FRISCO, Texas - While there's a perception that CeeDee Lamb is way behind his record-setting season he put together in 2023, a closer look at the stats shows he's barely behind last year's numbers.
Obviously, the expectations are much higher now after his training-camp holdout and then signing a four-year, $136 million extension as one of the highest-paid receivers in the league.
But after six games this year, Lamb has 32 catches for 467 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2023, at the six-game mark, Lamb had 34 catches for 475 yards and one touchdown.
Clearly, there are some differences and Cowboys WR coach Robert Prince says the coverages have been more consistent in doubling Lamb.
"Yeah, there's probably a little bit more cloud (coverage) on him and especially on third down," Prince said. " And you'll see they'll play some man with double coverage on him (but) he has the opportunity to still beat double coverages, but he also knows that hey, if he's doubled, some other guys are getting single coverage. He just wants to win and whatever we have to do, that's what he wants."
Prince was asked if putting Lamb in motion more before the snap might help free him up more.
"Yeah, but the thing is ... he wears 88 for every game, so even though we move him around, they can find 88 and we're still moving them around," Prince said. "But I think teams are doing a little bit better job of finding him and trying to double him. But we have some things that it can still defeat double coverage, so we feel pretty good about it."
Lamb was able to bolster his game around this time last year, finishing with a Cowboys single-season record of 135 receptions, the sixth-most in NFL history. He had 1,749 receiving yards - also a Cowboys record - and wound up with 12 touchdowns receptions.
The Cowboys are certainly hoping Lamb will heat up the same way here as the 2024 season continues on.
