Wide Receiver 2 Already on the Cowboys Roster

Ryan Flournoy College Career

Ryan Flournoy was the Cowboys’ sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Southeast Missouri State of the Ohio Valley Conference in the Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Coming out of a lower-level Division 1 conference, growing pains should be expected.

While at Southeast Missouri State, Flournoy had 1,823 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, and averaged 15.4 yards per reception in 22 of 24 games over two years.

Coming into the 2024 NFL Draft, Ryan Flournoy was 6’2” and 202 lbs and ran a 4.44 forty-yard dash.

His other measurables that caught the attention of the Dallas Cowboys scouting department were his 11-foot broad jump, which ranked in the 97th percentile, his 39.5-foot vertical jump, which ranked in the 91st percentile, and his 19 bench press reps.

His scouting summary was also interesting:

Ryan Flournoy is a physical player with the tangibles that scream upside in the later rounds of the draft. His combine numbers are off the charts, showcasing elite explosiveness and agility that make him a vertical threat and a mismatch in jump-ball scenarios. However, his time against lower-tier competition leaves questions about his ability to hold up against much better DBs he’ll see in the pro game.

On tape, Flournoy flashes the ability to win with his frame and speed, capitalizing on mismatches in the red zone and stretching defenses deep. Yet, his route tree is somewhat raw, and his releases against press coverage can lack the finesse needed. Moreover, his age suggests a narrower window for developmental strides, making his rookie impact a critical evaluation point.

Overall, Flournoy’s draft stock hinges on his ceiling as a dynamic playmaker who can be schemed into space and utilized for his YAC (yards after catch) capabilities. If he can develop a more sophisticated route inventory and improve his engagement as a blocker, he has the makings of a solid rotational piece in an NFL offense.

The summary shows a receiver with elite intangibles who needs time to adapt to the NFL’s speed.

After spending one year with an NFL coaching staff and players, getting some NFL snaps could mean that year two will be significant.

Playing a year with Cooper Rush did not do the rookie any favors in his development, but having a healthy Dak Prescott will elevate his game in 2025.

Ryan Flournoy’s Rookie Year

As mentioned above, Ryan Flournoy’s rookie season was stunted when Dak Prescott suffered a major injury, ending the quarterback’s season.

Having Cooper Rush as the starter did not allow Flournoy to reach his potential, as he had an average, at best, quarterback throwing him the ball.

He only had 10 receptions on 14 targets for 102 yards during his rookie year.

According to Pff.com, his receiving grade of 62.1 would have ranked him about 100 out of 133 receivers. This is not very promising, but the limited targets hurt him.

His 63.9 overall grade would have put him equal to Ricky Pearsall and Greg Dortch at 77 out of 133 receivers.

This ranking would also have put him within a couple of spots of Keenan Allen, Diontae Johnson, and Tyler Lockett on the list. Three names that have come up when talking about free agent signings.

Ryan Flournoy’s New Jersey Number

It may be nothing, but Ryan Flournoy will wear a new number this year.

He will be sporting the number 19 for the 2025 season.

In Dallas Cowboys wide receiver history, the number 19 has had some pretty significant players wear it. It does not have the mystique of 88, but the history is still there for 19.

Starting with the most recent player to wear 19, it was none other than Amari Cooper.

Amari Cooper, a five-time Pro Bowler, ranks 10th in Cowboys’ history for receiving yards despite just three and a half seasons with the team.

As a free agent, he is poised to enter the league’s top 50 in career receiving yards once signed by another team.

Miles Austin wore the number 19 and spent eight seasons with the Cowboys.

In those eight seasons, Austin made two Pro Bowls and ranks in the top 10 for receiving yards in Cowboys history.

In 2004, Keyshawn Johnson wore number 19. Although he was with the Dallas Cowboys for only two years, he was the team’s position leader in receptions for both seasons.

Now we get to the glory days of number 19.

A celebrated AFL star, Lance Alworth, joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1971 and took on his new number. He played a crucial role in the Cowboys’ first two Super Bowl appearances in just two seasons, scoring a touchdown in their first victory.

In 1969, Lance Rentzel led the NFL in receiving touchdowns and, despite leaving the team after just four seasons, he remains among the franchise’s top 20 in receiving yards.

There are some pretty big names who have worn the number 19, but 2025 could be the year Ryan Flournoy joins this list of players who had significant contributions.

A healthy Dak Prescott will help Ryan Flournoy reach his potential and he could be the next late-round gem the Cowboys have drafted.