Jeremy Fowler’s ESPN survey has ranked CeeDee Lamb at No. 6 in the top-10 WRs heading into the 2026 season, based on the rankings of NFL executives, scouts, and coaches. One NFC scout believes that Lamb’s value extends beyond his individual production.

The NFC scout believes that Lamb’s elite route running and playmaking ability force the defenses to pay attention to him, while it creates favorable matchups for his teammates. 

“With his ability to separate and make big plays, the attention he demands creates opportunities for others in the offense,” one NFC scout said, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. “He's still on the short list of guys who give you problems consistently.” 

Lamb's ability to draw coverage helps open up the Cowboys’ passing attack, making him one of the league’s most difficult receivers. On top of that, he's crossed the 1,000-yard mark in every NFL season he's played except for his rookie year.

While the NFC scout hails him for being one of the Cowboys' most dangerous passing weapons of the Cowboys offense, another NFL coordinator expressed his dissatisfaction with Lamb’s performance in the 2025 season, citing injury as one of his reasons for inconsistency.

"I expect him to have a bounce-back year," an NFL coordinator said, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. "He was never quite the same [last year] off that ankle injury."

Lamb suffered an ankle injury in the Week 3 game against the Chicago Bears last year, making him miss three games.

Despite the injury, Lamb posted 75 receptions for 1,077 receiving yards and three touchdowns, with 14.4 yards per reception and 76.9 yards gained per game for 14 games.

Fowler noted that Lamb's six years of consistent production and play-making ability helped him rank sixth, while attributing last season's dip in production and ranking to injuries.

CeeDee Lamb slipped from No. 4 in ESPN's WR rankings

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN wrote in the same article that Lamb had his "worst statistical season" last year across the six seasons in the league, and had lesser consistency post his injury. Lamb was ranked at No. 4 in ESPN's top-10 WR rankings for the 2024 season.

"Usually an after-the-catch standout, his 322 yards after the catch were down for his standards, too," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote in the same article as above. "And his eight drops tied for second in the NFL behind Travis Kelce."

Fowler noted that Lamb posted 571 receptions across 6 years, with five consecutive 1,000 receiving yards, exceeding Dez Bryant's record in receptions (537 across 9 years), ranking him third in franchise history in that category.

As he enters his prime, Lamb is expected to reclaim the Cowboys' No. 1 target role while continuing to contribute in the high-volume offense of the team.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote