The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season is off to a rocky start, and perhaps the most surprising letdown has been the performance of their wide receiver corps. Coming into the year, wideouts were expected to be a strength, with a high-profile star at the top of the roster. However, through three weeks, this unit has been a major disappointment.
While it’s no shock that the running game has struggled—the front office made minimal offseason moves to address that area—it is startling to see the lack of production from the Cowboys’ receiving group. Dallas invested heavily in CeeDee Lamb, signing him to a four-year, $136 million contract, making him the second-highest-paid receiver in the NFL. Yet, despite this massive deal, Lamb and the entire receiving corps have failed to live up to expectations.
Lamb currently ranks 67th out of 112 receivers graded by Pro Football Focus (PFF), posting a lackluster grade of 61.4. This is hardly the production the Cowboys were expecting when they inked him to that extension. Alongside him, Jalen Tolbert has a similarly disappointing grade of 61.6, good for 66th, while veteran Brandin Cooks is even further down the list at 81st with a grade of 55.8. Jalen Brooks, despite playing limited snaps, has fared the best with a PFF rating of 63.7, ranking 57th overall. However, Brooks’ limited role makes him more of a spare part than a true solution.
As things stand, the Cowboys’ passing attack is missing a true complement to Lamb. That’s where the 2025 NFL Draft could come into play, and according to CBS Sports’ latest mock draft, Ohio State’s star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka could be the answer.
Egbuka: A Rising Star at Ohio State
After a slow start to the season, Egbuka has shown steady improvement, particularly in recent weeks. The Buckeyes’ 3-0 start has been helped by his increased contributions. Egbuka opened with four catches for 51 yards against Akron and followed that up with 98 yards against Western Michigan. His breakout came in Week 3, when he posted five receptions for 117 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season against Marshall.
Rated as the No. 4 wide receiver by PFF and the 25th overall prospect, Egbuka is a dynamic weapon who could fit seamlessly into the Cowboys’ offense. Despite undergoing “tightrope surgery” on his left ankle, Egbuka has retained his burst and explosiveness. Bleacher Report’s scouting report for the 2024 draft praised his route-running ability and knack for making plays out of the slot, calling him a “silky smooth operator” who can be the glue for an offense.
While he may not have elite long speed, Egbuka’s quickness in the first 10 yards of his routes makes him a threat on vertical plays. For a Cowboys team lacking reliability in the receiver room, he could be a much-needed infusion of consistency and playmaking.
Looking Ahead for the Cowboys’ Offense
The Cowboys are already facing tough questions about how to turn their season around, and a major focus will be improving the wide receiver position. With Brandin Cooks likely to hit free agency after the season, adding a player like Egbuka could be the move Dallas needs to bolster its offense for the future.
Though Lamb is expected to improve as he gets fully healthy, the depth behind him is a real concern. Egbuka could slide into the No. 2 role and provide Dak Prescott with another reliable target. Whether Egbuka or another top-tier prospect will join the Cowboys’ ranks remains to be seen, but it’s clear that changes are needed if they want to return to being the explosive offensive unit they once were.
For now, the Cowboys must navigate the remainder of 2024, hoping their current crop of receivers can step up. But come the 2025 NFL Draft, don’t be surprised if a new wideout like Emeka Egbuka is wearing the star in Dallas.
