Dallas knew that they would be thinner at wide receiver than in previous years. The promise of Michael Gallup’s return and CeeDee Lamb at their top of the depth charts, Cowboys management seemed comfortable enough with their personnel to not pursue big-name wideouts. Jerry Jones and his company instead opted to draft additions such as Jalen Tolbert, and minor free agents like James Washington and KaVontae Torpin to complete the receiving corps. After Washington’s foot injury, Washington was forced to leave practice in Oxnard Monday.
According to reports, Washington has suffered a fracture in his right leg. He will need surgery and be out of action for six to ten weeks. This development makes a already fragile list of Cowboys wide receivers even more worrying. Dallas has the good news that there are still many wideouts available on the market who could fill Washington’s shoes.
Cowboys Wide Recipient Options for James Washington Replacement
3. Cole Beasley
Dallas might consider a familiar name when they look to the free agents market. After averaging more than 800 yards per year in three seasons with the Bills , Cole Beasley was released by the Buffalo Bills this offseason. Beasley made his debut as a Cowboy in 2016, when he was named Dak Prescott’s favorite wide receiver during the rookie season.
Beasley could be a potential returnee for the Cowboys, who may profit from that connection. Although the SMU product’s 2019 departure from Dallas was contentious, Beasley sent a tweet in response to questions about whether he would be willing to return to Cowboys.
2. Will Fuller
Will Fuller is the most outstanding wide receiver on the market. Fuller is also one the Cowboys’ most volatile options after being out of action last season due to a PED suspension and personal issues.
Fuller’s ability to perform at the highest level during his career is not a concern. Fuller rushed for nearly 900 yards with eight touchdowns in only 11 games during his last season in Houston.
The Cowboys currently have a very difficult time finding wide receiver personnel. Fuller’s upside may be enough to convince the Cowboys to give him a shot, as they have little time before the season starts. The Cowboys might try to trade Brandin Cooks, Fuller’s Texans teammate, if that fails.
1. T.Y. Hilton or Odell Beckham Jr.
T.Y. could be a possibility for the Cowboys, who have had enough problems with injuries at wide receiver. Hilton or Odell Jr.
Hilton has missed 16 contests and has not reached the 1,000-yard summit in any year since 2018. Hilton hasn’t played in a game for a quarterback of Dak Preston’s caliber since Indy’s Andrew Luck era. There are good reasons to believe that Hilton and the Cowboys could form a union.
Beckham’s injuries are more recent. Beckham, a former NFC East wideout, has been without a team since last year’s Super Bowl. Like Hilton, Beckham hasn’t been a dominant pass catcher for a while. Like Hilton, OBJ also missed significant time because of injury and has struggled with poor quarterback play in recent years. OBJ may look strange in silver and blue, after his time playing for the New York Giants. But he could also be a great ceiling play for Dallas’ top office.
Other Options for Cowboys
The Cowboys will need to consider older pass-catchers if they want to sign all the free agents. DeSean and Emmanuel Sanders, both 35 years old respectively, are the oldest available free agent wide receivers after Danny Amendola’s retirement. Jackson’s 454 yards and 626 receiving yards was better than Sanders’s, but Jackson’s deep-ball ability seems to have followed him into his final years. Jackson averaged 22.7 yards per reception in 2013 and his touchdown catch of 75 yards against the Buccaneers reminded everyone of how instant offense he can still provide.