Jerry Jones isn’t messing around. After that brutal, final-second loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio, the Cowboys owner wasted no time trying to change the narrative. Late Wednesday night, the club pulled off a blockbuster trade, sending future draft picks out and bringing in cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team needed more talent on defense, period, and they went out and got it. Sitting with a 1-2 record, this season is still absolutely salvageable, but only if their best defenders start living up to the hype they’ve built. That’s why the player power rankings look so wildly different heading into Week 4 compared to Week 1, with some guys making shocking leaps and others falling off a cliff.
CeeDee Lamb Takes the Top Spot, Prescott Still Balling
There’s a brand new No. 1 in the rankings, and honestly, it’s through no fault of the guy he replaced. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been spectacular this season, even if he hasn’t been absolutely perfect. But wide receiver CeeDee Lamb? He pretty much has been. Lamb is catching an absurd 80% of his targets, hauling in 20 of 25 throws. He’s averaging over 15 yards per reception and has already scored three touchdowns. This isn’t some flash in the pan either, it’s an extension of an absolutely ridiculous run to end last season. Over Lamb’s last full 17 games, he’s compiled over 1,600 yards on 110 receptions. That’s elite, game-changing production right there.
Opposite him, wideout George Pickens hasn’t had the start to the season many expected, and he’s slid a bit in the rankings. But don’t you dare worry about Pickens. Coverages are going to return to focusing on Lamb in the very near future, and that’s going to open things up big time for the All-Pro.
The Risers and Fallers: Who’s Stepping Up, Who’s Sliding Away?
While Lamb’s ascent to No. 1 is huge, the real story in these rankings is the sheer volatility. Some guys are flying up the board, making their presence felt early in the season, while others are absolutely cratering. Edge Rashan Gary takes the crown for the biggest slider, dropping an unbelievable 25 spots from No. 8 all the way down to No. 33. Safety Jalen Thompson also took a big hit, falling 11 spots from No. 13 to No. 24. Center Cooper Beebe dropped 11 spots too, from No. 14 to No. 25, showing some struggles on the offensive line. DT Kenny Clark slid 7 spots to No. 17, and CB DaRon Bland went down 6 spots to No. 18. When your defense is supposed to be the strength, seeing those kinds of drops is definitely a concern.
But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom. Some players are absolutely making the most of their early season opportunities. Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford made a massive jump, climbing 16 spots from No. 29 to No. 13. Defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia also saw a big rise, up 11 spots from No. 23 to No. 12. Left tackle Tyler Guyton improved 10 spots, going from No. 20 to No. 10. And both defensive end LT Overton and wide receiver Johnathan Mingo made 8-spot leaps, landing at No. 31 and No. 30 respectively. Other notable movers include DE Jonathan Bullard up 7 spots to No. 40, FB Hunter Luepke up 1 to No. 39, OT Terence Steele up 2 to No. 32, and Edge Malachi Lawrence up 3 to No. 29.
This team is 1-2, and while the Joey Porter Jr. trade is a clear signal that the front office is serious about bolstering the defense, the players on the field still have to perform. These rankings show just how much is on the line right now. The season is young, but the clock is ticking for everyone to step up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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