Cowboys OTA observations: TCU product among defensive standouts on Thursday
The Dallas Cowboys were back on the grass at The Star in Frisco on Tuesday afternoon, as they continue their offseason work in organized team activities (OTAs).
In what was a hot day outside, the team worked individual drills for roughly an hour before about a half-hour each of full 11-on-11 work and 7-on-7 work.
While wide receiver George Pickens remains out of voluntary activities, joining him as non-participants on Tuesday included fellow star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (personal), outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku (personal, hip), cornerback DaRon Bland (foot), defensive back Jalen Thompson (pec strain) and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (groin). Head coach Brian Schottenheimer also announced before practice that backup offensive lineman Matt Hennessy is having neck surgery on Tuesday and is expected to go on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Running back Javonte Williams was also not present during the media’s viewing.
Here were some of the highlights from the practice period on Tuesday.
Strong day for new faces on defense
There are a lot of new faces on defense — 19 to be exact — and a handful of them made big plays on Thursday.
Starting with veteran cornerback Cobie Durant, who Schottenheimer said earlier on Thursday will get work at both inside and outside corner, the South Carolina native jumped a pass from Dak Prescott to make a diving interception on the first play of 7-on-7 work. He also flashed some physicality in coverage throughout the afternoon.
In 11-on-11 work, first-round pick Malachi Lawrence quickly beat left tackle Tyler Guyton off the edge for a would-be sack of Prescott if the pads were on. Trade acquisition Rashan Gary potentially had another in combination with Kenny Clark just a few plays later.
A lot of the hype around the new additions starts with rookie first-round pick Caleb Downs, and rightfully so. Getting a lot of work with the first-team unit, Downs quickly met running back Jaydon Blue in an opening hole for a would-be thud of a tackle that drew some attention from the media spectators.
It was also a strong day for trade acquisition Dee Winters at linebacker. With more responsibilities on his plate than what he was used to in San Francisco with the 49ers, Winters looked comfortable, fresh and fluid on the field. He registered a pass breakup on a Prescott pass intended for tight end Luke Schoonmaker.
Receivers step up in absence of Lamb, Pickens
With Lamb and Pickens not present on Thursday, it was the time to shine for other receivers on the roster such as Ryan Flournoy — who led the team with four receptions — and KaVontae Turpin.
Flournoy earned praise from Schottenheimer earlier in the day, as he looks to build on what he accomplished in his breakout second season in 2025.
“Ryan Flournoy, I really think is taking the next step,” Schottenheimer said. “I think he has a chance to be a terrific receiver in this league.”
It was another opportunity for veteran free agent addition Marquez Valdes-Scantling to earn some targets, as Prescott threw his way three times for two receptions and one drop that was a bit off-target.
“Marquez Valdes-Scantling is doing an awesome job,” Schottenheimer said. “He has to play special teams. He knows that. He hasn’t done that a whole lot, so we’ve talked about that. He’s got speed to be a gunner.”
Diving into the depth chart
Since the pads are not on yet and there’s only so much to take out of offseason settings like this on the field from a spectator standpoint, arguably the biggest points to take away are certain depth chart placements.
Starting on the offensive side of the ball, T.J. Bass looks to be the new backup center now that Hennessy is out for a while. With Williams not at practice, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah split first-team reps at running back with Israel Abanikanda getting a lot of work with the second-team unit — hauling in two receptions and taking an inside handoff.
Tyler Guyton worked as the first-team left tackle while Nate Thomas worked with the second-team unit, and Sam Howell took the majority of second-team reps at quarterback over Joe Milton III after the inverse happened in the media viewing portion last week.
“We’re rotating them evenly,” Schottenheimer said of the quarterbacks. “First week was Joe getting most of the [second-team reps] and Sam mixing in. This week, it’s the other way around. It’s going to be a fun competition, and I love how they’re pushing each other to be great.”
On the defensive side, it was another strong day for cornerback Caelen Carson who registered a pass breakup with the first-team unit. Durant received a lot of first-team work while Shavon Revel Jr. also got some work with the ones.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham worked with the first and second-team units, although he was mainly with the twos. Winters and DeMarvion Overshown were the two first-team off-ball linebackers, and Overshown rotated in with the second-team unit to get work at the MIKE position as opposed to his usual WILL responsibilites with the ones. Veteran free agent signing Curtis Robinson also got second-team work at MIKE.
On special teams, Caleb Downs was working as the personal protector on punt team. After practice, he said it’s something that’s new to him, but something he has also worked on before during his college days at Ohio State.
