Sanjay Lal, who has been in the league since 2007. He has served in the same role for the Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and most recently the Indianapolis Colts. A veteran coach in the league who has picked up knowledge from plenty of coaching greats, he can bring a new look and new identity to this unproven Cowboys’ corps.
2. Tavon Austin’s Versatility
During Day 3 of this year’s NFL Draft, the Cowboys acquired Tavon Austin from the Rams for next to nothing. While Austin’s career so far has been underwhelming at best after St. Louis (at the time) took him eighth overall in 2013, his speed and ability to run the football and make plays after the catch and in open space can make Lal and the Cowboys ecstatic and creative offensively.
1. The Chip on the Shoulder of All the Receivers
The big acquisition for the Cowboys this offseason was Allen Hurns, who has one 1,000 receiving yard season back in 2015. But Hurns is still excited to begin his career in Dallas, alongside incumbent Cowboys Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley.
“You got Bease, not coming off his best year. T-Will, same thing. Tavon was hurt a lot of last year. Noah [Brown], going into his second year. Deonte Thompson, a lot of young guys. We all got something to prove. Each and every day we’re going to go out there and push each other.”
Something to prove is definitely something this group has to do, but never underestimate the impact of a chip on the shoulder.
