Introduction
Ryan Flournoy has become one of the more talked-about young receivers in the Dallas Cowboys offense. From an under-the-radar college path across multiple schools to blazing through the combine with NFL-ready athleticism, Flournoy’s story is a testament to grit, speed, and development. In this article, we break down everything you need to know — from college stats and NFL performance to 40-yard dash time, rookie card implications, and fantasy football value.
Early Life & College Journey
Background
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Born on October 27, 1999, in Hazel Crest, Illinois.
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Attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Illinois.
College Career: The Long Road to NFL Draft
Flournoy’s path to the NFL wasn’t a straight line; he moved through several programs before earning attention.
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2018–2020 — Central Missouri Mules
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Redshirted in 2018.
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In his second season (2019), after recovering from injury, he managed 17 receptions for 170 yards despite dealing with a partially torn ACL.
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The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.
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2021 — Iowa Western Reivers (Community College)
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Transferred to Iowa Western Community College, becoming the team’s top receiver. He posted 32 receptions for 545 yards and 5 touchdowns.
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Played in the NJCAA national championship game, scoring both of the team’s touchdowns in the loss.
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2022–2023 — Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (FCS)
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In 2022, he arrived with one Division I offer. He was named team captain and became a focal point of the offense. That season, he recorded 61 catches for 984 yards and 7 touchdowns, leading the team in key receiving categories and earning First-Team All-Conference honors.
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In 2023, despite missing some time (broken hand), Flournoy still delivered 57 catches for 839 yards and 6 touchdowns, and again earned First-Team All-Conference honors.
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This winding path — from redshirt, to community college, to FCS breakout — shows how resilience and performance at each step helped Flournoy earn an NFL opportunity.
Combine & Measurables — 40-Yard Dash, Size, Athleticism
A critical turning point for Flournoy was his performance at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, where scouts took serious notice of his athletic traits.
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40-yard dash: Official time of 4.44 seconds — a very solid result that showcased his speed at the wide receiver position.
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Size: Listed at 6′1″ and ~200 lb (some sources 6′0¾″ and 202 lb), giving him enough size to compete physically at the pro level.
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Explosiveness: Metrics such as vertical jump, broad jump, and burst suggested he’s an athletic specimen — traits that translate to deep-threat potential and separation ability in pro offenses.
Analysts described Flournoy as a “physical player with the tangibles that scream upside” and noted his ability to be a vertical threat and mismatch in jump-ball scenarios.
That blend of size, speed, and athleticism was likely a big factor that got him drafted — despite coming from an FCS school.
NFL Career & Stats
Flournoy was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 6th round, 216th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft.
2024 — Rookie Season
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Played in 11 games.
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Recorded 10 receptions for 102 yards.
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Did not score a touchdown in his rookie year.
2025 Season (so far) & Career Totals
As of the 2025 season (through 11th–12th week), Flournoy has shown signs of growth and potential:
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2025 (so far): 17 receptions for 200+ yards and 2 touchdowns.
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Career (through 2025): ≈ 27 receptions, 302–336 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns (depending on source and whether totals include latest games).
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Additional rushing yards: In 2025, he also had a few carries, totaling 25 rushing yards.
His 2025 breakout game came in Week 5 vs. the New York Jets, when he caught six passes for 114 yards, the best game of his career so far — more receiving yards in one game than he had in his entire 2024 rookie season.
Despite being a lower-round pick, Flournoy is showing flashes of potential to develop into a deeper part of the Cowboys’ WR rotation.
Rookie Card & Collectible Value
Because Flournoy is a recent draftee (2024) and early in his career, discussion around a “rookie card” is still emerging. A few key points to consider:
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As a 6th-round pick from an FCS school, his rookie card value will initially be modest — but could rise if he continues to produce or has breakout seasons.
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Collectors who target “sleeper” or “upside” players might view Flournoy as a speculative buy, especially if his on-field production and opportunities increase.
