Cowboys VP Stephen Jones: CeeDee Lamb 'has got to improve'

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones called out wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who struggled in a 19-3 loss against the Buccaneers in Week 1.

“CeeDee has got to improve and work his way into being the No. 1 receiver,” Jones said Monday on KRLD-FM in Dallas. The Buccaneers blanketed Lamb, who made two catches for 29 yards on 11 targets.

Before the season, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott was among those who thought Lamb would become an elite receiver. 

“Expect him to go and be mentioned as one of those names when the season’s done,” Prescott said when asked about Lamb possibly eclipsing Cooper Kupp (Rams) and Davante Adams (Raiders). 

Lamb will try to meet these lofty expectations without Prescott, who’s out six to eight weeks after injuring his right thumb in Week 1. Cooper Rush replaced Prescott after the injury. Will Grier, on Dallas' practice squad, is the only other QB on the roster. 

On Sunday, the Cowboys played without injured wideouts Michael Gallup and James Washington. Because the Cowboys lack quality depth at the position, defenses can double-team Lamb. 

Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, however, cut Lamb no slack. He recently described the difference between Lamb and Vikings star Justin Jefferson as the "distance between Earth and Pluto." Jefferson torched the Packers on Sunday for 184 yards receiving.

The Cowboys drafted Lamb (No. 17) five spots before Jefferson (No. 22) in the 2020 NFL Draft.