The opening week of training camp has given Dallas Cowboys fans plenty to be excited about. Dak Prescott has looked sharp, George Pickens has made an immediate impact, and several young players have begun building momentum in Oxnard.
At the same time, it’s important not to overreact to practices that have largely been conducted without pads. Some of the roster’s biggest position battles are still unfolding, and several key areas won’t receive a true evaluation until the intensity increases.
As Dallas
prepares for the next phase of camp, these are the five biggest questions that remain unanswered.
Is the linebacker room good enough?
The linebacker position remains the Cowboys’ biggest unknown coming out of the opening stretch of training camp. DeMarvion Overshown has been one of the leaders of the defense, looking fully recovered from last season’s injuries. Marist Liufau, rookie Jaishawn Barham, and Shemar James have all produced encouraging moments, but flashes in practice aren’t enough to prove this group can consistently hold up against the run or withstand the demands of a full NFL season. The coaching staff has also continued rotating communication duties among several linebackers, a sign the competition is still very much alive.
Can Shavon Revel recover from last season’s performance?
Shavon Revel has shown why the Cowboys are excited about his long-term potential, but his first week in Oxnard has also highlighted that there is still development ahead. The rookie has flashed his physical tools, length, and competitiveness in coverage, yet he has also experienced the growing pains that come with matching up against one of the NFL’s best contested-catch receivers.
George Pickens has won several of their one-on-one battles, using his elite ball skills and ability to make plays through contact to get the better of Revel on multiple occasions. Rather than being a negative, those reps are exactly the type of challenge Dallas wants for its young corner. Going against a receiver of Pickens’ caliber every practice should accelerate Revel’s development, exposing areas of his game that need refinement while giving him invaluable experience against a polished route runner. How far that development comes, however, is still an unanswered question.
Is the offensive line ready?
The offensive line has been one of the biggest positives through the opening practices, but it’s still difficult to know exactly where the unit stands until the pads come on. Dak Prescott has enjoyed plenty of time to work through his reads, and the offense has operated with very few obvious breakdowns in pass protection. That’s certainly encouraging, but it’s also worth remembering that defensive linemen aren’t yet able to finish plays as they would in a game.
Terence Steele has put together a solid start after facing plenty of scrutiny over the past year. The coaching staff has also been pleased with the progress of rookie Drew Shelton, who has taken advantage of valuable reps to strengthen his case as the team’s primary swing tackle.
The real evaluation begins once live contact is introduced. That’s when Tyler Guyton will have to consistently anchor against edge rushers and Steele will be tested by speed and power off the edge.
Will the pass rush be dominant enough?
The defensive line has produced its fair share of highlight moments during the opening practices, but there are still legitimate questions about whether this group can consistently affect games once the physicality ramps up. Rashan Gary has looked every bit like the disruptive veteran Dallas hoped for, using his explosiveness to win around the edge and even forcing a turnover early in camp. Donovan Ezeiruaku has continued to impress with his relentless motor and ability to bend around offensive tackles, but his biggest challenge will come when he has to set the edge against the run and consistently convert pressure into finishes against NFL-caliber blockers.
It’s also worth remembering that early training camp naturally benefits the offense. Quarterbacks wear non-contact jerseys, pass rushers have to ease off once they reach the pocket, and offensive linemen aren’t firing off the ball with the same aggression they’ll use in padded practices.
Until the defensive front can finish plays, win through contact, and consistently generate pressure against an offensive line that’s allowed to fully engage, it’s difficult to know whether this unit is ready to become one of the league’s more dominant fronts. The first padded practice will provide the clearest indication yet of whether Dallas has the ability to control games in the trenches.
