Dallas Cowboys OTA observations: 7 things that stood out at practice
The offseason program is in full swing for the Dallas Cowboys, as they began their organized team activities — otherwise known as OTAs — this week in Frisco.
On Thursday, the media was on hand to take in the entire 80-minute practice at The Star. After stretching and warming up, they broke out into their position groups for roughly an hour of drills. Afterward, the team worked 7-on-7 in the red zone for about 25 minutes before wrapping up with roughly 10 minutes of full-field 7-on-7. The linemen on both sides of the ball continued to do position work.
Without a full team period, it was tough to pull a full evaluation from the practice session, but there were still some key takeaways:
Room for everyone at cornerback
Outside cornerback remains one of the question marks going into the offseason as to who will start, and the Cowboys appear to be giving just about everybody a shot.
With DaRon Bland rehabbing from foot surgery, the work was spread around to Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel Jr. and Caelen Carson. Rookie first-round pick Caleb Downs worked in the slot along with Durant. Free agent addition Derion Kendrick, second-year player Trikweze Bridges and rookie fourth-round pick Devin Moore primarily worked with the second team.
Backup running back: Phil Mafah, Jaydon Blue stand out
The backup running back position remains a competition. Phil Mafah looked good with his first-team reps, grabbing a touchdown in red zone work, as did Jaydon Blue. Mafah has specifically drawn a lot of praise for his work this offseason, with one source saying he is “night-and-day” different from last year.
Blue has also been praised, with another source saying he’s more “locked in” right now on the details than he ever was in his rookie season. Undrafted free agent signing Dominic Richardson is further down the depth chart, but he was also mentioned for his grit and toughness.
DeMarvion Overshown has excused absence
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was the only player on defense not at practice, as he was excused on Thursday to prepare for his wedding Saturday in Tyler. He is expected back next week. Dee Winters and Shemar James were the linebackers working with the first-team with Overshown out, while Curtis Robinson and Justin Barron were with the second-team.
Receiver makes mark with George Pickens away
It might just be because wide receiver George Pickens isn’t in attendance for OTAs, but recent free agent signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling picked up a lot of work with the first team Thursday. He was targeted by Dak Prescott a handful of times, and even bailed out his new quarterback on a throw that went behind him that he had to swat down to prevent P.J. Locke from intercepting it. He’s a big outside body who certainly stands out wearing the No. 11 jersey that still feels like Micah Parsons’ number sometimes.
Ryan Flournoy works in the slot
Staying at the wide receiver position, Ryan Flournoy got quite a bit of work in the slot. It’s more likely that it’s a wrinkle that head coach Brian Schottenheimer is trying to add to the passing game rather than a sign of some sort of permanent move, but it still shows the staff’s trust in what Flournoy can develop into heading into his third season. After a breakout campaign in 2025, Flournoy should be tasked with more this season.
Backup QB battle
Schottenheimer has been open about a battle for the backup quarterback job. And while there isn’t a lot of stock that should be put into where that battle stands today, it was notable that Joe Milton III received more of the second-team reps on Thursday than Sam Howell did.
How the safeties received their reps
The rehab group working off to the side Thursday included Bland, veteran safety free agent addition Jalen Thompson and second-year outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku. With Thompson out, Locke and Malik Hooker worked as first-team safeties, while Markquese Bell, Zion Childress and Alijah Clark rotated in with the second team.
