FRISCO - There was a time when Jerry Jones swung for the fences when it came to acquiring receivers.
Granted some were home runs and some deteriorated into embarrassing strikeouts. Anyone remember the bold trades for Joey Galloway (2000) and Roy Williams (2008) and the draft-day move up for Dez Bryant (2010)? Or the aggressive free-agency signing of Terrell Owens in 2006?
These days the Cowboys are singles hitters. Maybe, even bunters?
While this NFL offseason have seen top-level receivers find new teams, the Cowboys ultimately passed in search of bargains straight from the basement bin.
The Washington Commanders traded for Deebo Samuel. Veterans DK Metcalf, Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins and Josh Palmer all found new homes. The Cowboys apparently had enough interest in former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp to have Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb get on the phone with him in a recruiting attempt, but then bailed when the price was too steep - $15 million seems out of whack for a declining, oft-injured player - and he ultimately signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
There have even been rumored connections to former Buffalo Bills' Pro Bowl star Stefon Diggs. But this week he is in Foxboro visiting the New England Patriots.
Veteran receivers available include Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen and Tyler Lockett, but all are past their prime.
So, here we are. The Cowboys head into the NFL Draft with essentially the same receiving corps as they sported in 2024. Oh, minus veteran Brandin Cooks. After the Cowboys issued his No. 3 jersey to Dante Fowler Jr., the writing's seemingly on that wall.
Other than Lamb, they will count on the likes of Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Tolbert, Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Brooks and Kavontae Turpin.
But talk about a free-agent "single," the Cowboys did sign Parris Campbell off the Philadelphia Eagles. His production last season: six catches for 30 yards.
