5 NFL rookies who will dominate right away in 2020

5 NFL rookies who will dominate immediately in 2020

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 07: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #22 of the LSU Tigers carries the ball in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs during the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

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4. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys had the No. 1 yardage offense in the NFL last year (431.5 per game), and the No. 2 passing offense (296.9 yards per game). Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup both topped 1,100 yards last year, and then they went and added Lamb (21.4 yards per catch last year for Oklahoma) with the 17th pick in April’s draft.

The departures of Randall Cobb and Jason Witten leaves behind 166 targets from last year for the Cowboys, a 28.8 percent share. Blake Jarwin (31 catches on 41 targets in 2019) is set up for a bigger role as the clear No.1 tight end in place of Witten. But the 30-target gap between Cobb (83) and Gallup (113) last year is virtually sure to be narrower with Lamb now in place as the No. 3 wide receiver.

If Cooper or Gallup were to go down with an injury for any real length of time, Lamb would have an even more prominent role. As it is he’s in line for at least the snap share Cobb had in 2019 (64 percent in 15 games played), and perhaps a solid chunk more given the draft capital investment in him (to say nothing of his talent).

In a certain light, the range of outcomes may feel high for Lamb as a rookie. But the upside is clear and he’ll benefit from the attention Cooper, and to a lesser degree Gallup, will get as targets for Dak Prescott.

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