Could Cowboys Draft CeeDee Lamb Complement at WR?
The Dallas Cowboys are likely to be in the market for some help at wide receiver as the start of 2023 NFL year approaches.
Though it is assumed by many that Dallas will actively seek such enhancement from free agency, a deep talent pool in this season’s draft class may tempt its need at wideout.
In fact, one such prospect checks all the boxes as a prototypical Cowboy.
Wake Forest wide receiver A.T. Perry is one of the more intriguing candidates to fill Dallas’ need at the position. At 6-3, 195 pounds, the Demon Deacons’ junior possesses the skill set on the perimeter which could be a strong complement to top wideout CeeDee Lamb.
Perry will enter the NFL on the heels of a successful season in which he hauled in 81 catches, 1096 yards and 11 touchdowns. While his height and length give him an intrinsic advantage over most defenders, the 23-year-old only amplifies them by exhibiting amazing body control to make nearly any catch. Though he does his best work on the outside, his size and strength make him a significant target for quarterback Dak Prescott in the red zone.
With Lamb’s prowess stemming from his effectiveness in the slot, Perry could be the perimeter threat to give Dallas’ offense yet another dimension. Still, beyond Lamb, the cupboard is a bit bare. Michael Gallup finished the season with 39 catches for 424 and four touchdowns — a far cry from Lamb’s team-leading 107 receptions for 1359 yards and nine scores. Veteran Noah Brown also added 555 yards with three touchdowns.
As a result, Dallas is viewed as a logical fit for Perry’s services. In fact, they may be able to do so without having to forfeit early-round draft capital. In a recent assessment, Pro Football Focus projected Perry as the Cowboys’ third-round selection at 90 overall:
“Perry shows impressive flexibility in and out of his cuts, enabling him to run snappier routes than most receivers his height,” per PFF. “He leverages those same traits to effectively defeat press coverage at the line of scrimmage, giving him a skill set that can win on the outside in the NFL — something that's important for any receiver Dallas adds this offseason due to Lamb's dominance from the slot.”
With the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine set to begin this week in Indianapolis, Dallas’ pursuit for young talent at receiver is about to commence in earnest. Whether Perry is on their radar will be one of the many questions to which Cowboys fans may get an answer to by the end of the week.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL
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