A week into training camp, the Cowboys have already started answering some of the big questions hanging over the roster. With five practices in the books and two of them in pads, there’s enough out there to see a few clear trends taking shape.
One of the biggest early positives has been Caleb Downs. The rookie from Ohio State arrived with the kind of reputation that usually comes attached to glowing coach speak, and so far he’s lived up to it.
Past coaches, including Nick Saban, had already praised his approach, and that same theme has carried into camp. Downs has been described as studious and focused, and that has shown up in the way he’s handled the early stages of his first camp.
That matters because rookies usually have some rough edges to work through. The typical first-year mistakes often come from learning a pro system and cleaning up the kind of bone-headed errors that can linger for weeks.
Downs hasn’t been perfect, but the reviews on his work ethic and attention to detail have been strong, especially from head coach Brian Schottenheimer. As camp moves forward and preseason action begins, Cowboys fans will be hoping that carries over.
The other obvious shift is in the secondary. Last year, that group was a major problem.
The entire unit combined for only four interceptions in 2025, and the Cowboys clearly treated that as an issue that needed fixing. In the offseason, they added Cobie Durant and Jalen Thompson, drafted Downs in the first round, and brought in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who is also earning strong reviews from players and coaches.
So far, the early returns have been encouraging. The secondary looks different on the practice field, not just in terms of production but in the edge and energy it’s bringing. Durant, Daron Bland and Shavon Revel have all been sticky and active, making plays and showing the kind of intensity this group needs if it’s going to take a real step forward in 2026.
And then there’s Tyler Guyton, who has settled the left tackle question for now. Schottenheimer may have framed the spot as open for competition, but the result became clear on Tuesday, August 4. Guyton is the starter.
That doesn’t mean the move was automatic. There may not have been much of a real battle with seventh-round pick Nate Thomas, but Guyton still had to do enough to earn the job, and that wasn’t nothing.
Given his struggles in his first few years, the position had been worth watching. Now the Cowboys can move ahead with Guyton in place as they try to build what could be a special offensive unit in 2026.
Guyton, along with Terence Steele, is one of the key pieces in that equation. If the line comes together, it goes a long way toward determining whether this offense can become what the Cowboys believe it can be.
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Cowboys Suddenly Have A Worry They Couldn't Afford At Linebacker
Jaishawn Barham has been one of the more encouraging young pieces in Cowboys training camp, showing enough to get noticed in a linebacker group that could use every steady hand it can find. The rookies early work had started to create a little momentum around his role, especially with Dallas still sorting out depth and rotation options on defense.
Practice took an uneasy turn when Barham appeared to get banged up and was checked by medical staff before walking to the tent and then back to the locker room. The Cowboys have not offered an official update yet, which leaves some uncertainty around how long he might be out and whether Dee Winters would need to take on a bigger share of the snaps if Barham misses time. [Read more 🡒]
Three Fringe Cowboys Are Forcing Their Way Into The Roster Fight
Training camp has a way of turning the bottom of the roster into one of the most interesting parts of the Cowboys summer, and that has been true again this week. Undrafted rookie Michael Trigg has drawn notice with the kind of practice work that keeps a fringe player in the conversation, while Curtis Robinson is picking up more responsibility on both defense and special teams as Dallas sorts through its depth before the first preseason game.
The same pressure is hanging over Sam Williams, who is still fighting for his place as the Cowboys sort out a crowded edge mix. For players in that tier, every rep matters because the coaching staff is looking for reliability as much as upside, and the next few practices will carry extra weight as roster decisions begin to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Have One Ruthless Answer To Washingtons Stefon Diggs Splash
Washingtons move to add Stefon Diggs gives the Commanders another big-name target to pair with Terry McLaurin, and it also puts a little extra pressure on Dallas to answer in kind. If the Cowboys are looking for a direct response, the logic points to the defensive side of the ball, where help at linebacker would do more than just make a statement. Bobby Wagner is the obvious name in that conversation, especially for a team that wants proven production and a veteran presence in the middle of the defense.
Wagner would bring familiarity with the division and a track record that still plays in a room like Dallas linebacker group. His recent work in Washington showed he can stay on the field and handle a major role, which is part of why he keeps surfacing as a fit if the Cowboys want to counter the Commanders latest splash with something equally sharp. The question is whether Dallas wants to make a move that feels both practical and pointed, or keep looking for its answer elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]