The Dallas Cowboys are one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, but the draft-and-develop approach can only take you so far. Much like the 2023 class, last year's Cowboys draft is littered with question marks, including first-round pick Tyler Guyton.
While Marshawn Kneeland, Cooper Beebe and Marist Liufau all have promising futures, there is one player whom Cowboys fans were high on last summer that faces serious pressure to perform in year two: wide receiver Ryan Flournoy.
Flournoy showed flashes in training camp last year, but he was hardly heard from during the regular season. That theme unfortunately continued in OTAs and minicamp.
Cowboys WR Ryan Flournoy risks becoming an afterthought in crowded WR room
The Cowboys have already proved they aren't afraid to part with late-round picks. Just last week, they sent defensive tackle Justin Rogers packing for the second time. Rogers was selected just 28 picks before Flournoy in the 2024 draft.
What is so surprising about Flournoy's invisible offseason is that he was among the biggest standouts from last preseason. In the three exhibitions, he caught nine passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns with a 125.3 passer rating when targeted, per PFF.
That said, Flournoy also dropped two passes and lost a fumble. He is still learning the nuances of the position and adapting to the speed of the NFL. That will take time, but time is of the essence for Flournoy, who will already turn 26 during his second season.
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Much to the chagrin of Cowboys fans, Flournoy was a healthy scratch for the first month of the season. He ended up playing 11 games and catching 10 passes for 102 yards. The fact he couldn't carve out a role in an underwhelming WR room does not bode well for him in 2025.
While Brandin Cooks left in free agency, Dallas has since added Jonathan Mingo, George Pickens, and Parris Campbell. There are arguably six WRs ahead of Flournoy on the depth chart: CeeDee Lamb, Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, Mingo, KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Brooks.
The sixth spot is admittedly up for grabs. That means Flournoy will have to outshine Brooks, Campbell, Kelvin Harmon, Jalen Cropper and undrafted free agent Traeshon Holden just to make the 53-man roster.
The good news for Flournoy is that Tolbert and Pickens, both significantly ahead of him on the depth chart, are set to become unrestricted free agents next year. With strong seasons, Tolbert and Pickens could push themselves out of Dallas' price range.
That would create as easier path to playing time for Flournoy, but he won't be afforded that luxury if he doesn't show significant improvement in year two.