Cole Beasley would bring value to Cowboys with or without James Washington

The Dallas Cowboys recently took a blow to their wide receiver rotation. During training camp, free agent addition James Washington fractured his foot and will be out for 6-10 weeks. The Cowboys could stand to add another receiver to their room.

It’s worth noting that they may not feel that way, though. The latest chatter coming out of the Cowboys’ camp on the topic of being down both Washington and Michael Gallup is that owner Jerry Jones isn’t fazed by the losses. Here’s what the GM said to reporters:

"“It doesn’t create an urgency for us at a veteran receiver,” Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said after Tuesday’s practice. “We like these young guys.” Head coach Mike McCarthy echoed the same statement in regard to the receiver position, ”not my focus”, and that his focus is on “seeing the young guys improve”."

While this may be how they feel now, it’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s why they could always stand to add, at least, one more dependable guy. Emmanuel Sanders is an option I previously proposed, and he still could be, especially in Washington’s absence. But a familiar face is a good thought, too.

The Cowboys claim they don’t need help in the WR room, but they really should consider adding Cole Beasley

Current free agent WR Cole Beasley could help this team regardless of whether Washington is available or not. To be fair, the same probably applies to Sanders, but this guy actually used to play for the Cowboys.

It’s worth mentioning that Beasley recently posted on Twitter that he wouldn’t mind returning to Dallas to play with Dak Prescott.

To continue with the theme and a simple explanation here, Washington and Sanders help make the case for adding Beasley. Washington isn’t the most sure-handed, but he does offer a certain level of explosion in short areas that Beasley nor Sanders offers. Washington’s ability to generate yards after catch or make guys miss in short areas is where he is truly special.

For Sanders, the gap in that explosiveness isn’t as big between him and Washington as it may be with Washington and Beasley. Sanders is the middle ground between the two. He isn’t as explosive in short areas or after the catch anymore as Washington, but he isn’t as sure-handed as Beasley is either. That’s where Beasley’s special gifts shine.

That’s why I believe he can be of use with or without Washington and arguably in a greater capacity than Sanders. There is an overlap between what Washington and Sanders do well. However, what Washington really excels at and what Beasley really excels at are completely different.

When you are talking about a guy like Beasley (who catches over 70 percent of everything that comes his way across his career), you can really always use a guy with his skill set. Injuries aside, bringing in Beasley on a low-priced contract could have a lot of value for the Cowboys. Seeing how the young receivers do in preseason games will certainly determine whether the front office starts picking up the phones again or not.