Which position on the Cowboys roster concerns you the most?
For the Dallas Cowboys, nobody is challenging Dak Prescott for his starting spot anytime soon. And guys like CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Tyler Smith, Micah Parsons, and quite a few others on the team will work hard in camp, but will not be competing for their starting spot.
But there are starting jobs on the team where a starter – while currently penciled in on the depth chart – may not have a very firm grip on his starting spot. Most of those contested spots can be found on defense, where there are quite a few spots that should see some heavy competition in training camp.
Listed below are five of the potentially most tightly contested starting spots as the Cowboys head into training camp.
Running back: Javonte Williams (over Jaydon Blue and Miles Sanders). Our own Dan Rogers just argued that a “three-headed monster might be the key to the Cowboys rushing attack,” but does that increase or decrease your concern about the position?
Linebacker (both spots): OTAs saw Jack Sanborn (free agent) and Kenneth Murray (trade) emerge as the co-leaders for the two spots. Sanborn looks like the favorite for the middle linebacker spot, with Murray reportedly in the running for the weakside linebacker spot and already getting the “green dot” designation to make the defensive calls. Beyond those two, there’s Marist Liufau, rookie Shemar James and an injured DeMarvion Overshown who may or may not be ready by the middle of the season. Do you feel inspired?
The other cornerback spot: DaRon Bland has one of the corner spots locked down (or maybe even slot, which we will get to), but who’ll play the other cornerback spot? Trade acquisition Kaiir Elam looks like the current favorite as the Cowboy wait to see what they have in injured rookie Shavon Revel and wait to see whether Trevon Diggs will ever get healthy again. Beyond those three, there’s Caelen Carson, Josh Butler (who is also recovering from injury), and Andrew Booth. Beggars can’t be choosers, but how confident are you in any of these players?
Slot cornerback: Why on earth did the Cowboys let Jourdan Lewis leave for Jacksonville? His $30 million, three-year contract would have been affordable for the Cowboys. Instead they have safety Isreal Mukuamu, and two journeymen in Kemon Hall and Troy Pride competing for the spot. The situation is so bad, the team has started using DaRon Bland in the slot, opening up a can of worms at both outside corner spots. Cap space is great, but it can’t stop passes down the middle.
Nose tackle: There’s Mazi Smith, and then there’s nothing. Some uber-optimistic Cowboys fans think rookie seventh-round pick Jay Toia might emerge as a starter, but it’s more likely that a late veteran signing for the vet minimum could beat out both Smith and Toia for the starting job. Of course, you can always hope for Smith’s year-three breakout, and yes, hope is not a strategy. But.
Let us know in the comments and in the attached poll which starting spots you are most worried about.
