Dallas Cowboys wide receiver usage through two games

With many new faces running routes for the Dallas Cowboys, it’s time to break down receiver snap counts and pass distribution through two games.

It’s an understatement to say the Dallas Cowboys passing game has lacked a defined orchestration and identity after the first two games. While there was enough timely success to pull the record even last Sunday night, the aerial offense has yet to materialize into anything fans can put their finger on.

There certainly hasn’t been a dominant number one receiver thus far, which is partly by design. Though this could eventually prove troublesome without a go-to tight end anywhere near the safety blanket value of Jason Witten.

To better comprehend what our eyes have seen, let’s break down the snap counts of the targeted wide receivers and see what’s really been unfolding.

Cole Beasley (WR) – 73 snaps, 11 targets, 9 catches, 86 yards

Allen Hurns (WR) –  65 snaps, 5 targets, 2 catches, 29 yards

Michael Gallup (WR) – 54 snaps, 3 targets, 2 catches, 14 yards

Deonte Thompson (WR) – 53 snaps, 10 targets, 7 catches, 60 yards

Terrance Williams (WR) – 29 snaps, 3 targets, 2 catches, 18 yards

Tavon Austin (WR) – 28 snaps, 2 targets, 2 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD

As a whole, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has targeted his wide receivers 34 times. 71% of the attempts were completed (24 catches) for 286 yards and 1 touchdown.

The receptions to targets ratio is high, yet limited yardage and one touchdown are concerning. 143 receiving yards per game by wide receivers has to improve.

Beasley is the leader in targets, catches, and yards. Which makes sense in the early going as four of the six in that list weren’t on the team last season.

Clearly Williams has been relegated to spot duty (29 snaps) after receiving the second most receiver snaps (687) last season, and the most (746) by a wide receiver in 2016.

After signing Brice Butler this week, it’s likely Williams will be more of an afterthought going forward. Butler’s size (6-3, 220), deep speed, and ability to go up for contested balls will add a unique element that surely earns reasonable playing time.

The unit’s diversity and penchant for swapping in fresh legs is a new, intriguing concept in Dallas. However, the Cowboys must begin to weed this down to three reliable targets (plus Tavon Austin) to help Dak Prescott gain the rapport needed for sustained success.