Where Does the Cowboys Star Receiver Rank Among the Elite?

CeeDee Lamb is coming off another 1,000-yard season despite missing the last couple of games of the season due to a shoulder injury. It was a tough season for Lamb, but arguably his best as a pro, battling through quarterback and injury issues. The three-time All-Pro is entering his sixth season since being drafted by the Cowboys back in 2020 with the 17th overall pick. An elite player by all the metrics, but where does Lamb stand among the league's best?

Lamb, in his career thus far, has had 496 catches, 6,339 receiving yards, and 38 receiving touchdowns. His receiving yards since his arrival in the NFL would have him fourth only behind Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, and A.J. Brown. He has broken numerous records, including the most receiving yards in a single season in Cowboys history, where he had 1,749 receiving yards in 2023. He also has the longest streak of four catches in consecutive games in NFL history, with 44, passing longtime New Orlean Saints Michael Thomas.

Now the question remains: where does Lamb rank with the other upper echelon of receivers? The consensus top two receivers this past season were Jefferson and Bengals star player Ja’Marr Chase, but Lamb belongs to be ranked among those two. The argument against him has been that because he is the “only” receiver in Dallas, he gets all the targets, but this actually helps his case. Lamb does not have the luxury of having a super-talented receiver two next to him, like Jordan Addison or Tee Higgins. The fact Lamb still produces high-level numbers without star talent with him in Dallas speaks volumes of his ability to put the Cowboys’ passing game on his back. Since being the number one receiver after the departure of Amari Cooper, Lamb ranks third in receiving yards and first in receptions. There are many different receivers in the league currently who put up great numbers and are talented players, Chase and Jefferson being two of the best. However, do not count out Lamb because the eye test, stats, and the legacy he is leaving behind all point to him being a top-three receiver in the NFL.