Cowboys polls: 5 questions to answer heading into training camp

What are your answers to the biggest questions about the Cowboys heading into training camp?

Today we have five questions surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. As the team heads to training camp, we are polling the fanbase on these five issues along while adding some context of our own.

Vote in the polls then hit the comments with your reasons.

Which position battle are you most excited to watch during training camp?

Mike: It’s not so much an individual battle that seems the most interesting to watch, but more of how does this cornerback group handle the wide receivers and running backs in the passing game. There are a lot of questions on the depth/injuries at the cornerback position and facing this passing attack led by CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Facing such a talent will hopefully raise the standards of this questionable cornerback group, as they say “steel sharpens steel”.

Brandon: I need to see what the Cowboys have at running back in order to feel completely confident in Brian Schottenheimer’s vision on offense. Having George Pickens in the fold should open things up for Dak Prescott, but what they do in the running game could make or break a run at the playoffs.

Javonte Williams should be the assumed starter given his experience and pass catching ability, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Miles Sanders also gets in the mix. Rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah should be sprinkled in to start and don’t be surprised if Deuce Vaughn gets carries before they do given his familiarity with the offense.

Which rookie will make the biggest impact early in camp?

Brandon: The pass rush drills are always fun to watch which is where I think newly signed Donovan Ezeiruaku will be able to shine.

Coming into the draft, Ezeiruaku was one of the more polished pass rushers showing off a variety of moves and speed. If he can use to his advantage against the Cowboys tackles, that should give fans hope for what he can do in year one while also scaring fans of Dallas’ depth at offensive tackle.

Mike: Tyler Booker has some big shoes to fill on the offensive line taking over from who was argued as the team’s best player, Zack Martin. The offensive line needs a bully and someone to take the lead and Booker ticks both boxes, and with him taking on the role it will solidify the offense helping everything else filter from there. That makes his impact the most important, especially in the early stages of camp while the team tries to establish itself.

Who has the most to prove going into camp?

Mike: This falls on two players and both are on defense. Both Mazi Smith and Sam Williams have the pressure on them to prove themselves in camp. Smith will be in his third year and if he fails again here then both fans and coaches will be getting to the end of their tether with him, and this defense could really do with a player at his position stepping up. As for Williams, he’s got a lot to prove in order to keep a roster spot. The competition at the position is fierce after the departure of DeMarcus Lawrence and if Williams struggles to get a foothold in camp then he could be looking for employment elsewhere.

Brandon: Luke Schoonmaker and Damone Clark are two names that come to mind. Schoonmaker has missed critical time in the offseason over his first few seasons due to injuries. Now fully healthy heading into camp, Schoonmaker has to maximize his opportunities because Dallas has Brevyn Spann-Ford, Princeton Fant, and a couple UDFAs right on his heels.

Clark is an interesting name simply because he’s entering his fourth year with Dallas and once upon a time had over 100 tackles as a starter. The former LSU tiger took a step back last season under Mike Zimmer and became a rotational player on defense. Now with Matt Eberflus, a linebacker guru, as defensive coordinator, things may be starting to click for Clark.

If Jack Sanborn or Kenneth Murray don’t show enough in camp, Clark could come away as a big winner if he shows signs of progress—especially entering a contract year.

What are you most hoping to see from the defense in camp under Matt Eberflus?

Brandon: I’m hoping he can elevate Osa Odighizuwa’s game to an All-Pro level. Coming from the school of Rod Marinelli, Eberflus values the under tackle (3-technique) as being the nucleus of his defense.

Odighizuwa will be a core player for Dallas’ defense for years to come after signing his extension this offseason. He has always been a dynamic pass rusher, but the one thing that separates him from super stars like Chris Jones and Aaron Donald is run defense.

It’s never looked horrible for Odighizuwa, but if he wants to throw his name in the conversation for league’s best defensive tackle, Eberflus will need to elevate his entire skill set.

Mike: As it always has been with this Dallas defense for as long as fans can remember, stop the run! The defense’s run-stopping abilities have long been an issue, and that leads to issues in very important games where the opposition establishes the run too easily and dominates the game. Hopefully, Eberflus has a plan and can find a way for the Dallas’ interior defensive linemen to control their position and in turn slow down the run. If that box gets checked here then confidence will be high going into the regular season.

Which player is most likely to become a camp standout?

Brandon: Dallas’ weakness on the defensive line is at defensive tackle so I think in those pass rush drills people will start to see why Tyler Booker was a first-round pick. His anchor and base in pass protection is what stood out during his time at Alabama, allowing zero sacks over his collegiate career. All eyes will be on him already filling in for Zack Martin, but if he can show any sort of resemblance to what Martin showed as a rookie, get ready for the early buzz and Pro Bowl expectations.

Mike: This one traditionally for Dallas has always been a random player that fans least expect. Based on that and the hope the offensive line improves on last season, let’s predict Javonte Williams becomes a camp standout and raises fans hopes and expectations.