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Historically, late-round WRs with solid athletic traits and eventual production can see big swings in value — making Flournoy potentially interesting long-term.
At this stage, his rookie card is more of a long-term investment play rather than a guaranteed value hit.
Fantasy Football Outlook
For fantasy football managers — especially in deeper leagues — Flournoy represents a speculative upside. Here’s how things shake out:
Pros
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Athletic profile — size + speed + explosiveness — gives him deep-threat upside and big-play potential.
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The Week 5, 2025 “breakout” game (6 catches, 114 yards) hints at what he could do when given opportunity.
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In a pass-heavy offense like the Cowboys’, injury or rotation changes could give him more targets.
Cons / Risks
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He’s still behind established WRs on the depth chart (limiting week-to-week floor).
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His route technique and ability against press coverage have drawn questions; his route tree is considered “somewhat raw.”
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His fantasy value is volatile and probably depends on injuries or favorable matchups — more of a “boom/bust” or deep-league flier than a reliable starter.
Verdict: Flournoy is a late-round sleeper/deep-league pick: worth stashing in dynasty or deep-roster formats, but unlikely to be a consistent WR2 in standard leagues — at least until opportunity and usage increase.
Why His 40-Yard Dash Matters
A 4.44 s 40-yard dash is a meaningful indicator of Flournoy’s potential at the pro level. That speed — combined with his size — gives him:
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The ability to threaten defenses deep, stretching the field vertically.
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A chance to create mismatches, particularly in jump-ball or contested-catch situations.
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The athletic baseline many teams look for in developing a WR with upside, even if route-running and experience are still improving.
In other words: the 40 time confirms he has raw athletic tools that, if refined, could lead to solid pro production.
What to Watch Going Forward
Here are the key factors that will shape Ryan Flournoy’s trajectory in the NFL (and in fantasy/collectible value):
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Opportunity & Playing Time: Injuries or roster shake-ups could lead to increased targets.
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Route Development & Technique: Improvement in release, separation, and consistency will be critical.
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Health & Durability: Given his previous injury history in college, staying healthy matters.
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Consistency: Delivering more games like his Week 5 2025 performance will drive both on-field value and off-field interest.
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Team Context: As the Cowboys’ WR room evolves, his role could shrink or grow — depending on roster changes and quarterback play. Ryan Flournoy.
FAQs
Q: What college did Ryan Flournoy attend before the NFL?
A: He played college football at multiple schools: started at Central Missouri Mules, transferred to Iowa Western Community College, and finished at Southeast Missouri State Redhawks.
Q: How fast is Ryan Flournoy in the 40-yard dash?
A: At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Flournoy ran an official 4.44-second 40-yard dash.
Q: How many receptions/yards does Flournoy have in his NFL career so far?
A: Through the 2025 season, he has around 27 receptions for roughly 302–336 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns (stats vary slightly by source).
Q: Is Ryan Flournoy valuable in fantasy football?
A: He’s best viewed as a deep-league flier or sleeper. He has big-play potential but lacks consistent volume or a stable role — making him risky for standard leagues, but worth a stash in dynasty or deep formats.
Q: Is investing in Ryan Flournoy’s rookie card a good idea?
A: Possibly — but as of now, it’s more speculative. If he establishes himself and delivers more consistent production, his rookie card’s value could grow. For now, it’s a long-term gamble rather than a sure thing. Ryan Flournoy.
Conclusion
Ryan Flournoy’s journey — from junior college to FCS standout to NFL roster — underlines the unpredictable path many players take to reach the pro level. With a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, solid size, and flashes of production, Flournoy has the physical tools NFL teams covet.
That said, his route technique is still developing and his target share is uncertain. For fantasy players and collectors, he represents upside — but also risk. Whether he fulfills his potential will come down to opportunity, health, and consistency. Keep an eye on him: if he breaks out, the payoff could be significant.
