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FRISCO – The\u00a0Dallas Cowboys\u00a0wrapped up mandatory minicamp with a palpable energy flowing through the walls of The Star. That “juice” starts with one of Dallas’ first additions this offseason in head coach hire Brian Schottenheimer.<\/p>\n
In the\u00a0NFL Draft\u00a0and free agency, Schottenheimer’s influence was felt when Dallas filled out the roster with players who have a strong leadership reputation and still helped in key areas on the roster.<\/p>\n
Schotty has pushed a competitive and relationship-driven program this offseason that all players and coaches seem completely invested in.<\/p>\n
There has been a lot to take away from this high-intensity OTA and minicamp period on the field, so here is a rundown of what the\u00a0Cowboys’ depth chart looks like to kick off the 40-ish-day vacation before training camp in Oxnard.<\/p>\n
Quarterback<\/strong><\/p>\n Dak Prescott<\/p>\n Joe Milton<\/p>\n Will Grier<\/p>\n We believe the first major shake up on the pecking order was the most important position on the field. Milton has wow’ed the media and coaches all offseason long, and his place as Dak Prescott’s backup seems firm with the increasing amount of reps he’s earned in workouts.<\/p>\n Running Back<\/strong><\/p>\n Javonte Williams<\/p>\n Miles Sanders<\/p>\n Jaydon Blue<\/p>\n Phil Mafah<\/p>\n Deuce Vaughn<\/p>\n Hunter Luepke<\/p>\n The competition for who will earn the starting running back position remains the hottest topic heading into training camp. The Cowboys have raved about all of the new faces so far, but we don’t expect a clear starter to be named until after camp at the earliest. For now, the experienced free agent pieces Williams and Sanders get the top spots, with speedy rookie Blue close behind. (Luekpe is in good shape as a do-it-all fullback.)<\/p>\n Wide Receiver<\/strong><\/p>\n CeeDee Lamb<\/p>\n George Pickens<\/p>\n Jalen Tolbert<\/p>\n Johnathan Mingo<\/p>\n KaVontae Turpin<\/p>\n Jalen Brooks<\/p>\n Ryan Flournoy<\/p>\n Parris Campbell<\/p>\n Traeshon Holden<\/p>\n Call them first and second option, 1A and 1B, or the “Goodfellas” … Dallas’ move to pair All-Pro Lamb with an explosive budding star in Pickens is the move of the offseason.<\/p>\n Now the controversy turns to who will be WR3. Tolbert has enough experience to fill the role nicely, but the Cowboys will likely give Mingo as many chances as possible to earn the spot. Him performing well would make the team feel like his questionable mid-season trade was worthwhile – something we believe could be in Jerry Jones’ mind. Turpin is another WR3-level contributor, but may be used most in creative spots and not receive enough regular targets as a traditional receiver.<\/p>\n Tight End<\/strong><\/p>\n Jake Ferguson<\/p>\n Brevyn Spann-Ford<\/p>\n Luke Schoonmaker<\/p>\n John Stephens Jr.<\/p>\n Tyler Neville<\/p>\n Princeton Fant<\/p>\n “BSF” may be the strongest threat of all to leapfrog to the top of a position group more than he already has. Reports of him\u00a0“stealing snaps”\u00a0during an incredible offseason this year tells you all you need to know – the Cowboys are experimenting with him in the starting lineup.<\/p>\n Ferguson is still the clear starter as the more polished pass-catcher, but don’t be surprised if Spann-Ford continues his momentum into training camp and Dallas finds a way to get him more snaps this regular season.