A big hit?

Cowboys make another shrewd move in drafting Lamb

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The Dallas Cowboys have had a pretty good off-season. From a high-profile coaching change to get Mike McCarthy, to locking up Amari Cooper, it has been a solid few months since the season ended in disappointment.

They also made a pair of solid moves in picking up defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe on the relative cheap.

Heading into the draft, the main needs appeared to be pass rusher and cornerback to replace the departed Robert Quinn and Byron Jones, respectively. But when CeeDee Lamb of Oklahoma slid to their pick, the Cowboys did not hesitate to draft him.

Many scouts had Lamb as the best receiver in a talented position group. He adds another key weapon for Dak Prescott to go with wideouts Cooper and Michael Gallup, and is more than a replacement for the departed Randall Cobb.

Lamb was a home run pick for the Cowboys, who will look to fill the voids on the roster Friday and Saturday in the draft.

Here is what Lance Zierlein wrote about him on NFL.com:

"Explosive, three-level playmaker and vital cog in one of the most potent offensive machines in college football over the last three seasons. Lamb uses speed and separation quickness to dominate competition in a scheme that frequently created open throws in space. His routes will need to become more efficient and crisp to beat man-to-man coverage against NFL size and speed, but his ball skills and explosiveness with the ball in his hand should allow teams to scheme him into explosive opportunities right away. Lamb has the potential to play any of the three receiver positions as a pro and should benefit greatly from the NFL's continued movement toward college-style passing attacks."

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The Houston Astros managed to win the AL West once again, and while things got a little nerve wracking toward the end of the season, when it mattered most, the 'Stros took care of business.

It certainly didn't hurt to get a little help from the Mariners, beating the Rangers 1-0 on Sunday, paving the way for the Astros to secure the division. Rangers fans and members of their broadcast team were none too pleased with the Diamondbacks resting some of their starters on Sunday.

But let's be real, with the division on the line, the Rangers couldn't even manage to score a single run on Sunday against Seattle. That's why they're playing in the Wild Card series, not because of how Arizona approached Sunday's game.

So what did we learn during these must-win games over the last week? A lot was made of GM Dana Brown's comments on the team's flagship station. Brown was hoping manager Dusty Baker would put the best offensive lineup on the field. Yainer Diaz did not start a single game of the Diamondbacks series. But Chas McCormick played every game of the Mariners and Diamondbacks series, except for the finale against Seattle, after being hit in the back with a fastball the night before.

Michael Brantley played in two of three against Arizona, so he appears to be an option Dusty will turn to moving forward. And with the Astros only scoring 1 and 2 runs in two of the three wins against the D-Backs, the Astros need every bit of offense they can get.

Plus, we discuss how getting extra rest for Michael Brantley, Jose Abreu, and the bullpen could pay huge dividends for the club. And don't look now, but Jose Abreu is getting hot at just the right time!

Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion.

And be sure to watch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) every Monday on SportMapHouston's YouTube channel.

Listen to ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM for Houston's best sports talk.


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