Cowboys CeeDee Lamb Ranks in NFL Top 50; What's Next to 'Elite'?

Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb had a career-best season last year, but is he set to move into elite status?

CeeDee Lamb announced to the NFL that he was a No. 1 receiver last year as he had a career-best season with the Dallas Cowboys. After Amari Cooper was traded to the Cleveland Browns, Lamb was thrust into the role.

While it took a minute for Lamb to get acclimated, once he did, his talent shined, so much so that he made it inside the NFL's Top 50 players (No. 48), according to NFL.com.

"Lamb broke out in a big way in 2022 with 107 catches and nine touchdown receptions. It was a big leap forward from his career-best 79 catches in 2021," NFL.com wrote.

Lamb's stats make for good reading. He finished his season with 107 receptions, 1,359 yards, and nine touchdowns while averaging 79.9 yards per game and a catch percentage of 68.6 (all stats career highs).

So those stats catapulted Lamb from No. 95 in 2021 to No. 48 in 2022, but can he go even farther, and higher, next season?

What needs to be noticed is Lamb achieved those career-high stats with Cooper Rush as his quarterback for five games. He didn't have a 100-yard game with Rush but produced five with Dak Prescott. If Dak can play all 17 regular-season games next year, then Lamb's production could surpass what he accomplished in 2022.

It is also worth noting the receivers that are ranked ahead of Lamb in the NFL's Top 50 list. A.J. Brown (No. 47), Cooper Kupp (No. 26), Stefon Diggs (No. 20), Davante Adams (No. 17), Ja'Marr Chase (No. 16), Tyreek Hill (No. 12) and Justin Jefferson (No. 7) are the only receivers above Lamb.

That is quite some company, and Lamb will be looking to move into the "elite" category next season, and potentially an Offensive Player of the Year candidate.

Aside from Hill (1,710 yards) and Jefferson (1,809 yards), Lamb was only behind the other receivers by at most, 157 yards (Adams 1,516). So there is scope to move into that elite bracket next season.

With head coach Mike McCarthy now the play-caller and an emphasis on quick, crisp throws from Prescott in the "Texas Coast Offense," Lamb has every chance to better his numbers. Brandin Cooks joining the Cowboys will also help Lamb's cause. Being the center of the defense's attention last season, No. 88 will likely see far more "friendly" coverages next season as teams must account for Cooks' talent and home-run speed.

Lamb had a career season last year as a leader of the Cowboys' offense as the only consistent wideout threat. If his upward trajectory continues with the help from McCarthy, Prescott, and Cooks, Lamb could break into that elite category of receivers in the NFL. ... and he could take his team with him.

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