CeeDee

Lamb

The key word here is “voluntary,” but the words “contract extension” are also of great value. Lamb is set to earn $17.199 million in guaranteed money this season while playing on his rookie fifth-year option. In search of a long-term deal from the Cowboys, Lamb isn’t expected to report to any voluntary workouts, but the real fun could begin come training camp. It’s already been rumored that a holdout could be possible for Lamb, but we won’t know more about that until we get closer to camp. The former No. 17 overall pick has more than outplayed his rookie deal, but the Cowboys are in a tough cap position and still need to figure out what to do with Dak Prescott beyond this season.

In short, Gehlken isn’t wrong. Lamb is currently in the fifth and final year of his rookie deal but has more than outplayed said contract. He posted career highs across the board in receptions (135), receiving yards (1,749), and touchdowns (12), earning First-team All-Pro honors while also being voted to his third Pro Bowl. Lamb led the league in receptions last season and was second in receiving yards behind Tyreek Hill. Per Over the Cap, the Cowboys currently have about $6.7 million in cap space. An extension for Lamb would almost certainly put them over the cap, but the star receiver likely wants to secure his long-term financial future with a contract he’s more than earned. We’re a long way away from needing to worry about Lamb’s 2024 availability, but to suggest there’s a strong possibility of a holdout if Lamb doesn’t get his extension is more than fair.

The chemistry between Lamb and Dak Prescott was off for most of the game. The two were seen having an animated sideline conversation in the first quarter after the Packers seized an early lead. The struggles continued for much of the second half, though Prescott hit Lamb for a 47-yard completion in garbage time. Lamb became a bona fide elite NFL receiver in 2023, trailing only Tyreek Hill in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns (12). He led the league with 181 targets and eight games with at least 100 yards. It’s hard to imagine Lamb not being the unquestioned centerpiece of the Dallas offense in 2024, no matter who is calling plays for the Cowboys.

Things couldn’t have gone much better for Lamb and the Cowboys, who dominated from start to finish to secure the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff race. Lamb hauled in touchdowns of four and six yards on the day but hauled in two receptions of 15-plus yards while keeping the chains moving. Lamb and the Cowboys are running hot heading into wild card weekend, as the fourth-year receiver finishes the season with a line of 135-1,749-12. Lamb totaled 443 yards and four touchdowns in his final three games of the season and will need to be at his best next weekend against the Packers.

Lamb had the Lions’ number from the jump, connecting with quarterback Dak Prescott for a 92-yard touchdown on a scramble drill out of their own end zone in the first quarter. He would be denied a second score two possessions later, fumbling the football into the end zone for a possession-changing touchback. Even so, Lamb set numerous franchise records in this one. The only member of the Lions secondary that slowed Lamb down at all was rookie nickel corner Brian Branch. Lamb came through in the clutch for fantasy managers needing massive scores in fantasy championship week.

Lamb’s day was highlighted by a 49-yard catch and run touchdown in the first half, as he shed a couple would-be tacklers for the long score in what was a low-scoring affair. He led the Cowboys with ten targets and nearly scored a second touchdown in the fourth quarter, right before Dak Prescott connected with Brandin Cooks for a score. Lamb, with 47 targets over his past four games, will be a high-upside WR1 in Week 17 against Detroit.

The Cowboys offense simply couldn’t get anything going on the day, being held to 195 total yards and just 134 passing yards with almost half of those coming on the final drive with the Bills starters resting. The Bills pass rush was in Dak Prescott’s face all day, and the secondary kept two high safeties all evening and dared the Cowboys to beat them underneath. All of that led to the subpar receiving stats for Lamb; however, he did save his fantasy day with a late rushing touchdown when the Bills were already up 31-3. He should remain a solid WR1 going forward.

Lamb was understandably emphasized early against the Eagles, reaching pay dirt just five minutes into the game on Dallas’ first possession. The volume slowed down from there as quarterback Dak Prescott fed five or more targets to five different pass-catchers, but the fantasy returns remained elite for one of the league’s most consistent wide receivers. Up next is a difficult test against a Bills team holding opponents to just 18.8 points per game in Week 15.

Eating Riq Woolen’s lunch, Lamb shook off his mini “slump” by matching his season high in catches and setting a new high-water mark for targets. He also tacked on some fourth quarter yards via a Woolen DPI. Never mind his 4th-and-2 drop in the final frame. Playing elite, league-leading type football for the better part of two months now, Lamb has an explosive Week 14 setup for what should be a high-totaled affair with Philadelphia’s leaky secondary.

Lamb was missed on a few deep throws early, also bobbling a deep shot from Dak Prescott before it fell incomplete. He finally hit big in the second half, scoring a fourth quarter touchdown and adding on the two-point conversion. Lamb maintains the alpha receiver role in Dallas, even on a day where 10 different receivers caught the ball. Consider Lamb a WR1 against the Seahawks in Week 13.