The Dallas Cowboys forgotten and overlooked offensive weapon
The 2019 Dallas Cowboys will feature the most Dak Prescott friendly offense possible. Expect three receivers to finish with more than 1,000 yards receiving.
Earlier this year, the Dallas Cowboys promoted the young football genius Kellen Moore from quarterback coach to offensive coordinator. Statistically, Kellen Moore’s success will be determined by how much the Cowboys offense improves. That number is also tied to the development of quarterback Dak Prescott.
While Prescott’s rookie contract is coming to an end, I don’t understand why the Cowboys front office feels the need to rush his contract extension. There’s a possibility that Prescott isn’t capable of understanding or executing the absolutely perfect plays designed and called by Kellen (K-Dot) Moore. If the Cowboys underperform or fail to reach the playoffs, it gives the team time to analyze the problem.
If the Cowboys believe in Moore will be a long term offensive coordinator or perhaps a possible future head coach, then it might require finding an upgrade at the quarterback position. That means, they shouldn’t sign Prescott to an astronomical contract if he’s not capable of executing the nuances of the Cowboys offense.
On the other hand, if Moore and new quarterback coach Jon Kitna are able to help Prescott master the quarterback position before a contract extension is reached, the Cowboys can always hold onto Prescott for another year with the franchise tag. With a statistically dominant season, the franchise is going to pay him an astronomical amount of money regardless, so the franchise tag could be very useful during contract negotiations.
There’s one other piece in this puzzle that I would like to shed light on. After the draft, Cowboy Nation focused on wide receiver Amari Cooper being the team’s first round pick since he was acquired with in a trade with the Oakland – Las Vegas Raiders. One could state that Cooper was drafted in the first round twice. He’s getting extra attention because his contract also needs to be extended.
Has everyone forgotten that the Cowboys roster will have two receivers that were drafted in the first round? While Cowboy Nation talks about future Hall of Fame strong safety Jeff Heath, I’m going to call out the under performing wide receiver from Baltimore, Maryland – Tavon Austin. Austin was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams.
Former wide receiver Dez Bryant set the bar for performance and expectations from receivers drafted in the first round. Bryant stepped on the field as an offensive weapon and dominated opposing defenses. Similarly, Cooper has the fan base excited after 9 games with the Cowboys. Everyone has low expectations of Austin.
This season, I’m expecting Kellen Moore to help Austin have a career season by playing more football as a receiver. Austin is 5 feet 8 inches and 180 pounds. That’s similar enough to Kansas City Chiefs 2016 NFL Draft’s 5th round selection – receiver Tyreek Hill, who is 5 feet 10 inches and 185 pounds. The statistical difference is huge. In 2018, Hill had 12 touchdown receptions and nearly 1500 receiving yards. Austin’s biggest receiving total consists of 509 yards.
Combining Moore’s offensive plays with two receivers possessing first round talent and wide receiver Randall Cobb, the Cowboys should have three receivers with more than 1,000 yards receiving. It’s the most Dak-Friendly offense possible.
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For the Cowboys to have an electrifying offense and justify Prescott’s upcoming salary increase, it’s time to ask Austin to act like a receiver worthy of a first round draft pick.
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