Dallas Cowboys: Wide Receiver Preview
Posted by Kris Reubens on August 16, 2009 under Hobbies | 
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I know T.O. is a very talented WR, but I think the Cowboys will be fine without him. Not all the pressure has to be on the WR’s to make up for the loss of him. The Cowboys have 2 very good offensive TE’s in Witten and Bennett, and have one of the best RB groups in the NFL. Getting Felix Jones back will play a big role in making up for T.O.’s production. Just keep all that in mind as you read this.
1. Roy Williams Age: 27 (6′3″ 220 lbs 4.42 40 yard dash). When you look at his career stats, most assume he is not a legit #1 WR, but don’t forget how talented this guy is. His biggest problem to me is that he has only played in all 16 games once, out of his 5 seasons. He has only reached 1,000 yards once, but I think that is more about injuries and playing in Detroit than it is his talent. He has all the tools that it takes to be a top receiver in the NFL, and hopefully he will prove all the haters wrong. There are a couple reasons that I believe he can show us what he is capable of. Last year’s performance with Dallas was most likely just him not being comfortable, and Romo feeling the need to keep trying to get the ball to T.O.. He actually had more yards in 5 games with Detroit than he did in 10 games with the Cowboys (Which shows that his 10 games with Dallas last year are not an accurate assessment of what to expect). I really expect him to be much better now that he has had more time to work with Romo, and the rest of the offense. Also, this is a guy that averages 14.5 YPC (T.O. 14.9 career YPC), which is pretty decent. It’s not great, but it’s good enough. Basically, if he can stay healthy, he has a good chance of getting 1,000 yards, and at least reaching his career high of 8 touchdowns in a season.
2. Patrick Crayton. Crayton has progressively improved in each of the last few seasons, and I hope that 2009 will bring the same. He’s 30 years old now, but little playing time in his earlier years has kept him fresh, and he’s been a very solid role player in Dallas, making nice contributions at the number two wide receiver position last year. I expect to see Crayton with another 500-700 yard season, and he’ll be alright in Dallas.
3. Miles Austin. Austin possesses more upside than Crayton due to his age, as well as his big playmaking ability. Austin had a very high average yards per catch in 2008, and while there weren’t so many catches (he wasn’t a starter for the team), he showed his ability to make big plays and to find the end zone.
He is a legit deep threat. He very well could be the key to how successful the Cowboys receivers are this year. Hopefully he can turn into the type of threat that opposing defenses have to key on, giving Williams and others more opportunities underneath. I don’t think a 1,000 yard season is out of the question, but he has to stay healthy, unlike last year.
4. Sam Hurd. A young wide receiver, just 24 years old, Hurd is making waves in training camp (just like he did in 2008). Many say that he’s making great plays in practice and see this receiver coming into his own in 2009.
There really isn’t much else to say about him, he just needs to stay healthy, and keep up what he is doing in training camp. Let’s hope it translates into regular season production. I could see him putting up 400 yards, and a few touchdowns, as the 4th receiver. Now, I know he is in the battle just as much as Crayton and Austin, but I just don’t see him moving up the depth chart till next year at the earliest, barring injuries of course.
These are the four receivers the Cowboys will count on come football season. I feel it’s safe to say that Roy Williams will be the clear cut number one option, but the 2, 3, and 4 spots remain to be seen. There’s certainly enough talent to sway it all in any direction.
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