We are starting to get some clarity on a handful of position battles through camp so far.
Every NFL team heads into training camp with questions about its roster; it’s part of the process. However, the Dallas Cowboys head into 2024 with more questions than usual, setting up one of the more intriguing training camps in recent memory.
While the big names at solidified spots are known, some of the other positions that are looking for answers are beginning to heat up heading into the third week of training camp.
Everyone knows that the Cowboys are looking for help across the offensive line, in the running back room, and at wide receiver. Dallas will be leaning on youth a lot more this season, and with that comes trying to figure out who is going to rise above the rest. We take a look at some of the more interesting battles that are unfolding.
Brock Hoffman vs. Cooper Beebe
Many people heard Cooper Beebe’s name get called in April’s draft and immediately penciled him into the starting center spot out of the gate. However, Brock Hoffman has been doing everything he can in this training camp to tell the decision-makers, “Not so fast.”
All of the indications in camp right now are that Hoffman looks to be in the lead for the spot and has looked like the more consistent player to this point. While Hoffman is a veteran, and some of that is to be expected, it may be a bit of a surprise to some who were so high on Beebe from Day 1.
The feeling around camp is that Beebe is doing a lot of good things, but he has struggled with his snaps and getting in the right position post-snap, which has caused him issues at his new position. Beebe has reportedly looked more natural at guard rather than center, and it would make sense as there is less involved on a play-to-play basis there.
However, the Cowboys drafted Beebe for a reason, and that was to see him be the eventual center of this team. While it may not happen instantly due to Hoffman holding on and some of Beebe’s inconsistencies, this feels like a position battle that will carry on down to the wire of Week 1.
The entire running back room
It’s tough to predict what this Cowboys running back room will be like. Early in the offseason, the odds seemed that it was Ezekiel Elliott or Royce Freeman making the team, with the familiarity in the building giving Zeke the nod. However, it appears word out of camp is that the decision-makers have loved what they have seen from Freeman to this point, putting his roster spot in a much more comfortable standing than initially thought.
If Zeke and Freeman are virtual roster locks, that puts the microscope on the rest of the group to round out one, or maybe two more spots. With full-back Hunter Leupke getting cross-trained as a tight end and the overall feeling of his versatility, it appears he is in the same boat as Freeman when it comes to a roster spot.
If that is the case, that theoretically leaves one spot open for Rico Dowdle, Duece Vaughn, Malik Davis, and Snoop Conner. Right off the bat, the odd men out would appear to be Davis and Conner, putting the focus on Dowdle and Vaughn. And with Dowdle arguably being the most talented back on the roster in 2024 and potentially even RB1 when it is all said and done, it puts Vaughn in an uncomfortable situation.
A lot needs to be sorted out, and the preseason games will begin to help that process, but for a room that no one is overly confident in, there continues to be a lot left to play out before Week 1 arrives.
The entire wide receiver room
Arguably, the most fun group to watch thus far in training camp has been the wide receiver room. With players like the three Jalens making plays: Tolbert, Brooks, and Moreno-Cropper, it has been an everyday battle to see who is going to shine.
That doesn’t even account for the fact that Tyron Billy-Johnson has been excellent, and KaVontae Turpin has flashed, as well. The WR3 position looks to be Tolbert’s to lose, and he hasn’t done anything to this point to make anyone feel otherwise. However, beyond him feels like far more of a tough situation than maybe even the Cowboys imagined.
With CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Tolbert locked to make the roster, if Dallas keeps three more, it is getting increasingly harder to find out who those best three are. Turpin feels like a lock because of his special team’s play, leaving two more spots for Billy-Johnson, Brooks, and Moreno-Cropper to fight it out. This also doesn’t include sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy, who has been dealing with an injury early in camp.
With five potentially worthy candidates fighting for three spots, the wide receiver position will continue to be one of the more fun positions to watch this preseason.