Dallas Cowboys: 5 players who must improve
By Joe Romano
2. Cole Beasley
Two years ago when Dallas’ offense was humming along it was behind a strong running game and a short passing game. His favorite target that season was slot receiver Cole Beasley. There was a massive drop in production from Beasley .
Beasley went from 833 yards on 75 receptions to just 314 yards on 36 receptions. That drop in production is just one of the reasons the Cowboys offense, and particularly Prescott, struggled in 2017. Beasley was his safety blanket and defenses saw that in Prescott’s second season. Without a formidable slot option the offense was taking a lot of shots and not playing to it’s quarterback’s strengths.
Dallas gave Beasley a vote of confidence when it traded away last year’s fourth-round pick Ryan Switzer. Switzer was thought to be the almost 30-year-old Beasley’s eventual replacement. Both players are shift slot receivers that offer extra value as returners and can make plays with the ball in their hands. Beasley is now clearly the team’s top option in the slot and should continue to see his role grow in what is looking like a new offense.
Beasley and Terrance Williams are the only two holdovers from a completely revamped receiving corps. The latter of those two has struggled with consistency his whole career. It will take a 2017 like season and then some from Beasley to get the Cowboys passing game back on track.