CeeDee Lamb drop rate: How Cowboys star earned dubious reputation for failing to catch passes

David Suggs

CeeDee Lamb drop rate: How Cowboys star earned dubious reputation for failing to catch passes image

CeeDee Lamb is undoubtedly one of the NFL's best pass-catchers, but that doesn't mean he's infallible.

The Cowboys standout has enjoyed an uneven start to the 2025 season. On one hand, he's been one of Dallas' steadiest performers, ripping Dak Prescott's efforts out of the sky to the tune of back-to-back 100-yard outings.

But his game has also been marked by a handful of uncharacteristic drops, many of which came during the fourth quarter of the Cowboys' Week 1 defeat to the Eagles.

Lamb has tended to be as sure-handed as they come since making his NFL debut in 2020. So, what's the deal with his recent spate of dropped passes? Do the numbers underneath the hood reflect the sentiment that lies atop newspaper columns and message boards across the country?

MORE: Why the Cowboys signed former No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney

Here's what you need to know.

CeeDee Lamb drop rate

Lamb's drop rate has ballooned in 2025, sitting at a harrowing 12.5 percent after two games. That's nearly three times as high as his drop rate in 2024 and more than five percent higher than his career-high drop rate (7.2% as a rookie in 2020).

Lamb's mark is bound to dwindle as the year goes on and he fields more targets and catches. Nevertheless, here's how it compares to other pass-catchers earning at least $30 million in average annual value.

PlayerTeamAAVCatchesYardsDropsDrop Rate
Ja'Marr ChaseBengals$40.25 million1619100.0%
Justin JeffersonVikings$35 million712517.0%
CeeDee LambCowboys$34 million16222312.5%
D.K. MetcalfSteelers$33 million7103215.4%
Garrett WilsonJets$32.5 million1114515.9%
Terry McLaurinCommanders$32.33 million77500.0%
A.J. BrownEagles$32 million63500.0%
Amon-Ra St. BrownLions$30.002 million1316015.9%
Tyreek HillDolphins$30 million1014900.0%

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How many passes as CeeDee Lamb dropped?

According to Stathead, Lamb has seen three passes slip through his grasp in 2025. That' tied for the highest mark in the league with Jaguars wideout Calvin Ridley. His 12.5% drop rate is the 17th-highest mark among pass-catchers and sixth-highest rate among wide receivers.

CeeDee Lamb stats

While Lamb's efficiency might have slipped ever so slightly, he remains a fearsome challenge for opposing defenders. He eclipsed 100 yards in each of his first two games this season and ranks third in the league in receiving yardage thus far.

WeekOpponentResultTargetsReceptionsRec. yardsAVGTDs
2GiantsW, 40-3711911212.40
1EaglesL, 24-2013711015.70
Totals: 1-1241622213.90

Here's a look at Lamb's numbers over the course of his glistening career.

MORE: What to know about the Eagles' offer to acquire Micah Parsons

YearGamesTargetsReceptionsRec. yardsAVGRec. TDsRush yardsRush TDs
2020161117493512.65821
202116120791,10213.96760
2022171561071,35912.79470
2023171811351,74913.0121132
2024151521011,19411.86700
20252241622213.9000
Totals:837445126,56112,8383883

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David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.