<\/p>\n Offensive Line<\/strong><\/p>\n LT: Tyler Guyton<\/p>\n LG: Tyler Smith<\/p>\n C: Cooper Beebe<\/p>\n RG: Tyler Booker<\/p>\n RT: Terence Steele<\/p>\n Reserves<\/strong>: (Tackle) Asim Richards, Matt Waletzo, Nathan Thomas, Hakeemm Adeniji, Ajani Cornelius. (Guard\/Center) Brock Hoffman, Rob Jones, T.J. Bass, Saahdiq Charles<\/p>\n Anything straying from this starting five would be a major surprise. Guyton has committed himself to rebounding from a shaky rookie season and we expect the Cowboys to ride with him on the left side. Booker is projecting to play well as a rookie, but players like Beebe, Hoffman, and All-Pro Smith are versatile enough to shuffle things around if need be.<\/p>\n Defensive End<\/strong><\/p>\n Micah Parsons<\/p>\n Dante Fowler Jr.<\/p>\n Marshawn Kneeland<\/p>\n Sam Williams<\/p>\n Donovan Ezeiruaku<\/p>\n Payton Turner<\/p>\n Tyrus Wheat<\/p>\n Parsons and Fowler will form a duo capable of 10+ sacks each, but the depth behind them could see a lot of rotating. Youngsters Kneeland and Williams are still out to prove they belong with the top unit when healthy. Rookie Ezeiruaku also profiles as a swiss-army knife, similar to how Parsons was coming out of college. He could see reps at multiple levels of the defense as defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus examines where he fits best.<\/p>\n Defensive Tackle<\/strong><\/p>\n Osa Odighizuwa<\/p>\n Mazi Smith<\/p>\n Solomon Thomas<\/p>\n Jay Toia<\/p>\n Justin Rogers<\/p>\n Denzel Daxon<\/p>\n The Cowboys’ run defense – arguably last season’s weakest link – is counting on a break through for former first-rounder Mazi Smith. If he continues to struggle adjusting to the\u00a0NFL, there will be a lot of pressure on Thomas and rookie Toia to try to fill gaps next to Osa.<\/p>\n Linebacker<\/strong><\/p>\n Kenneth Murray Jr.<\/p>\n Jack Sanborn<\/p>\n Marist Liufau<\/p>\n Damone Clark<\/p>\n Buddy Johnson<\/p>\n Shemar James<\/p>\n (injured) DeMarvion Overshown<\/p>\n Dallas was on a mission to find a starting linebacker, or two, this offseason with Overshown out for a while. The two veteran free agents in Murray and Sanborn are predicted to see the most action, despite Liufau being the best returning Cowboy after a solid rookie campaign.<\/p>\n This position may also see quite a bit of shuffling until Overshown, an obvious starter, returns from another ACL tear.<\/p>\n Cornerbacks<\/strong><\/p>\n DaRon Bland<\/p>\n Kaiir Elam<\/p>\n Caelen Carson<\/p>\n Andrew Booth<\/p>\n Kemon Hall<\/p>\n Luc Barcoo<\/p>\n Troy Pride Jr.<\/p>\n (injured) Trevon Diggs<\/p>\n (injured) Shavon Revel Jr.<\/p>\n (injured) Josh Butler<\/p>\n Elam had a fantastic spring and has likely earned a starting boundary spot until Diggs returns from his second recent knee surgery. The slot corner position is another heated competition at training camp, with Bland, Carson, and various safeties in the running to move inside.<\/p>\n Safeties<\/strong><\/p>\n Malik Hooker<\/p>\n Donovan Wilson<\/p>\n Israel Mukuamu<\/p>\n Juanyeh Thomas<\/p>\n Markquese Bell<\/p>\n Alijah Clark<\/p>\n Zion Childress<\/p>\n Mukuamu and Thomas could see a good amount of snaps at slot corner with Hooker and Wilson remaining the best duo possible at safety.<\/p>\n Special Teams<\/strong><\/p>\n K: Brandon Aubrey<\/p>\n PR\/KR: KaVontae Turpin<\/p>\n P: Bryan Anger<\/p>\n Just in case your were wondering, this All-Pro unit is undoubtably sticking together to light it up on special teams.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25761,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dallas-cowboys"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Dallas](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/YBLuoqocae7fk82BPPFGc0tNp48=\/0x21:986x678\/1200x800\/filters:focal(0x21:986x678)\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/photo_images\/7082013\/20120523_mje_se2_435.jpg\")
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