One of the most important players for the Dallas Cowboys this season is none other than CeeDee Lamb. It’s easy to overlook him, considering how consistent Lamb has been since the moment the Cowboys drafted him back in 2020.
Lamb has recorded at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his first six seasons in the NFL and has been a five-time Pro Bowl selection.
And yet, the Cowboys need Lamb to be even better in 2026. Last season was arguably the worst of his career, as he struggled with drops (four in Week 1) and then suffered a high-ankle injury that sidelined him for multiple games. He did get back to his typical All-Pro self in the second half of the season, but a concussion against the Lions stopped some of that momentum.
But despite his up-and-down 2025 campaign, there are still a lot of reasons for optimism surrounding Lamb going into this big season. Lamb just turned 27 and is entering the prime of his career. And now, it’s time for him to get back to being his explosive self.
Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb is one of the NFL's most dynamic wide receivers
It wasn’t that long ago that Lamb was viewed as a consensus top-three wide receiver in the NFL. Lamb racked up over 1,800 yards from scrimmage in 2023, leading the NFL in receptions (135) and first downs (87). His numbers dropped in 2024, but that was explainable due to Dak Prescott missing half the year and Lamb dealing with a shoulder injury that caused him to go on the injured reserve list.
But despite the circumstances, Lamb remained one of the most dynamic receivers in the league. In a recent article by Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus, he wrote about the 10 most explosive players in the NFL over the last five seasons. Lamb was included on the list, coming in at No. 3. Here is a snippet of what Locker had to say about Lamb going into the 2026 season:
"Although the last two years haven’t been Lamb’s best — he’s dropped 19 passes in that span — he’s still been one of football’s premier wideouts because of his explosiveness. Over the last five campaigns, Lamb’s 175 catches of at least 15 yards trail only (Justin) Jefferson. What’s also often overlooked regarding Lamb’s profile is his effectiveness as a rusher. Indeed, he’s amassed 15 explosive rushes since 2021, which ties for the second-most at his position."
Lamb is one of the rare receivers in the NFL who can make plays on all three levels. He is one of the best route runners in the league and is incredibly dangerous after the catch. But his ankle injury last year robbed him of his YAC ability as he broke just six tackles all year, per Pro Football Reference.
The good news for the Cowboys is that Lamb is healthy and is ready to get back to his All-Pro form. And it helps that Prescott is also fully healthy going into the offseason, unlike he was in 2025 after suffering a major hamstring injury that required surgery. And with neither player dealing with contract distractions, they can get back to being one of the league’s most potent QB-WR duos.
There is no doubt that Lamb is still one of the very best wide receivers in the NFL. But after back-to-back subpar seasons for his standards, it’s time that he reminds everyone just what he is capable of. Don’t be surprised if Lamb has a career season in 2026, even with George Pickens back in the fold for another year.
If Lamb can get back to the version that we saw in 2023 or in the first half of the 2024 season, there really is no doubt that the Cowboys can have the league's best offense. Lamb can be the best receiver in the league at any given moment and all signs indicate he's ready to prove that again.
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