Cowboys sign most underwhelming WR possible amid CeeDee Lamb contract snafu

The Dallas Cowboys' showing in the NFL Draft did a lot to distract from what has been an underwhelming offseason. That could change once the Cowboys sign Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to contract extensions, but it seems they're prepared to let both situations drag out for as long as possible.

By doing that, they will force themselves to pay the absolute maximum. Prescott and Lamb are expected to reset the QB and WR markets, respectively. While no quarterbacks have signed big deals this offseason, the wide receiver market has been reset two times in as many weeks.

First, the Lions gave Amon-Ra St. Brown $30.002 million per year with $76.61 million guaranteed Both numbers were the highest-ever for a receiver. A few days later, the Eagles and A.J. Brown agreed to a three-year, $96 million deal with $84 million guaranteed. Brown is now the league's highest-paid WR both in terms of annual value ($32 million) and guaranteed money.

The longer the Cowboys drag their feet, the more they'll have to pay Lamb. Another downside? Lamb's contract holdout, which won't end until he gets a new deal. As a result, Dallas is thin at receiver with OTAs and minicamp on the horizon.

In light of that, they have signed a WR, but one that doesn't move the needle whatsoever.

Cowboys sign WR Tyron Billy-Johnson amid CeeDee Lamb contract stalemate

The Cowboys have signed Tyron Billy-Johnson, per the Dallas Morning News. Originally signed by Dallas last summer, Billy-Johnson spent most of the 2023 season on the practice squad. He was released just before Week 18 as the team shuffled its roster before the playoffs.

Billy-Johnson went undrafted in 2019 and has bounced around several teams in the NFL, including the Texans, Chargers, Jaguars, Panthers, Bills, 49ers, Bengals and Raiders. He's played 26 games as a pro with his best coming with the Chargers in 2020 when he caught 20 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns.

The 28-year-old joins a top-heavy WR room that should have an open competition during training camp for the final spots on the 53-man roster.

Barring another signing, the top three spots are locked up with CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert. 2023 seventh-round pick Jalen Brooks has a clear path to making the team after he flashed as a rookie, but the battle for WR4 and WR5 could boil down to as many as six players: Brooks, Martavis Bryant, 2024 sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Cropper, David Durden and Billy-Johnson.

That group doesn't inspire much confidence, does it? With that in mind, the Cowboys should be poking around the WR market post-draft. The jury is still out if Tolbert is ready to step into a prominent role and Michael Gallup has signed with the Raiders, so he's not coming back.

Maybe Dallas goes out and adds a true impact receiver, but signing Billy-Johnson while Lamb's negotiation drags out is pretty uninspiring.

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