The darkish interval is lastly over. In the end, the 2026 Dallas Cowboys coaching camp is lastly right here. Gamers have reported to Oxnard, and Dallas will kick off camp with their first apply on Wednesday afternoon.
Earlier than the craziness of coaching camp will get in full swing, we requested a number of of our writers to reply some questions on what’s to return in Oxnard. Tell us your solutions to every query within the feedback part!
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1) The Cowboys participant underneath probably the most strain to carry out at coaching camp is?
A lot hinges on that left deal with spot that Tyler Guyton is definitely underneath probably the most strain to carry out. We’re listening to that he’s had a terrific offseason, but when that doesn’t translate onto the apply area, the Cowboys might have to drag the nuclear choice and transfer Tyler Smith exterior.
DeMarvion Overshown faces immense strain as he enters the season absolutely wholesome with green-dot defensive tasks. He should lead a closely unproven group of linebacking castmates with virtually zero room for error. The workforce expects him to anchor a complete defensive revolution on the place regardless of these difficult circumstances.
It needs to be Tyler Guyton, proper? 12 months 3, former first-rounder, crucial place, already referred to as out as being in competitors with Nate Thomas, and Drew Shelton now ready within the wings. If he struggles, there might be fast response and even panic.
My reply is DeMarvion Overshown. Because the anticipated beginning MIKE LB, he actually must show he can keep wholesome, particularly contemplating the unproven depth behind him. He actually must show he will be an on a regular basis starter to earn a contract extension from Dallas or another person.
I’ll break the tie right here and go together with Tyler Guyton. The previous first-round choose actually faces a make-or-break season this 12 months. If the Cowboys wish to be a legit Tremendous Bowl contender, they completely want Guyton to be a minimum of a league-average beginning left deal with. We’ll discover out if that looks like an actual risk right here in Oxnard.
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2) An underrated place battle to look at throughout coaching camp is?
I don’t know that it’s essentially an underrated place, however the battle for the 2 exterior nook beginning jobs could be the most attention-grabbing in camp. You might have Daron Bland, Shavon Revel, Cobie Durant, and presumably Caelon Carson, competing for 2 spots, as a result of the nickel nook is already taken by Caleb Downs.
The surface linebacker spot represents an enormous thriller and one thing to look at intently. The Cowboys possess a number of intriguing younger choices on the place, making the ultimate depth chart anybody’s guess. You need to particularly be careful for Sam “I Slam” Williams to quietly sneak up the pecking order.
The Cowboys Nation hype machine makes it onerous for something to go “underrated,” however one I discover attention-grabbing is the underside of the protection depth chart. We all know Downs, Thompson, and Locke are making it. Hooker and Bell have expertise, however a man like Alijah Clark might threaten them due to particular groups. If Dallas solely retains 4 safeties, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Hooker and Bell swept away by the scheme and regime change.
With so many to select from, I’m going to go together with QB2 as probably the most underrated place battle. Joe Milton has probably the most upside, however Sam Howell has beginning expertise and has confirmed he can win video games within the league. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see which QB Dallas prefers as this 12 months’s backup.
There are many choices, however the backup quarterback battle might be one thing that many people might be monitoring very intently all through camp. With Dak Prescott’s every-other-year damage historical past, whoever wins the job between Joe Milton and Sam Howell might very nicely be compelled to play significant snaps throughout the common season.
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 14: Minnesota Vikings broad receiver Jalen Nailor (1) catches a move for a primary down over Dallas Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. (34) throughout the sport between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings on December 14, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photograph by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs) Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs
3) What place group might be Dallas’ greatest weak spot popping out of camp?
I don’t see how the Cowboys can go into the season with out including a swing deal with to the roster.
The cornerback place has the potential of being the most important looming weak spot for the roster. Whereas the highest of the depth chart options some stable names, the group lacks dependable total depth. This group might rapidly grow to be an enormous legal responsibility if any of the first starters endure any setbacks.
Accidents will in all probability reply that query greater than something, so TBD. But when everybody’s wholesome, I’m going to say OLB. It’s in all probability too early to count on massive issues from Ezeiruaku or Lawrence, and Gary looks like a stable wingman however not a lead rusher. I feel they are going to have stable depth with Houston and a few mixture of Williams, Snowden, Wheat, and so forth., however I simply don’t know that this pack has an alpha in 2026.
For me, linebacker is Dallas’ weakest place group heading into coaching camp. With Overshown’s damage historical past, I’d love for the Cowboys to signal somebody like Bobby Wagner, a veteran who brings much-needed expertise and may begin from the get-go if wanted.
It’s onerous to foretell well being, however even when everybody stays wholesome, I’ll go together with the linebacker group. Overshown and Winters are a stable duo, however Dallas lacks any depth behind these two on the place. I agree with Brian that bringing in a veteran can be a terrific transfer, however I simply don’t see the Cowboys doing that at this time limit.
