(Editor's Note: In the upcoming weeks before the start of training camp, the staff of DallasCowboys.com is looking to answer the 20 biggest questions facing the team heading into the 2024 season. Today, the staff writers continue the series by identifying a pivotal game on the schedule.)
4) What does CeeDee do for an encore?
Nick Eatman: Well, when we created this list of questions, it was assumed that CeeDee would eventually be in camp, likely with a new contract. So as we sit here just a few days before the start of camp and there's no deal, it seems the first thing he would need to do is sign a contract. I think we all think it will happen before it goes on too long. So let's just put the contract talks aside and hope for the best. As for the field, I think Lamb will probably have an even better season and his numbers will likely drop. That's just the way it goes when you're talking about elite players. More success means more attention and with that, I would imagine teams try even harder to take him away. But that doesn't mean he won't have a better year. If less passes to him mean Cooks and Ferguson both flirt with 1,000-yard seasons and they have a better running game and a more well-rounded offense, that should all fall back on CeeDee. So I think he'll be even more valuable even if the numbers don't show it.
Nick Harris: What can CeeDee realistically do after stamping the greatest season for a receiver in franchise history? It's tough, but considering the offensive system will be much more comfortable to start the season compared to what it was at the start of the season last year, there is opportunity for growth for Lamb. There will probably be a lot more defensive focus on 88, but if the other weapons can step up and continue to allow Lamb to find himself in iso situations, I like his chances to get open up against some of the best in the league.
Mickey Spagnola: Not only maintaining a modicum of consistency, seeing he has produced three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and missing a fourth straight by 65 yards his rookie season, but striving to improve. Understand CeeDee set the franchise single season records with 135 receptions (led the NFL) and 1,749 receiving yards, and this might be nitpicking, but he did have five games in 2023 with season lows of four receptions. Don't allow that to happen no matter if defenses are tilting his way. Also keep those touchdown receptions rising, having done so in his four seasons with 5, 6, 9 and 12 receiving TDs. The bar is high for sure, but the great ones keep the bar moving on up.
Kyle Youmans: There's only one thing left to do for one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, win the AP Offensive Player of the Year award. Last year he finished third in the award's voting behind only San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey and Miami's Tyreek Hill. Lamb's historic 2023 season was full of incredible moments and plenty of stats. However, it won't be impossible to overcome. He's seen an improvement in each of the major categories, setting career-highs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns during each of his NFL seasons. That's a streak that will inevitably come to an end. But if he can continue it for one more season, he'll establish himself as the best in the league.
Patrik Walker: More, is what he can do. Allow me to explain. I realize there are some who'll say more here means less elsewhere in the offense, and that's fair, but there is no reason to suddenly begin scaling back on Lamb intentionally. If it happens organically by virtue of triple teams that open up Brandin Cooks, Jake Ferguson, Jalen Tolbert/Jalen Brooks/KaVontae Turpin and opportunities in the run game, so be it. But nothing would infuriate me more than finally finding the skeleton key to making Lamb arguably the best wideout in the league only to intentionally get away from targeting him heavily. He's now shown he can play all three WR roles and make big plays is what he excels at, but also in doing some dirty work in blocking for others downfield. Keep this party going, I say, and all Lamb needs to do is make sure consistency remains a thing going forward.
Kurt Daniels: More of the same, please. In 2023, we saw Lamb set club records for catches and receiving yards in a season, finishing first and second, respectively, in the NFL in those same categories, while also winding up third in touchdown grabs. Which, of course, led to him earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. The only things that could keep him from putting up similar numbers is perhaps if he skips training camp and needs time to ramp up, or Dak Prescott is injured, or the fact that they'll have to face some tougher defenses in general in 2024. But as truly one of the elite wideouts in the game, there's no reason not to expect another All-Pro effort from Lamb. The Cowboys certainly are.
