Training camp is about to open for the Dallas Cowboys, and a few roster fights already stand out before the first practice even gets going. Rookies and veterans report on July 28, the team hits the field the next day, and camp runs through August 18 before wrapping with a joint scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints.
The biggest battles are mostly about depth, not the top of the lineup. Dallas has a lot of the starting picture settled, but there are still several spots where camp and preseason work will decide who sticks and who goes.
At wide receiver, Jonathan Mingo is suddenly in a real fight to keep his place. Jerry Jones was thrilled in 2024 after landing him from the Carolina Panthers in a trade that cost a fourth-round pick, but the production has not matched the excitement. Mingo has only six catches on 21 targets for 71 yards with the Cowboys, and now he is trying to hold onto what could be the fifth and final receiver job.
The pressure is coming from two different directions. Traeshon Holden, a second-year player, has been one of the early surprises of the offseason and has apparently climbed higher on the depth chart than expected.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling has also made noise during OTA's and minicamp. Holden may have the edge because of his connection with wide receivers coach Junior Adams from their Oregon days, and because he brings the most upside as the youngest player in the group.
If Dallas trims one of the three, Mingo looks like the one most likely to go.
There’s a similar squeeze on the edge, where Dallas wants to build out a five-man rotation behind Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Malachi Lawrence. That leaves Sam Williams, James Houston, and Marist Liufau competing for the final two spots.
Williams and Houston have the cleaner path since they already play the position, while Liufau is making the switch from inside linebacker. Christian Parker saw enough in Liufau to push for the move, so he can’t be dismissed, but he still looks like the most vulnerable player in the group unless he puts together a huge preseason.
The backfield is another spot worth watching. Javonte Williams has the RB1 role locked up after his breakout 2025 season, but Dallas still needs a dependable backup.
Jaydon Blue was supposed to fill that lane last year, though he never won over the coaching staff. Malik Davis stepped in and handled the job well, but now he has to hold off Blue, who is entering camp with a new focus, and Phil Mafah, who was a preseason favorite last year before spending most of his rookie season on the IR.
The Cowboys are expected to give the younger backs every chance, which puts Davis in the most danger of being cut, even if a return to the practice squad remains a possibility.
Dallas also has some sorting to do at quarterback. The Cowboys traded for Joe Milton in 2025 while trying to find a primary backup for Dak Prescott after Cooper Rush.
Milton showed flashes, but the team wanted more consistency, so it signed Sam Howell in free agency this offseason. Brian Schottenheimer has already said the two will battle for the QB2 job.
That setup does Milton no favors, and Howell’s experience and apparent trust from the staff make Milton the likelier cut right now.
The secondary looks different, too, though not every spot is a full-on battle. Dallas overhauled the safety group and now has Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson, and P.J Locke in the mix with Malik Hooker.
At cornerback, the Cowboys stayed relatively quiet and are still built around DaRon Bland, while Shavon Revel and free agent addition Cobie Durant compete for roles. Devin Moore, a fourth-round pick, is also in the picture after injuries slowed what was supposed to be a strong college profile.
None of those corners are expected to be cut, but any of the three could end up with a major role in 2026.
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