The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror, with quite a few surprises taking place. However, none of them might have been as shocking as the Dallas Cowboys being able to select CeeDee Lamb with the No. 17 pick.
Throughout the pre-draft process, Lamb was linked with Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs in the top tier of wide receivers available. As a matter of fact, most people either had Jeudy or Lamb as the No. 1 wide receiver in this year's draft class.
But with the No. 12 pick of the draft, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Ruggs, making him the first receiver off of the board. Then, just a few picks later, the Denver Broncos decided to go with Jeudy. Once Denver took Jeudy, it became apparent that the Cowboys could have a legitimate shot at getting Lamb in the first round.
Even though wide receiver wasn't an urgent need, Dallas knew they had to select the best player available. When the Cowboys were on the clock, Jerry Jones was smiling ear-to-ear, knowing he just got the steal of the first round of the draft. Here is why Dallas got the steal of the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by selecting Lamb.
Reasons why Lamb was a steal for the Cowboys
Again, there's no doubt that the Cowboys had more dire needs on their roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But when you have a chance to take an electric playmaker like Lamb in the first round, it's hard to pass on the opportunity.
First and foremost, Dallas having the chance to select Lamb was more than just them taking the best player available. Without a doubt, the Cowboys were extremely fortunate to have Lamb questionably fall further in the draft than what was expected.
On the other hand, the Cowboys taking the Oklahoma product was also a strategic move in a sense. Prior to Dallas being on the clock, the Atlanta Falcons possessed the No. 16 pick and were open to moving back in the draft. Thus, allowing someone like the Philadelphia Eagles, who desperately needed a receiver, to jump to the No. 16 spot.
Nonetheless, the Eagles chose not to manufacture a trade up and remained put at the No. 21 pick. While Philadelphia botched the chance of getting Lamb, the Cowboys didn't waste any time drafting him.
So not only did the Cowboys get a massive steal in adding Lamb, they were able to prevent their NFC East rivals from getting him. In getting Lamb, Dallas is getting a wide receiver that averaged 19 yards per reception in his three collegiate seasons.
Additionally, the former Sooner is capable of creating after the catch, adding another dimension to the Cowboys' aerial attack. While Dak Prescott is under center, an offensive arsenal of Lamb, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Ezekiel Elliott are going to cause headaches for opposing defensive coordinators for years to come.
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