You'd be hard-pressed to think of a Dallas Cowboys era that didn't feature a superstar receiver. There's just something about this franchise that consistently produces elite pass-catchers.
The iconic No. 88 jersey has been passed down through four generations, from Drew Pearson to Michael Irvin to Dez Bryant and now CeeDee Lamb. But plenty of standout pass-catchers have come through Dallas without ever wearing the franchise's most famous number.
From 2000 to 2020, a whopping 18 players caught at least 100 passes for the Cowboys. Some were your prototypical No. 1 X receiver, while others thrived in complementary roles. Heck, some didn't even play the receiver position (that's your one and only hint!).
The quiz below challenges you to name every Cowboys player who recorded 100 or more receptions from 2000 through the end of the 2020 season. Fans who live and breathe Cowboys football should get most of them, though a couple of names may leave you stumped.
Can you name every Cowboys player who caught 100 or more passes between 2000 and 2020?
Be honest: who did you type in first, Jason Witten or Dez Bryant?
This was a great reminder of just how long Witten stayed at the top of his game. He eclipsed 80 catches six times with Dallas and averaged 85.6 catches from 2004 (his second season) to 2012. Just remarkable longevity and consistency for a tight end.
Similarly, it was a reminder that Bryant's prime wasn't as long as many Cowboys fans would've hoped. That said, he was as unstoppable as any receiver in football from 2011 to 2014. The peak was brief, but few players could match it.
While Witten and Bryant led the pack, several other pass-catchers likely rolled off the tongue. Cole Beasley, Miles Austin, the late Terry Glenn, and even Patrick Crayton (playoff gaffe notwithstanding) all played at least six seasons for America's Team.
Then, of course, there are stars like Terrell Owens and Amari Cooper. Both spent just three seasons in Dallas, but each left a lasting mark, averaging 78.3 and 73.0 receptions per season, respectively.
More obscure Cowboys pass-catchers may have caused a headache
Michael Gallup, Joey Galloway, and Keyshawn Johnson rounded out the wide receivers. Galloway's stint in Dallas wasn't exactly memorable, so he may have slipped your mind. Johnson, meanwhile, played just two seasons in Dallas, while Gallup's career went backward three years in due to injuries.
Self-admittedly, it took a minute to remember that running backs are pass-catchers, too! Duh. None other than Ezekiel Elliott, who was unstoppable on RB screens early in his career, hauled in 241 receptions over his tenure. Even if it tripped you up for a moment, it's Zeke we're talking about.
It may have taken a minute to recall that the late Marion Barber, DeMarco Murray, and Felix Jones all topped 100 career receptions in Dallas. Each reached the milestone thanks in part to at least one 50-catch season.
Surprisingly enough, former RB Julius Jones failed to catch 100 balls despite having the starting gig for four years. That can be attributed to his rookie season being cut short by injuries.
CeeDee Lamb didn't make the cut, though it's worth remembering he was a rookie in 2020 and shared the spotlight with Cooper and Gallup. If he stays healthy, there's a very real chance he'll retire as the franchise's all-time leader in virtually every major receiving category.
Much like being a Cowboys fan, this quiz was moderately difficult.
Like any stroll down memory lane, it takes a moment for the brain to jump back into specific Cowboys eras. Some fans may have blocked Patrick Crayton and Joey Galloway out of their memories, while Felix Jones and Marion the Barbarian made sure you didn't coast to the finish.
And if you got a perfect score before the clock ran out, we're not sure whether to be impressed or a little concerned.
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