Cowboys Draft Smallish WR? Should CeeDee Lamb-Led Dallas 'Break the Mold'?

North Carolina slot receiver Josh Downs projects as one of the top players at this position heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. Is he a Cowboys fit? Only if Dallas wants to "break the mold.''

The Dallas Cowboys are entering their offseason with several key positions to address for 2023. 

Though cornerback and offensive line have been the most common fodder for speculation, the Cowboys also have a clear need for help at wide receiver — specifically a potentially dynamic talent to pair with top wideout CeeDee Lamb.

Enter North Carolina product, and slot receiver extraordinaire, Josh Downs.

The junior wideout is being touted as one of this year's top prospects. In his final season with the Tar Heels, Downs caught 94 passes for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also averaged 10.9 yards per catch.

His athleticism allows him to be effective out of the slot, he's said to be adept at making contested catches, and he plays with "tenacity.''

But ... He is 5-10 and 171.

And despite the fact that Downs projects as an early-to-mid second-round (the Cowboys are slated to begin their draft at No. 26 in the first round), that does not fit the mold at The Star.

The cupboard in the Cowboys’ receivers room is a bit bare, beyond Lamb. Michael Gallup finished the season with 39 catches for 424 and four touchdowns — a far cry from Lamb’s team-leading 107 receptions for 1359 yards and nine scores. Veteran Noah Brown also added 555 yards with three touchdowns. 

But Lamb (6-2, 200), Gallup (6-1, 200), Brown (6-3, 225) and rookie Jalen Tolbert (6-1, 198) have size. And that's no coincidence. The Cowboys have a "mold'' at wideout, an "ideal'' size.

With quarterback Dak Prescott clearly in need of pass-catching help, the question for the Cowboys braintrust - is Downs, or a player like him - worth breaking the mold for?

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.

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