Cowboys Begin Organized Team Activities with Expectations and Key Questions
The Dallas Cowboys kick off their organized team activities this week, offering the first on-field look at their 90-player roster. The team, following a season of significant moves, faces a crucial period of preparation.
Defensive end Micah Parsons, although he hinted that he might miss some sessions, participated in the voluntary offseason program last week. On the other hand, Trevon Diggs is in the process of recovering from left knee surgery, while quarterback Dak Prescott will be limited while recovering from a hamstring injury.
The Cowboys have been active in the offseason, reinforcing their roster with key acquisitions.
- George Pickens (wide receiver)
- Kenneth Murray Jr. (linebacker)
- Kaiir Elam (cornerback)
- Joe Milton III (backup quarterback)
These additions were achieved through agreements with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots, respectively. In addition, the team added free agents such as Dante Fowler Jr., Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, Solomon Thomas, and Payton Turner, strengthening various positions.
Despite the activities not being carried out with the complete equipment, there are important questions in the Cowboys’ roster. Below, three key questions that the team must answer:
ECU cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., a third-round pick, has been inactive since September due to a torn left ACL.
Who will be the nickel cornerback?
The departure of Jourdan Lewis to the Jacksonville Jaguars has left a void on the field and in the locker room. The situation is complicated by health issues, as Diggs may not be ready for the start of the season. Shavon Revel Jr., selected in the third round, is expected to be able to participate in training camp, while he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in September. Caelen Carson also returns after shoulder surgery.
In 2022, DaRon Bland filled the slot position after Lewis suffered a serious injury. In 2023, Bland set an NFL record with five interception returns for touchdowns and led the league with nine interceptions. However, he missed 10 games in 2024 due to a stress fracture in his left foot.
While Bland could assume the role, he might be more valuable as an outside corner. Elam and Carson have also played outside positions. Revel will have to adjust to the NFL while recovering from his knee injury, which could make it difficult for him to adapt to the inside.
If not Bland, then who? The Cowboys could consider the free agent market as a temporary solution.
Define the OT3
Tyler Guyton begins spring as the left tackle, while Terence Steele is the right tackle. The unknown is who will fill the role of backup tackle that Chuma Edoga played for much of the last two seasons.
The Cowboys need Guyton to improve in his second year for their offensive line to improve under the direction of new coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley. If Guyton doesn’t deliver, who will they turn to?
Asim Richards performed well in small doses last season and also showed that he can play guard. Hakeem Adenije, for his part, started five games at tackle in three years with the Cincinnati Bengals, but played guard last season with the Minnesota Vikings. Saahdiq Charles was out of football last year, but started eight games at tackle for the Washington Commanders over three years before moving to guard in 2023.
Matt Waletzko and Ajani Cornelius, a rookie, are also in the mix.
The Cowboys’ intention is to keep Tyler Smith at left guard and consider him as an emergency option at left tackle if things don’t work out with Guyton. However, coach Brian Schottenheimer stated that his goal will be to line up “the best five,” so no possibility is ruled out.
Depth in Defensive Tackling
The situation doesn’t center on the under tackle position. The Cowboys re-signed Osa Odighizuwa to a $20 million-a-year contract in March. Thomas can also play there. In passing situations, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Marshawn Kneeland play on the interior.
The focus is on the nose tackle position.
Mazi Smith, the 2023 first-round pick, faces a crucial season. He had positive moments in 2024, but not enough. The Cowboys selected Jay Toia in the seventh round of this year’s draft. At 342 pounds, he has the mass to handle the rigors of the nose tackle position.
After that, there are rookie Tommy Akingbesote and second-year tackles Denzel Daxon and Justin Rogers.
Last year, the Cowboys signed veteran Linval Joseph towards the end of training camp. They may do it again if they don’t like what they see in the summer.
It must be remembered that when Matt Eberflus was the Cowboys’ linebackers coach, Dallas had the top-ranked run defense in 2016 with veteran Terrell McClain as the starting nose tackle. The Cowboys’ run defense will depend on the effort of the entire defensive line, if not the mass of some interior linemen.
