The Cowboys select fifth-year option receiver CeeDee Lamb

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys made the easy part by naming their 2024 fifth-year pick over CeeDee Lamb, but they’d like to sign the wide receiver to a long-term extension sometime this season.

The Cowboys made an official decision Thursday about two weeks before they decided, according to a source, to secure Lamb, their first-round pick in 2020, at a salary of $17.99 million in 2024.

As Lamb was selected to the Pro Bowl, his option salary was higher according to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Last season, Lamb established career highs in receptions (107), yards (1,359) and touchdowns (9) in his first year as a key receiver for the Cowboys following the trade of Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns. He has the most receptions in the first three years of his career in team history with 260, with Dez Bryant second at 200. His 10 career 100-yard receiving games trail only Hall of Famer Bob Hayes (13) for the most in team history at The first three years of the profession.

Ultimately, the Cowboys hope the option will be a placeholder for a long-term deal. On numerous occasions in the off-season, executive vice-chairman Stephen Jones has said the club would like to sign Lamb and fullback Trayvon Diggs, their second round picks in 2020, to multi-year deals.

Diggs is set to enter the final year of his contract. With Lamb selected, the Cowboys could use the franchise tag in Diggs next offseason.