Cowboys to Oxnard 2026: What to watch for at training camp – Cody Warren, Inside the Star
Pay attention to these storylines when the Cowboys open camp.
Cowboys training camp starts July 28th in Oxnard, California, and I’m ready for the guessing and speculation about players and positions to start. We’ve spent the entire offseason thinking about what we think the roster will look like, what players will start, who will break out this season, and what will a Christian Parker defense actually look like. Everything up to this point is just talk until the pads come on. I don’t want everyone
to lose their minds over every practice clip, either. Someone will catch an amazing pass over a practice squad player or camp body and start thinking that player is the second coming of Jerry Rice. Let’s pump the brakes right now. There are bigger storylines to watch. Will DeMarvion Overshown and Shavon Revel Jr. Look Like Themselves at Training Camp?
I haven’t heard anything to make me think these two will not be ready for training camp. Overshown’s game depends on speed, reaction, and playing without hesitation. Will he be thinking about his knee while trying to chase down offensive players? We will know pretty quick. I’ll be watching how quickly he closes, how his change of direction is, and how he responds after getting a few physical practices in.
Shavon Revel Jr. has similar issues, just at a different position. We know a cornerback cannot play scared. I want to see how Revel plants his foot, turns, runs, and if he trusts his body with a receiver coming out of a break. If we see an aggressive Revel in press coverage and fighting with receivers, that will tell me more than a practice report. As a Cowboys fan and watching what this defense went through last season, two great players don’t just need to be available, I want to see them being explosive.
The Running Back Two Job Is Wide Open at Training Camp
Javonte Williams enters training camp as the unrivaled number one back and that was solidified with statements from Will McClay. Even without Will McClay’s comment, I don’t think anyone was going to argue who the lead dog is. The real battle will be behind him. As we all know, and I have heavily talked about in the past, Jaydon Blue has speed on top of speed. This guy has the attributes to be the home run hitter on the ground. Blue’s biggest issue last season was maturity and I think that has been fixed.
Phil Mafah is the opposite of Blue. He’s big, real big, and plays with force and a blatant disregard for defensive players safety and I like it. This could be the guy who helps solve our red zone woes. Malik Davis came on strong at the end of the season and should not be counted out. Yes, he has bounced around on a few teams, but seemed to put it all together at the end of 2025. He’s not great at anything, but seemed to be good at just about everything. Sounds like a RB2. The two other running backs headed into training camp are Israel Abanikanda and rookie Dominic Richardson. Israel is a player the Cowboys liked coming out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2023. He is a speedy back who broke Tony Dorsett’s single-game rushing record while at Pitt.
The best Dallas Cowboys player to wear No. 19 might surprise some people – Luke Norris, The Landry Hat
What do you guys think? Do you agree this is the best player in Cowboys history to wear number 19?
Welcome back to The Landry Hat’s series covering the best Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99. Well, we’ve officially reached the one-fifth mark of our journey, as we’ve come to our 20th entry, and we’ve got a nice little battle here for the No. 19 slot. So, without further ado, let’s take a quick look at everyone who’s donned the digit for America’s Team over the years.
Lance Alworth, WR
Miles Austin, WR
Brice Butler, WR
Amari Cooper, WR
Ryan Flournoy, WR
Noah Igbinoghene, CB
John Jett, P
Keyshawn Johnson, WR
Trey Lance, QB
Clint Longley, QB
Brett Maher, K
Lance Rentzel, WR
Kevin Sweeney, QB
From an overall historical perspective, the most notable name on this list is Lance Alworth, who’s the only player listed above to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But as he made his name with the San Diego Chargers and only played a pair of seasons with the Cowboys, he’s out, although it should be noted that he won a ring in the first of those two campaigns, catching 34 passes for 487 yards with a pair of touchdowns in 1971.
Going back to that same era, Lance Rentzel had a solid four-year run with Dallas from 1967 to 1970, catching 183 passes for 3,521 yards with 31 touchdowns. But he’s on the outside looking in as well. When all was said and done, though, this became a two-man race between players who suited up in this century.
Now, many might go with Amari Cooper in this slot. And he’s certainly got a strong case, as he had a strong three-and-a-half-year run in Big D, catching 292 passes for 3,893 yards with 27 touchdowns and earning a pair of Pro Bowl selections. But our call here is Miles Austin, which might surprise some people. But it might also surprise some to know (or remember) that he also made a pair of Pro Bowls and that his best season was better than any that Cooper had during his entire career. Throw in the fact that he also returned kicks, and his value was just higher.
8 offense vs. defense training camp battles to watch-Mike Poland, Blogging the Boys
As things heat up, keep a close eye on these hotly contested battles.
Training camp is where roster battles are decided, but some of the most interesting work in Oxnard come from players competing on opposite sides of the football. The Cowboys have a strong mix of established stars and young players looking to break out, which should create plenty of entertaining one-on-one matchups.
These battles will not determine starting jobs on their own, but tell us a lot about which players are improving, who may be ready for a bigger role and where Dallas could still have concerns entering the season. Here are eight matchups Cowboys fans should be watching closely throughout training camp this year.
8. Anthony Smith vs. Devin Moore
This rookie-on-rookie matchup could affect the back end of two unsettled position groups. Smith’s size and vertical speed will test Moore’s ability to turn and run, while Moore’s length should challenge Smith to beat press coverage and win contested catches.
7. Drew Shelton vs. L.T. Overton
Two fourth-round rookies will have plenty to prove when the pads come on. Shelton’s athleticism will test Overton’s ability to push the edge, while Overton’s power and versatility should provide an early examination of Shelton’s technique and anchor.
6. Brevyn Spann-Ford vs. Jalen Thompson
Spann-Ford has an opportunity to overtake Luke Schoonmaker and establish himself as the Cowboys’ second tight end. His size will create problems at the catch point, but Thompson’s experience, instincts and physicality should provide a difficult test in both coverage and the running game.
Daily discussion question: What do you believe will 100% happen through the first few practices of camp?
