The start of the Dallas Cowboys training camp has been eventful through the first two weeks. With about 15 days left and preseason games on the way starting Sunday, this team has plenty of questions that still need to be answered.
We are getting to the point where we should see players rise above their teammates and make a case for why they should be the starter at their position.
Some of the position battles have gone the way I thought they would, while others have surprised me throughout the first two weeks. It’ll be fun to see who takes the bull by the horns and shows why they should be starting when September gets here.
Offensive Line — Hoffman vs Beebe
I will tell you right now that I thought Brock Hoffman had no chance to beat out Cooper Beebe for the starting job. Yet it sounds like Hoffman has the upper hand as of August 5th.
Hoffman, an undrafted free agent from Virginia Tech, started his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He was released from their practice squad in November of that season and signed with Dallas nine days later.
It sounds like Dak Prescott has his mind set on who he wants as the starter, and will likely get his wish since he will be behind him throwing the football.
https://twitter.com/VoiceOfTheStar/status/1818723415341383690
“Brock does it his own way, and he does it the right way,” Prescott said via Adam Schultz of Athlon Sports. “So that’s all that really matters and he’s a guy, the love for the game, the passion, it jumps out when the moment he starts the huddle.”
Beebe was my favorite pick of the Cowboys in this year’s draft, but he might still have a glimmer of hope to win the starting job if he can continue to impress for the rest of training camp into the preseason games.
The offensive line is young and will have growing pains, but hopefully, these two guys will be ready when called upon.
Royce Freeman Season?
Another shock that has started to heat up is the pressure Royce Freeman has put on the running back room.
I had Freeman cut before camp started, but now, heck, he might have a chance to earn himself important touches.
With Freeman performing the way he has, that puts others at risk. Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott and Freeman should be locks to make the roster and compete for meaningful touches.
#Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy on Royce Freeman:
“He does everything well… He’s got very good hands. Has a very high understanding of the game and, also, he has a chance to be one of our primary players on special teams. So, he’s a really good fit for us.”
McCarthy highlighted the… pic.twitter.com/0DT0bPEqKk
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) July 31, 2024
That leaves Malik Davis and Duece Vaughn in a tough spot.
A lot still needs to be sorted out, and the preseason will help with that, but Freeman is showing why he is a veteran and maybe could help the ground game.
This is a unit that will have their work cut out for them this season. ESPN has them ranked dead last in their running back rankings.
Let’s hope that puts a chip on their shoulders to prove them wrong.
Depth at Tight End
The Dallas Cowboys have a good problem on their hands at the tight end spot.
They are deep, and a few guys are battling to be the primary backup to Jake Ferguson. Peyton Hendershot, John Stephens Jr. and Luke Schoonmaker are the names everyone probably knows.
Yet, you need to keep an eye on Brevyn Spann-Ford.
From what I have seen on the surface just from the start of training camp, I could see Brevyn Spann-Ford and John Stephens Jr. being better than Peyton Hendershot and Luke Schoonmaker.
Nice block Brevyn Spann-Ford against Buddy Johnson on the edge here. Gets about 4 yards of displacement.
Takes a good angle out of his stance, get square, unlocks his hips and drives Johnson back.
Not flashy but those are positive reps. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/JgMbwi7Tpz
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) July 31, 2024
If Hendershot is not careful, he may be the odd man out and find himself cut.
Spann–Ford is a heck of a blocker and one that the Cowboys can use with a younger offensive line and a running back room that will be by committee.
Let’s keep our eyes on how this shakes out, but this team has done a heck of a job finding talent like this and turning them into really good players.
