Cowboys CeeDee Lamb vs. Justin Jefferson for 2023 Offensive Player of The Year?

Is 2023 the year that Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb finally outshines his draft peer-turned-conference rival in Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson?

Back in 2020 when Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb was a draft prospect, he was widely considered the top receiver in the class.

And since making his debut, he's lived up to and maybe even exceeded expectations. His 3,396 receiving yards rank No. 12 all-time for a player through their first three seasons, and his receiving-yards-per-game average ranks fourth all-time amongst Cowboys players despite having to play behind Amari Cooper at the start of his career.

So why isn’t the star player on America’s team more heralded by the media for his astounding success early on in his career?

Of the six receivers taken in that 2020 first round, Lamb has had the misfortune of being outshone by a man that wasn’t even the top receiver on his college team …Minnesota Viking star Justin Jefferson.

But perhaps the next question that needs to be asked is this: If Lamb gets as many targets as Jefferson next season, will the Offensive Player of The Year Trophy go to the underrated Cowboys’ star?

In order to do so, he certainly has to raise his level of play to match that of Jefferson, but signs could be pointing toward the two being in a tight race for the award.

Despite being the fifth receiver taken in his class, Jefferson has essentially shattered every record for a pass-catcher during his unprecedented hot start to his career, eclipsing Lamb’s total receiving yardage by 1,429. For context, Lamb set a new personal high for yards in a season last year when he finished with 1,406.

What the yardage totals hide is the massive discrepancy in targets. Jefferson has a near identical catch percentage to the Dallas star, but 90 more targets since they began playing professionally.

Lamb had more touchdowns than Jefferson last season despite playing fewer games and was also an All-Pro team member. However, he'll for now remain in Jefferson’s shadow nationally because he's lacked opportunities to pile up equally impressive stats.

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You can follow Isaiah DeAnda Delgado on Twitter and Instagram @IsaiahDDelgado.

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