With not many glaring holes on their roster, the Cowboys could look to add receiver depth this offseason. But does that receiver need to be a pricy OBJ?
The Dallas Cowboys have talent on offense, with a franchise quarterback in Dak Prescott, a talented running back in Tony Pollard and a star receiver in CeeDee Lamb. They admit they need to add “playmaking juice” and they admit to liking Odell Beckham Jr.
But do they like him $20 million APY’s worth?
In a Pro Football Talk article, Mike Florio writes on the day after OBJ’s private workout (not attended by Dallas) about what he’s heard about Beckham’s contract demands.
“At one point during the 2022 season, a report emerged that free-agent receiver Odell Beckham Jr. wants $20 million per year. We’re told that Beckham still has that number in mind,” Florio said.
It may be dangerous to assume this report to be accurate. But for the sake of argument?
That seems … incredibly high.
Here’s a short clip @obj sent me of his workout in Arizona today, in front of multiple teams. He said it felt really good to make key catches right in front of the scouts, & to be able to show all the hard work he’s putting in to comeback hard again. Exciting things to come! pic.twitter.com/A7KTXp4MUv
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 11, 2023
NFL.com listed “receiver” as an area of need for the Cowboys this offseason – citing a lack of weapons for Prescott to work with outside of Lamb and Pollard. And we all recognize this. With the likely departure of tight end Dalton Schultz in free agency, the options behind Lamb currently are about finger-crossing, with Michael Gallup having shown flashes as Dallas hopes he takes another step forward after an injury-rehabbed year,
Add a wideout somehow, somewhere? Yes, the Cowboys, will be able to do so this offseason. Whether that comes through free agency, the draft, or even a trade, is yet to be seen.
They have been linked multiple times to the big names on the receiver market in Beckham Jr., and DeAndre Hopkins in a potential trade with the Arizona Cardinals for the star receiver. They currently own the No. 26 pick in the draft and receiver and tight end are among the rumored targets.
There is no doubt that Lamb continues to prove he can be the No. 1 receiver for Prescott, posting back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons – and coming up just short as a rookie with 935 receiving yards. But a No. 2 receiver making $20 million APY when he hasn’t experienced a “WR1” season since 2019?
That seems … incredibly high.
