Dallas Cowboys: 3 breakout players they may cut a year too early
By Reid Hanson
Dallas Cowboys Potential Breakout Cut 1
WR Cedrick Wilson
Years Pro: 3(2 on roster)
Cedrick Wilson is on just about everyone’s potential cut list this summer. At a cost of $2,183,000, he’s one of the most expensive WR4s in the NFL. And considering he’s not even a true WR4 on the Dallas Cowboys because he splits snaps with Noah Brown evenly, he seems even more overpaid.
With only 235 receiving yards as a pro, Cedrick Wilson doesn’t look very attractive on paper. But those are 235 yards more than Jimmy Smith collected in his first three seasons, and Cedrick may have a similar explosion if he’s simply given the opportunity.
I’m not saying Wilson is the second coming of Smith, I’m just stating Wilson’s production is directly related to the opportunities he’s been given. Buried behind Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup, it’s not exactly easy getting snaps in Dallas these days. And let’s be honest, even when he does get snaps, who would you throw it to: the aforementioned three playmakers or an unproven role-player like Wilson?
Despite his low place on the depth chart, Cedrick is one of the more polished players on this Dallas Cowboys roster. Even as a rookie, Wilson earned the praise of his coaching staff by being able to play any and all of the WRs spots when called upon. Here in 2021 he’s penciled in as the primary backup at all three WR spots again. Not many WR4s can claim that.
Every opportunity Wilson has been given, he’s thrived. It stands to reason, opportunity is all Wilson needs. The problem is, barring injury, opportunities aren’t expected to increase here in Dallas this season. But the Cowboys would be wise to keep an eye towards 2022 when Michael Gallup is likely gone. Wilson is someone who could slide right into that WR3 role and instantly post a 1k season.