Cowboys' Ryan Flournoy Set For Key Role Under Schottenheimer?

On the offensive side of the ball for the Dallas Cowboys last season, there was a lot to be happy about.

Yes, CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, Javonte Williams, and George Pickens stole all the headlines, but there was also another weapon that proved he deserves to be a key cog in the machine in 2026.

And that's Ryan Flournoy.

Coming off a career year where he posted 475 yards and 4 TDs from 40 receptions, "Flo" announced himself as a Prescott safety blanket on third down.

Of Ryan's 40 receptions, 29 of them went for first downs. He's a chain mover, folks.

Now, as Flournoy enters Year 3 as WR3, that comes with its own set of pressures.

The Cowboys allowed Jalen Tolbert to talk in free agency, thus giving the nod to Flournoy to assume the mantle of the third receiver behind CeeDee and George.

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Some might see it as an opportunity to build on what was a good second season, but for me, I see it as a chance for Flo to really stress defenses in 2026.

How so? Let's walk through it.

We know that most of the attention in the passing game will go on Lamb and Pickens, right? That's a given.

If Lamb is double-teamed, Pickens needs another player to help move the chains, and vice versa.

If Flournoy can take his game to the next level and turn his 475 yards from 2025 into, say, 650 and 5 TDs, the Cowboys will have a dangerous three-headed monster in the passing game.

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Given Dak's trust in Flournoy last season to look his way so many times on crucial third downs, that suggests that with another offseason, the trust will only grow.

If defenses have to worry about Pickens and Lamb, but then Flournoy pops up with catches consistently, that will help ease the pressure on No. 88 and No. 3 to be the driving forces.

Granted, it might be asking too much for a player in Year 3, but Flournoy proved last season that the moment isn't too big for him.

And with a full offseason to get starting reps and build chemistry with Prescott, the Cowboys might not have a dynamic duo on offense. They might have a terrific trio to tear teams apart with in 2026.

Flo has his chance to make a real statement. Let's see if he does.