Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker believes wide receiver CeeDee Lamb should be the first player the team prioritizes paying before the start of training camp. Hooker highlights Lamb's value to the team and his impressive performance in recent seasons.
Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker has made his pick for the player he believes the team should prioritize paying before the start of training camp: wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Hooker shared his thoughts on the "All Facts No Breaks" podcast with Keyshawn Johnson, emphasizing the crucial role Lamb plays for the Cowboys and his leadership qualities.
"I feel like CeeDee should be paid first for the simple fact of what he does for us, how valuable he is for us, [and] the leader he is for us as a team," Hooker stated.
Hooker pointed to the increasing salaries of top receivers in the league as a factor in his decision. He believes that Lamb's production and impact on the team warrant a significant contract extension.
"You got to look at what's going on around the league right now. All these big-time receivers are getting paid," Hooker said. "In my mind, CeeDee — I'm not saying he's better than these guys, but I feel like he has shown up in certain situations more than these guys have. … When he does get the ball thrown to him, it's always a big play. It's always something that's electrifying for us as a team."
Lamb, a three-time Pro Bowler and the reigning NFL receptions leader, had a stellar 2023-24 season. He finished second in receiving yards (1,749) and third in receiving touchdowns (12). He also averaged over 100 yards per game, ranking third in the league.
However, Lamb's season was marred by three fumbles, the most in the NFL. He was not present for mandatory minicamp earlier this month as he seeks a new contract.
Hooker's assessment aligns with the Cowboys' decision to rework Lamb's contract earlier this year to open up salary cap space. The 25-year-old is due $17.9 million on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.
Hooker also gave his reasons for placing quarterback Dak Prescott, linebacker Micah Parsons, and guard Zack Martin behind Lamb in the pay priority list. He believes Prescott and Martin could be interchangeable at No. 2, while Parsons still has room for improvement.
"Micah still has a lot to prove," Hooker explained. "He has done a great job his first couple of years in the league. Don't get me wrong, he's a fantastic player, [but] I feel like Micah still has a surface that he [doesn't] even know that he can scratch as far as what he's doing. I would say Micah's last, just for that reason."
Johnson expressed surprise at Hooker's comments about Parsons, considering they play on the same side of the ball. However, Hooker clarified that he was not endorsing other players' financial negotiations but rather expressing his belief that Lamb deserves priority.
"I was surprised, though, because typically, as a player, you don't really get into other people's financial mess unless [you're] endorsing them to get paid," Johnson said. "I was a little shocked, although he did acknowledge the fact that Micah doesn't even understand where he could potentially be. So by that, maybe he meant to say, ‘Don't do it now. Let's wait and completely back the Brink's truck up when you go this year. There's no need to rush into it.'"
