Dallas Cowboys: 2017 Rookie Review

Ryan Switzer, WR

Maybe Ryan Switzer is no longer the slot receiver of the future, but the slot receiver of the present as his rookie season is now complete and the Dallas Cowboys will be making a decision on Cole Beasley as he enters the final year of his contract.

If the Cowboys decide to keep Beasley, that could hamper the progression and playing time of Switzer, the Cowboys’ fourth-round pick in 2017. If Beasley is cut from the roster due to his contract, well, Switzer will be looked at to be what Beasley became a couple seasons ago.

In his rookie season, Switzer was more of a special teams specialist with 24 kickoff returns for 600 yards and 29 punt returns for 256 yards and one touchdown. Switzer was excellent on special teams this past season, averaging 8.83 yards per punt return and 23 yards per kickoff return.

As a receiver, he was targeted just seven times, and five of those came in the season finale. Switzer totaled six receptions on the year for 41 yards, and in the aforementioned season finale game against the Philadelphia Eagles he had four of those receptions for 32 yards. He also rushed the ball four times for five yards in his rookie season.

If Switzer is given a larger role on the offense in 2018, he could be a very versatile player for the Cowboys, making their offense more exciting. If Switzer can be the player Beasley is or was a couple seasons ago, plus still be the top kickoff and punt returner, Switzer just might become the “jack of all trades” player they’ve needed the past few seasons, making him very valuable to the team in the foreseeable future.