Dak Prescott says valuable Cowboys receiver has taught CeeDee Lamb ‘how to get better’

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Throughout the 2023 season, the Dallas Cowboys passing game has earned plenty of praise for good reason.

Currently fourth in passing yards-per-game (255.5), the 32 touchdown passes through the air for Dallas this season is the most alongside the 49ers (32).

Dak Prescott‘s thrown for over 4,000 yards for only the third time in his NFL career (4,237), while his leading partner in crime, CeeDee Lamb, is earning most of the praise among Cowboys wide receivers.

Lamb’s been the explosive man down the field, averaging 13.5 yards-per-catch, sitting second behind Tyreek Hill in the receiving department.

For all the franchise and NFL records that Lamb’s broken in 2023, the fourth-year receiver may not be where he is if not for a newcomer to the receiving corps.

Brandin Cooks Veteran Leadership

Last offseason, the Cowboys added Brandin Cooks, hoping he could take some pressure off Lamb and be a consistent secondary pass-catcher.

Although he’s on track for his lowest statistical season for receiving yards since 2019 (618 in 2023), the 10th-year former All-American in college is proving to be an invaluable asset to the Cowboys’ offense.

Prescott says his leadership has been essential to a guy like Lamb.

“Throughout the year, he’s really showing CeeDee how to prepare, how to get better and to not be satisfied with any point.

“That’s who Brandin is … Mr. Consistent. He’s consistent in his attitude each and every day, consistent in his work ethic, consistent in taking care of his body. All of that translates to him making plays on the field when the time is needed and making big-time catches.”

Cooks has 48 catches heading into the final encounter of the season, with seven TD grabs, third on the team behind Jake Ferguson and Lamb.

He’s been a 1,000-yard receiver six times in his career, and though he won’t get there this season, his seven TD catches are the most for him in a single season since 2017 (seven with the Patriots).

Cooks is the first player in NFL history with 1,000 receiving yards in three successive campaigns with three different teams: The New Orleans Saints (2016), New England Patriots (2017) and LA Rams (2018).

Trusting the Process

Cooks’ quick hands, speed, and balance are still evident at 30, but his confidence seems to resonate in the Cowboys’ locker room.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated this week, Cooks says, “I’ve always talked about trusting the process.”

“That’s what it’s all about, so anytime I get an opportunity, I just had to take advantage of it and be the best I can for my teammates.”

In his career to date, Cooks has six NFL playoff games under his belt, putting together some big performances on a couple of occasions.

During the 2017 AFC Championship Game, he had six receptions for 100 yards, helping the Patriots defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20.

The following season, Cooks made seven receptions for 107 yards in the NFC Championship Game for the Rams against his former team, the Saints, helping LA make the Super Bowl with a 26-23 overtime victory.

The Super Bowl trophy continues to elude Cooks, while he has yet to score a receiving playoff touchdown.

He’s got a TD in back-to-back games for Dallas, and this is the time of year when they may need him most.