Dallas Cowboys wide receivers expect to open eyes

The Dallas Cowboys feature a potent running game with Ezekiel Elliott and a quarterback in Dak Prescott who can alter a game with both his arm and his legs.

As for the team's wide receivers, they aren't as recognizable since the Cowboys released three-time Pro Bowl selection Dez Bryant last month.

While Bryant led the team with 69 receptions in 2017, members of the current crop of Dallas wide receivers feel they can more than pick up the slack this season.

"I'm excited to be in a group of guys who are hungry and want to prove the world wrong," free-agent signee Deonte Thompson said, via the Dallas Morning News. "I don't really have too much social media stuff, so I barely hear it, but we know what they say. But we'll be having this discussion in November, and it will be totally different."

Thompson split last season with the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills, recording career highs in receptions (38) and receiving yards (555) while his two touchdowns matched a personal-best total.

The 29-year-old Thompson and fellow offseason acquisitions Allen Hurns and Tavon Austin joined Cole Beasley, Noah Brown and third-round rookie Michael Gallup at organized team activities this week. Fellow wideout Terrance Williams did not take part after being arrested over the weekend while also continuing his recovery from offseason foot surgery.

"Of course I feel I can be the No. 1 receiver, I feel I can play any of the three positions. I can run any routes," said Hurns, who has been limited to 74 catches while playing 21 games over the last two seasons.

"One thing I know, our room, we have a lot of guys who have a lot to prove. I like being in a room like that.

"You got [Beasley], not coming off his best year. T-Will, same thing. Tavon was hurt a lot of last year. Noah, going into his second year. Deonte Thompson, a lot of young guys. We all got something to prove. Each and every day we're going to go out there and push each other."