Who’s winning Dallas Cowboys’ five biggest position battles as camp winds down?
Ahead of the start of Dallas Cowboys training camp in mid-July, the Star-Telegram took a look at the five biggest position battles that would shake out in Southern California during the team’s stay in Oxnard.
Three-and-a-half weeks later, some of those battles have seen some separation, while others remain hotly contested.
Let’s assess where those battles stand with two weeks to go until the team has to cut the roster from 91 players to 53.
Running back
In the first 11 practices of camp, rookie Jaydon Blue steadily picked up more reps with the first-team unit, as his burst and decisiveness began to stand out. But after a heel bruise injury in Thursday’s practice forced him to miss the preseason opener, the door is back open for the rest of the room.
It was slightly surprising to see Javonte Williams get the day off in the preseason opener, as it now seems as though his role in the offense is safe. If that leaves one more featured role, Blue will now face competition from fellow rookie Phil Mafah, veteran Miles Sanders, Deuce Vaughn and the newly signed Malik Davis.
“Javonte is having a hell of a camp,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “I love his professionalism. I love everything that he does. He’s so smart, just having a terrific camp.”
Despite being signed less than 36 hours before kickoff, Davis led the team with 63 rushing yards in the preseason opener on just seven carries with Blue and Sanders out with injury and Williams getting the day off.
If the season started today with everyone healthy, the best guess would be that Williams would start and Blue would get a healthy share of touches with Sanders and Mafah, respectively, behind them.
Cornerback
The health of the cornerback room has been one of the bigger storylines of training camp, as the Cowboys await the return of Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel Jr. from knee injuries. Since both are expected to begin the season on injured reserve, competition has been on full display at camp for a starting job at nickel corner.
On the team’s initial unofficial depth chart, Kemon Hall was listed as the starter ahead of Israel Mukuamu, and both received ample playing time in the preseason opener. Mukuamu’s interception in the game weighs heavy in the position battle, but so does the play from undrafted rookie Zion Childress, who led the team with six tackles.
If the season began today, Hall would likely draw the start, but this battle remains the most undecided one. The final two weeks of the preseason will be huge in determining who lines up in the slot in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tight end
Jake Ferguson’s spot atop the depth chart is safe, and his contract extension earlier in camp just further solidifies his placement. Behind him, though, there is a competition to be had — key words being “to be.”
Brevyn Spann-Ford appeared to be in prime position to unseat Luke Schoonmaker as the team’s second tight end before going down with a high ankle sprain earlier in camp. He still has the potential to win that job, but how he bounces back from injury following his return will be crucial toward his depth chart fate.
In his place, John Stephens Jr. has begun to earn more reps in camp, though he was scratched from the preseason opener in favor of Schoonmaker. Expect to see Stephens suit up this week in the preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at 6 p.m. Saturday at AT&T Stadium.
The further depth in the room has had a strong camp, too, as Rivaldo Fairweather hauled in the team’s only receiving touchdown in the preseason opener, Tyler Neville has been trusted at times with the second team, and Princeton Fant has become a do-it-all type in point-of-attack blocking assignments.
Defensive end
Micah Parsons will man down one side of the line of scrimmage when the season begins — if he does not hold out — but who lines up on the other edge is still to be determined.
With a wealth of talent in the room, competition has been closely contested. Rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku has been one of the top overall performers in camp, Sam Williams has displayed some explosiveness after his ACL injury, Dante Fowler Jr. has been quick and powerful off the edge, and Marshawn Kneeland has shown savvy in the run game.
“I’ve had some good tackles in the past, a couple of good ends,” defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said. “But never this many. It’s been a pleasure working with those guys. They’re a tight group, the camaraderie is great. ... I’m excited for that group.”
Kneeland was the starter on the initial unofficial depth chart and was not asked to play in the preseason opener, but don’t be surprised if there is some shuffling before Week 1 as the group behind him quickly approaches.
Defensive tackle
It’s been a mixed bag of performances for just about every defensive tackle on the roster during training camp, specifically at the 1-technique spot.
The starter from 2024, Mazi Smith, has had his fair share of struggles in both pass rush and the run game, rookie Jay Toia has had his moments in camp but struggled mightily in the preseason opener, and veteran Perrion Winfrey has been pushed back a few times in his own right.
“We’re still in the evaluation process with all of those D-tackles,” Eberflus said. “We’re looking at those guys with a close eye. It’s important that they play the style we cover.”
Surprisingly, it was Winfrey who shined the brightest of the trio of big interior bodies in the preseason opener, but don’t be surprised if the eventual starter on this team is currently on the street or playing elsewhere. The Cowboys will need help at the position to aid in run defense as early as Week 1.
This story was originally published August 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM.
