Cowboys 2024 rookie report card: Progress report for each pick at the bye week

2024 NFL Draft - Round 1
2024 NFL Draft - Round 1 / Gregory Shamus/GettyImages
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Round 6, Pick 216: WR Ryan Flournoy

Draft day expectations: Ryan Flournoy was an athletic freak who projected as a developmental homerun swing from the scouting department. Coming from tiny SEMO, he faced an enormous leap to the NFL and generally looked like he’d be a multiyear practice squad player with long-term potential to make a roster.

Bye week update: Flournoy surprised a lot of people in training camp and preseason games. He flashed playmaker qualities and looked perfectly able to make the leap to the pros. Fearing they’d lose him, the Cowboys gave him a roster spot on the 53 where he’s remained ever since.

Flournoy’s debut wasn’t a great one – to put it mildly. He made his first NFL reception promptly followed by his first NFL fumble.

Adjusted expectations: Flournoy, like Liufau, has significantly raised expectations six weeks into his professional career. Just making the 53-man roster is an accomplishment. Fumble aside, the future looks decent for the young WR. His speed, size and strength make him a candidate at the X spot and since that’s often the hardest WR spot to fill, it gives him a reasonable path to more opportunities.