2nd-year sixth-round pick is Cowboys WR sleeper with chance to shine
No position will ofer more false positives in training camp than wide receiver. Early practices are in shells and without contact, tilting advantages grossly in the offense's direction. Running backs look like home run machines and pass catchers look like unstoppable forces. It seems every year a down-roster WR catches the eyes of Cowboys Nation early, only to disappoint late. It's why this year we identify a WR with the traits to see it through to the end.
The reason so many WR prospects flame out in training camp is they don't have NFL caliber traits. Lots of players can look good in shells, in man coverage and against down-roster cornerbacks. But when the coverages start changing, the pads come on, and a better contingent of talent takes the field, the wheat and chaff separate. Ryan Flournoy is a player who may just be the wheat the Cowboys are looking for.
Flournoy, drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft, is the very definition of 'project player.' The athletically gifted prospect played in an extremely vanilla scheme in a fairly obscure football program. The Southeast Missouri product entered the league abnormally raw and showed steady progress as a rookie. His 10 receptions for 102 yards were actually more than Jalen Tolbert posted in his first season and a sign Flournoy is on the right trajectory for a breakout.
Rookie Ryan Flournoy with the TD catch 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8jMpTd6y7s
Given the Cowboys' roster situation, it's extremely unlikely Flournoy will be vying for a starting spot in 2025. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens have the top two spots locked down and Tobert is the favorite for WR3. The best Flournoy could hope to do is challenge third-year pro Jonathan Mingo for a role. Mingo is someone everyone's been waiting to pop since he joined the league and is now probably the anthesis of a sleeper since he's tasked with living up to the hype. Flournoy, the better special teams player of the two, is behind Mingo on the depth chart and it's not unreasonable to think he could jump him on the active roster some weeks.
Dak going to rookie WR Ryan Flournoy on back to back plays pic.twitter.com/cRinrex9m8
Flournoy (9.89) and Mingo (9.86) have nearly identical Relative Athletic Scores so it's clear the Cowboys front office has a 'type' they scout for. They want developmental players to have an NFL skillset and Flournoy has that and then some. As much fun as it is to root for down-roster WRs like Jalen Brooks, Jalen Cropper, Kelvin Harmon, or Josh Kelly, they just don't have the same skillset Flournoy brings to the table which is why Flournoy is the sleeper to watch this summer in training camp.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
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