Dallas Cowboys Free Agency: Three Wide Receiver Targets
By Carl Daley
If the Dallas Cowboys wish to sign a wide receiver via free agency, I think they should only think about targeting these three veterans.
With both Terrance Williams and Brice Butler free agents this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys will likely need to add a wide receiver or two soon.
Personally, I believe the Cowboys should stick to the NFL Draft for help in that area. I think Dallas could find a quality, young wide receiver in the second round so that should alleviate their urgency to reach or overpay for one.
If Dallas prefers to sign a veteran via free agency, I think the only wide receivers the Cowboys should even remotely think about targeting are Terrelle Pryor, Kenny Britt, or Kamar Aiken.
Two of these players have shown the highest level of consistency.
Britt is a 28-year old veteran who has shown signs of great playmaking ability in his time with the Los Angeles Rams. The eight-year veteran recorded a career-high 68 receptions for 1,002 yards and five touchdowns. It was also Britt’s first 1,000 receiving yard season as well.
Aiken stepped up when the Baltimore Ravens wide receiving corps was decimated by injuries, so he is more dependable than most. in 2015, the 27-year old recorded 75 catches for 944 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 215 pound Aiken was the leading receiver for the Ravens that season.
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Pryor is 27-years old and has shown tremendous talent at the wide receiving position. He also is one of the tallest free agent wide receivers (6-foot-4, 223 pounds) and his height and athletic ability are something that cannot be ignored. Pryor likely has the highest ceiling but could also have the highest price tag.
Last season, the former quarterback posted 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. Pryor recorded a total of two catches during the regular season prior to last year. In Week Nine, the former Ohio State phenom had five receptions for 47 yards and a score against Dallas. It was the Cleveland Browns only touchdown of the day.
One free agent wide receiver the Cowboys should absolutely avoid is former New York Giants’ Victor Cruz. There are so many other options and avenues Dallas could turn too instead of signing Cruz. The former Giant is now 30 and has dealt with knee injuries for the better part of four seasons. The seven-year veteran has only played in a total of 21 games the past three years due to injuries.
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The 6-0, 204 pound Cruz is the most effective in the slot. And considering Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley’s breakout season at the position last year, the team does not have to squander cap space on a free agent for that spot.