Cowboys, Raiders Host WR Zay Flowers

Plenty of draft speculation pertains to how this year’s QB class will shake out, but intrigue also exists at the wide receiver position. One of the wideouts receiving attention in the build-up to the draft is Boston College product Zay Flowers.

The Cowboys and Raiders met with Flowers this week, as noted by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter links). In both instances, the encounters counted towards the team’s top-30 allotments. Interest shown by Dallas and Vegas follows a sit-down Flowers had with the Giants, and it will surely be matched by other teams eyeing additions to their pass-catching corps.

Flowers spent the past four seasons with the Eagles, taking on a major role within the team’s offense starting in his second campaign. In each of the last three years, he led Boston College in receiving yards, making the most catches on the team in 2021 and 2022. In the latter campaign, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time, adding new career highs in catches (78) and touchdowns (12).

Size has been raised as a potential concern for the 5-10, 177-pounder. Even in the event he is able to add to his frame in advance of adapting to the pro game, he is likely to operate primarily in the slot at the NFL level. Flowers flashed potential as a punt returner this past season, though, and should be able to carve out a notable role for himself as a rookie given his elusiveness and vertical speed.

The Cowboys’ receiver group looked significantly different in 2022 after they traded away Amari Cooper, a move which has led to a reaction this offseason. Dallas traded for Brandin Cooks to give them a veteran presence on the outside, but further additions could easily come at the draft. Currently set to pick 26th, Flowers could fall within range for the Cowboys (who have also done their homework on Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt) toward the back of round one.

The situation is different on Day 1 for the Raiders, who own pick No. 7. A quarterback could be in play at that spot for Vegas, or if not, a host of more highly-touted prospects will likely be considered. The Raiders have added Jakobi Meyers with one of the most lucrative deals of free agency amongst receivers, but they also lost a dependable producer by trading away Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller. Even though slot man Hunter Renfrow remains under contract for two more years, Vegas could thus be well-served to target an impact pass-catcher in the draft. Their second-round selection (38th overall) would represent solid value if Flowers waits that long to hear his name called.