Dallas Cowboys 2016 Season In Review: Wide Receivers
Before we officially close the books on the 2016 season this Sunday, let’s examine the Dallas Cowboys position by position. By doing this the goal is to highlight successes that helped get the team to 13-3 as well as identify areas where improvement is needed to avoid another disappointing playoff defeat. To kick things off, the wide receivers.
Dez Bryant
Pro Football Focus Rank : 11th (84.8)
Season Stats : 50 receptions 796 yards 15.9 avg. 8 TDs
After a slow start to the 2016 campaign versus the New York Giants, Dez responded in typical 88 fashion, posting 7 catches for 102 yards the following week against the hated Redskins. However any momentum was halted week three when Bryant went down with a tibial plateau fracture/bone bruise. The injury would ultimately sideline him for a month of game action. Dallas’ top target would return week 8 for his annual torching of the Eagles, this time to the tune of 4 receptions 113 yards and a touchdown. In fact, Bryant would top 70 receiving yards in 7 of his last 9 games. His 8 touchdowns also placed him inside the league’s top 10, despite missing time due to the injury. It will undoubtedly take some time for Dez to develop the type of chemistry with Dak Prescott that he had with Tony Romo, but they seem to be off to a promising start. The two had their best game of the season in the playoff loss to Green Bay with Bryant racking up 9 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Dez will continue to be the focal point of the Cowboy passing attack in 2017.
Final Grade : A-
Cole Beasley
Pro Football Focus Rank : 13th (84.2)
Season Stats : 75 receptions 833 yards 11.1 avg. 5 TDs
Cole Beasley firmly established himself as one of the NFL’s premier slot receivers in 2016. When Tony Romo went down during the pre season, Beasley became a safety blanket of sorts for young rookie Dak Prescott. Cole and Prescott hit the ground running as Beasley hauled in 20 receptions over the first three games of the season. He was one of Dak’s go to guys on third down, especially while Bryant was sidelined. Cole became the teams #1 receiver during this period as Terrance Williams and Brice Butler were unable to capitalize on 88’s absence. Beasley finished the year as the team leader in receptions and yards.
Final Grade : A-
Terrance Williams
Pro Football Focus Rank : 49th (74.7)
Season Stats : 44 receptions 594 yards 13.5 avg. 4 TDs
Ah, where to start with T-Will. Both lauded and vilified by Cowboy fans and reporters alike, he seemingly is what he is after his fourth season in the league. Williams will make the spectacular catch one moment while letting one bounce off his chest a few plays later. He was impacted the most by the changing of guard at quarterback as evident by his 13.5 avg. and 594 yards, both career lows. Terrance has never missed a game in his four year career which will serve him well on the free agent market this offseason. While Dallas has expressed their desire to bring him back, another team may offer him enough money for the Cowboys to walk away.
Final Grade: B-
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Brice Butler
Pro Football Focus Rank : 92nd (58.6)
Season Stats : 16 receptions 219 yards 13.7 avg. 3 TDs
Butler entered the 2016 season with many fans hoping he could emerge as the team’s 3rd or possibly 2nd option in the passing game. He achieved neither and was often times not even the 4th or 5th option. Brice had his best game of the season against the 49ers hauling in 5 balls for 41 yards and a touchdown. However, inconsistency and untimely penalties may be the reason he is playing elsewhere in 2017, as he is also a free agent.
Final Grade : C
Lucky Whitehead
Pro Football Focus Rank : DNQ (55.9)
Season Stats : 3 receptions 48 yards 16 avg. 0 TDs
Whitehead was a wide receiver by name only in 2016. He caught just 3 passes, with most of his work coming on jet sweeps and as the return man on special teams. Lucky ranked toward the bottom of the league as a return man with his 23.2 average placing him 28th, while also fumbling three times. For comparison Cordarrelle Patterson ranked third in the league with a 31.7 average. That is nearly a first down difference in field position for the offense. Factor in Whitehead’s off field incidents such as being suspended before the Giant game for violation of team rules, and I would not be entirely shocked if the team moved on from him this offseason.
Final Grade : C-
Overall Position Grade : B+
As a whole the wide receiver group had a successful 2016 season, buoyed mostly by the play of Bryant and Beasley. The Cowboys will have some tough choices to make in the coming months mainly concerning Terrance Williams. While he has done enough to warrant Dallas keeping him, it has to be for the right price. I do think the team could upgrade the depth here though. Whether through the draft or by signing someone like Cordarrelle Patterson, who could replace 2 out of the 3 of Williams, Butler and Whitehead.
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