Dallas Cowboys: 5 Players who need more snaps this season
By Reid Hanson
Devin Smith
Wide Receiver
Age: 27
Former second round pick, Devin Smith, has had a tough road in the NFL. The 6’1 199lbs speedster from Ohio State suffered two ACL tears with the New York Jets and only logged 10 career catches as a pro before joining Dallas.
Buried behind training camp standouts Jon’Vea Johnson and Jaylon Guyton, it didn’t look like Smith had much a future here in Dallas. But low and behold, Smith showed up when it mattered the most, and when others were dropping balls in game action, Smith was making plays.
You can’t teach speed and even with two knee surgeries, Devin Smith has speed. He carried over his strong preseason into the regular season, filling in for the injured Michael Gallup and making big plays along the way.
But things cooled off for Smith after Week 3 and we have yet to see him make a catch since. Smith could be a cheap downfield threat for Dallas next season and take over the WR4 duties from the nearly departed, Tavon Austin.
Randall Cobb* will also likely be gone this offseason, leaving an opening inside at slot. Could Smith challenge Cedrick Wilson for that starting slot receiver spot? Probably not but we won’t know until we see him get more snaps inside and out so now is a great time to find out.
Regardless of how he does, Dallas will need to invest more in the WR ranks this offseason. It’s an important position that requires continual draft investment. But whether or not Dallas targets a free agent could come down to their outlook on Smith.
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Note: Amari Cooper is also a free agent but I fully expect him be retained for 2020, either with the transition tag or with a long-term agreement