Dallas City News

Enthusiasm and expectations are somewhat waning as training camp gets underway in Oxnard, California for the Dallas Cowboys, but that doesn’t mean this year’s team can’t or won’t be any good. In fact, they are still a really talented ballclub and have just as good or better a chance at a Super Bowl berth than most in the league.

To reach the ultimate destination though, the Cowboys have a lot of work to do between now and then and it starts with training camp. There are plenty of interesting storylines to keep track of in both training camp and preseason, and certain players we should all be rooting for. We will take it look at those today.

QB Trey Lance

Potential trade bait, backup QB in 2024, added leverage for Dak Prescott contract negotiations, or potentially his future replacement are just a few of the reasons we should all be rooting for Trey Lance to shine and showcase his talent in training camp and preseason. Dallas gave up a fourth-round pick to acquire his service and would ideally like to get something out of that investment.

LT Tyler Guyton & OC Cooper Beebe

It’s pretty obvious why we should all be rooting for both Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe. The Cowboys need Tyler Guyton to step in and adequately replace Tyron Smith as their new blindside protector at LT and need Cooper Beebe to replace Tyler Biadasz as their new starting center. If these two can hold their own in training camp and preseason, it will definitely give the Cowboys a better chance of having a successful season.

RB Rico Dowdle

Out of all of the RBs currently on the Dallas Cowboys roster, including Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle has the best shot to be the most productive this season. Zeke’s production continues to decline rapidly year after year and Deuce Vaughn’s small stature works against him carrying the work load, leaving Dowdle as probably Dallas’ best RB. If he can stay healthy, his hard nose running style/tenacity is exactly what this offense needs.

WR Jalen Tolbert

The Cowboys need someone to step up behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks to emerge as the WR3 prior to the start of the 2024 season. Jalen Tolbert is the favorite right now to claim that job, but he won’t go unchallenged by a few other receivers currently on the roster and possibly outside free agents as well. He showed flashes he can be that guy, but needs to find consistency in training camp/preseason.

DT Mazi Smith

If there’s one defensive player you really want to root for to have a successful training camp and preseason, it’s Mazi Smith. And not only because he’s a former first-round draft pick. Mike Zimmer’s defensive scheme relies heavily on big-bodied, space-eating defensive tackles and that was Smith’s forte during his time at Michigan. If he struggles or isn’t ready for the starting job, Dallas’ entire defense could be in huge trouble.

DE Marshawn Kneeland

The Cowboys lost both their backup defensive ends in free agency this year when Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong left to follow Dan Quinn to Washington. They need someone to step up behind their starters and are hoping Marshawn Kneeland can do that as a rookie this year. Plus, it would be good for a change to see Dallas hit on another second-round pick after what looks like some recent failures.

LB DeMarvion Overshown

DeMarvion Overshown looked like a heat-seeking missile in training camp and preseason last year prior to his season-ending knee injury. He is looking to pick up where he left off last year. He looks noticeably bigger and stronger, and there’s a lot of hype already that he’s a favorite to earn a starting job. Root for him to not only be 100% healthy, but to look like the starting-caliber LB everyone expects him to be.

CB Caelen Carson

The Dallas Cowboys really need a potential starting-caliber player on the depth chart behind their starting trio of Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis. Caelen Carson’s inside/out versatility makes him the best candidate, but he has to prove he’s capable of handling the job by the way he plays in training camp and preseason. If he’s not ready or struggles, the Cowboys may need to look for more outside CB help.