Is Cowboys' Ryan Flournoy Ready To Be Dak Prescott's 'Big-Time Guy?'

One player that I have been intrigued to watch develop this offseason for the Dallas Cowboys is receiver Ryan Flournoy.

Having made a big impression last season, as he produced 475 yards and 4 TDs from 40 receptions, 29 of which were for first downs, you could see Flournoy developing nicely.

The Cowboys didn't offer Jalen Tolbert a contract this offseason because they wanted Flournoy to be the third receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

As OTAs have begun at The Star - with this week's move to mandatory minicamp - Flo's work has been noticeable, as he grabbed four receptions last Tuesday while working as the leading guy in the absense of Lamb and Pickens.

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That is what Dallas wants to see from Flo as he takes that next step in his development.

But what exactly is the next step for Ryan?

Well, his quarterback Dak Prescott knows.

"Becoming a big-time guy," Dak said. "I think it's been beneficial for him just one, having the year he had, but then getting in this offseason and not having GP here.

"Even days, right, where maybe CeeDee's not here, he's the one guy in a sense, and for him to get in there to take those reps, to be in a primary role, and has shown up each and every day with the right energy.

"But making plays out there, becoming a leader, becoming a vocal guy. I expect big things for him, but that's just who Flo is."

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So, Flo isn't here to make up the numbers. He's here to be a genuine difference-maker.

To an extent, last season, Prescott already viewed him as such. Several times down the stretch, if there was a crucial third down that had to be converted, Prescott would connect with Flournoy for the conversion.

Not CeeDee. Not George. Flournoy.

That speaks volumes about the trust Dak had in his young receiver and the chemistry the pair built last season.

And it is clear that as Ryan enters Year 3, he's ready for the next step.

Even our own Mike Fisher stated on the Fish Report that Flournoy "looked like a real football player" at OTAs, which is a big feather in his cap.

He wasn't struggling with his routes or knowing what to do and where to be. He had everything under control.

I get it, it can be tough to keep a lid on things at this stage of the offseason because the offense is going against air, and the defense can't hit.

But for Flournoy, it appears he's doing all the right things, and right now, as minicamp is about to start on Tuesday, Dallas looks justified in giving him the third receiver role.

And then? Onto Oxnard we go to see if this is sustainable.