It is June 13th, the middle of the summer, the slowest time of the year while we wait for training camp for the Dallas Cowboys.
As I was looking at the Cowboy’s depth chart, I was playing around with who may or may not make the final roster, as well as a couple of second-year players who might take a leap in 2024 for this team.
Just in case they got lost in the shuffle and you forgot who the 2023 draft class was, they had eight picks, and some saw the field in limited time, while others couldn’t find a place a year ago.
"I don't think the Dallas Cowboys are gonna get a deal done with Dak Prescott..
He's gonna be an unrestricted free agent and he's gonna make a lot of money" ~ @Espngreeny#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/NjAFp2Y8cp
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 12, 2024
Those picks included Mazi Smith, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown, Viliami Fehoko, Asim Richards, Eric Scott Jr., Deuce Vaughn, and Jalen Brooks.
I am not going to get into all of these guys, but we know Smith and Overshown should be two players that should grow this season; but what about some of the others we didn’t see that much?
Eric Scott Jr.
The Cowboys traded up in last year’s draft to make sure they could select Scott. Many thought to be a reach in the sixth round, as he was considered an undrafted free agent on many draft boards.
He will have to compete with Caelen Carson Nahshon Wright, and Israel Mukuamu, but without Stephon Gilmore on the roster now, a spot will open up for someone in the cornerback room to take.
Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland will be the two stars, followed by Jourdan Lewis, who Dallas resigned this offseason, which hinted they wouldn’t bring Gilmore back.
Here is the workout video that Eric Scott sent the #Cowboys ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/ePCYD9pIhU
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) May 4, 2023
Once training camp starts in late July, we will see if any of the young guys like Scott can take control of some playing time when September rolls around.
In college, In 2022, Scott finished with 27 tackles, two for loss, and seven passes defended.
He had two interceptions, both he took to the house for touchdowns.
At 6-foot, 197 pounds, Scott has the size and quickness to make it difficult for wide receivers to gain any sort of separation, but we have not seen enough of him even in the game he struggled in last season to know what he’s got.
Jalen Brooks
This is the player I am most excited about, and think he could take a massive jump in 2024.
The Cowboys will need Jalen Tolbert and Brooks this season with only CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks as the two-headed monster.
During the regular season in his rookie year, Brooks had a few moments. He caught six passes, including four in one game against the Giants in a second-half blowout.
Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks have both had a lot of positive buzz this offseason.
Not going to overreact because it’s OTAs and minicamp, but a pretty loud drumbeat here. https://t.co/7LTU4QLFvF
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) June 5, 2024
With CeeDee Lamb holding out, the battle for WR3 will be earned this offseason. Tolbert will get it, but Brooks is going to probably give himself a chance to earn reps in a four-WR set.
With Michael Gallup gone, everyone moves up a slot, and Brooks will be given every chance until the first snap happens in September.
Scott and Brooks have the best chance as far as players who we did not think would see the field early for this team to make a leap in year two.
Viliami Fehoko is another one that has a pretty good chance to be a good depth guy for this team.
Smith, Schoonmaker, Overshown all should play from week one. Smith needs to take the biggest leap with how disappointing he was a year ago. Overshown will return from his torn ACL, so let’s give him a bit.
As for Schoomaker, I think he will be off the roster pretty soon. Can’t stay healthy, and with Peyton Hendershot and Brevyn Spann-Ford, he will have to stay on the field.
