Dallas Cowboys begin OTA workouts with QB Dak Prescott as a full participant
The Dallas Cowboys hit the field this week for the beginning of their voluntary offseason team activities (OTAs) period that will carry into the beginning of June.
Nine practice sessions will allow the team to get a head start with the on-field transition period for new head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
The media viewing began on Tuesday when many new faces debuted in front of cameras and reporters for the first time, including wide receiver George Pickens, who was acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this month. While he had just two receptions on two targets, Pickens seemed to have already made friends with fellow wide receiver KaVontae Turpin as he followed him into the end zone on a touchdown throw from Dak Prescott.
Speaking of Prescott, let’s start with QB1.
Dak Prescott a full participant in OTAs
While Prescott has been throwing and running for a few weeks, it was expected that he would be limited in OTAs as the Cowboys slowly worked him back into the fold. However, on Tuesday, he took on a big workload while displaying some athleticism and some arm talent.
“Pretty much can do it all,” Prescott said. “Feel good. I think I’m just not cleared for contact, which we’ve got a while for that anyways. I’m out there in the team activities, feel good, just trying to stay that way.”
Prescott connected with multiple pass-catchers throughout the day, including a handful of connections with tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford. The second-year undrafted tight end out of Minnesota earned a roster spot last season and kept it throughout the year. Heading into year two, he looks to be adding some receiving knacks to his game with the help of Prescott.
Even though his longest-tenured status on the team has earned him the nickname “Unc” in the quarterback room, Prescott is embracing his new status as the elder statesman in the OTA period.
“It’s amazing how fast it happens,” he said. “Not taking anything for granted...It just makes you that more humble, that much more hungry and blessed, blessed to be here, blessed to be doing what I’m doing, walking through these doors every day, playing the game that I love.”
Micah Parsons a no-show on Tuesday
While Parsons awaits a new contract extension with the team, he has been “in and out” of the building this week for voluntary meetings and workouts, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“He showed up a little bit the last couple days,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s been in and out some. I don’t know if he’s here yet. Had a great lunch with him yesterday. But again, when he’s here, he’s been great. And again, it’s all voluntary. So guys are in and out, some guys come to meetings, some guys come to practice, some guys are just here getting treatment and things like that. And that’s not just specific to Micah, it’s specific to all the guys.”
Parsons has not appeared for voluntary offseason workouts since 2022, as he’s instead opted for his own individual training. His mere presence in the building, while sporadic, has been appreciated by his new head coach.
“We’ve spoken very openly about trying to create one of the greatest cultures in professional sports,” Schottenheimer said. “Micah is going to be a leader for us. Micah wants to be a leader for us, he’s going to do that. I felt like it was really important for him to be here and to begin that process. Again, it’s a voluntary camp. The fact that he did that means a lot to me.”
Secondary playing musical chairs early on
While injuries to cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel Jr. have the health of the secondary skating on thin ice, the defensive staff led by defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus threw an array of options at the nickel cornerback spot on Tuesday.
Whether it was Juanyeh Thomas playing safety and nickel corner, DaRon Bland playing on the outside and inside or Israel Mukuamu playing around the secondary, the Cowboys are looking for a reliable option to man the nickel spot going deeper into the offseason.
As a potential point of confidence, the urgency to get Diggs and Revel back sooner rather than later could be alleviated with solid play from Kaiir Elam, who was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills this offseason. On Tuesday, Elam had multiple pass breakups and didn’t allow any receptions downfield. Consistency from the former Florida product would be a huge plus to a secondary that simply can’t afford to lose any more bodies.
Joe Milton still a work in progress
While the second-team units were on the field, the linebacker group stole the show with interceptions on back-to-back plays. With Joe Milton III at quarterback, Buddy Johnson swiped away a tipped pass for a takeaway one play before 2025 fifth-round pick Shemar James stepped into a Milton passing lane and picked off another pass in the short-to-intermediate range.
Milton had an up-and-down day with little-to-no consistency with his accuracy, but the physical traits were on display as well as his ability to escape. In the early weeks of his tenure as a Cowboy after being acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots over the offseason, Milton has drawn rave reviews for how he’s attacked his due dilegence off the field.
“From the time he’s been here, the work ethic is incredible,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s one of the first people in the building, he’s one of the last to leave. The way he’s attacked the playbook and picked it up has been incredible. The talent speaks for itself. He’s just an exciting young prospect that I think the sky’s the limit for.”
Tyler Booker rolls out with the first-team
While 2025 first-round pick Tyler Booker will have to battle it out at training camp to officially earn a star on his currently dull gray helmet, the Alabama product rolled out with the first-team at right guard to start OTAs on Tuesday.
While other first-round picks such as Tyler Guyton and Tyler Smith were worked in more slowly, Booker has earned confidence early on to step onto the field as a starter before he even begins his rookie training camp.
“Whether it’s the responsibilities that he has to bring to the huddle, or whether it’s his communications on the line, he’s doing a hell of a job,” Prescott said. “And you can tell this guy is a football player. Guy has a lot of pride in what he does, and excited for him to just continue.”
