Ryan Flournoy Is Making His Case - And the Cowboys Should Be Listening
The Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver room has been in a constant state of shuffle behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but Ryan Flournoy might just be putting an end to that carousel. The 26-year-old wideout is turning heads - not just with flashy plays, but with consistent, meaningful production. Over the last two games, Flournoy has hauled in 13 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown, including a solid showing in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings, where he finished second on the team in both receptions (4) and receiving yards (40).
That’s not just filling in - that’s stepping up.
WR3 No More?
The WR3 spot in Dallas has been a revolving door in recent years. This season, Jalen Tolbert was expected to take that next step, but inconsistency has kept him from locking down the role.
His recent back-to-back inactives, including Week 15, speak volumes. The Cowboys have been looking for that reliable third option behind Lamb and Pickens, and it’s looking more and more like Flournoy is ready to claim that spot for good.
Flournoy’s emergence couldn’t come at a better time - not just for the Cowboys’ offense, but for the front office as well. He’s still under contract through next season, so there’s no immediate pressure, but that window could close fast. If he keeps trending upward, his value is only going to rise, and Dallas could be staring down a much steeper price tag if they wait too long.
Lock Him Up Early
The Cowboys are already facing a key decision with George Pickens’ contract situation. But while Pickens may be the headline, Flournoy is quietly becoming a priority in his own right. He’s shown enough to warrant serious extension talks this offseason - not as a luxury, but as a strategic move to secure long-term depth and continuity at a position that’s notoriously difficult to stabilize.
Let’s be honest: Lamb and Pickens are already in the conversation as one of the league’s top wide receiver duos. Add a reliable, ascending WR3 into the mix, and you’re talking about a trio that could be downright unguardable. If Flournoy continues earning Dak Prescott’s trust - and all signs point to that happening - this group could give defensive coordinators nightmares for years to come.
And it’s not just about what he’s done lately. Flournoy, a sixth-round pick in 2024, already has two 100-yard games this season.
That’s not a fluke - that’s a player who’s learning how to win at the NFL level. If he keeps stacking performances like these, other teams will take notice.
Come March 2027, wide receiver-needy franchises could be lining up to throw big money his way.
A Win-Win Opportunity
Getting ahead of the curve with an extension would benefit both sides. For the Cowboys, it’s a chance to lock down a rising player before his market value spikes.
For Flournoy, it’s job security and a vote of confidence from a team that gave him his shot. That kind of stability is rare in this league, and it’s something both parties should be eager to secure.
Bottom line: Flournoy has earned a seat at the table. He’s gone from a depth piece to a difference-maker in a matter of weeks.
If the Cowboys want to end their annual WR3 search once and for all, they already have their answer in-house. Now it’s just a matter of making it official.