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By Jon Machota
2h ago
Dak Prescott posted a photo to his Instagram story on July 2 of him with some of his Cowboys teammates at the University of Miami’s indoor football facility.
Looking to get in some extra offseason work, Prescott was joined by wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert and tight ends Dalton Schultz and Sean McKeon. Running back Ezekiel Elliott also worked with the group, although he was not in the photo.
“We didn’t get to do that last year, obviously with (my) injury, but having (them out there), it was great,” Prescott said over the weekend at his annual ProCamps youth football camp at The Star in Frisco. “We put in some great work, some great work that some of those guys might not have gotten at the back half of OTAs and stuff.
“The purpose is to go out there and to get better, but the bonding happens. You’re there for three days and you’re only there with each other. So whether it’s the dinners, whether it’s the hanging out, that’s what it’s about. Two of the guys I felt like I got closer with just from this trip, and I don’t know if I would’ve been able to without it.”
Prescott was likely referring to Tolbert, the team’s third-round pick, and McKeon, a 2020 undrafted free agent who is expected to see more offensive snaps this season.
Prescott and the group will be back together with the rest of their teammates when training camp officially starts July 27 in Oxnard, Calif. Considering some of the veteran losses on both sides of the ball and on special teams, there are some young players and newcomers expected to have significant roles.
Here are 10 Cowboys, including two mentioned above, who need to have strong training camps to help fill some of those roles.
Jake Ferguson, TE. With Blake Jarwin no longer on the roster, Dallas desperately needs a second tight end to step up alongside Schultz. The jump from college to pro usually isn’t an easy one for tight ends with all they are asked to do. Ferguson, a fourth-round pick in April, was a solid pass catcher in college. If he can show that he’s able to consistently block at the NFL level, he has a chance to get early playing time.
Dante Fowler, DE. The veteran edge rusher was added after the Cowboys were unable to re-sign Randy Gregory. Fowler, 27, had his most productive season in 2019 with the Los Angeles Rams, totaling 11 1/2 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 16 QB hits and six passes defended. All were career-highs. Dallas is hopeful that Fowler can combine with veteran Dorance Armstrong and rookie Sam Williams to make up for the loss of Gregory at the right defensive end position.
Jonathan Garibay, K. The undrafted rookie free agent is the front-runner to be the Cowboys’ kicker this season. Dallas recently added Lirim Hajrullahu back to the roster as camp competition. But if Garibay can prove to be consistent enough in training camp and the preseason, he’ll go into Week 1 as the guy. The Cowboys haven’t entered a season with a rookie kicker since Dan Bailey in 2011.
Kelvin Joseph, CB. There are concerns with Joseph. In March, the 2021 second-round pick was a passenger in a vehicle from which gunshots were fired that killed a man in Dallas. According to his attorney, Joseph was not the shooter and two men were arrested. But even if he is cleared legally, Joseph could face suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He flashed some upside during training camp last year. Is he ready to take another step in his second camp? If not, who will emerge as Dallas’ fourth cornerback behind Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis?
Sean McKeon, TE. Most of his impact has been made on special teams the past two seasons. His offensive opportunities should increase in Year 3. He was on the field for 119 offensive snaps last year, catching four passes for 27 yards and a touchdown. It says a lot that he was part of Prescott’s small group of skill position players in Miami. If he can earn the QB’s trust, there should be more targets in 2022 for McKeon and possibly an even larger role in 2023.
Tyler Smith, OL. The rookie first-round pick is the favorite to start at left guard. The hope is that he can one day become the team’s starting left tackle. Some growing pains are obviously expected, but if the Cowboys can just get a solid year out of Smith, they should be pleased. He’s far from a finished product, but Dallas needs him to contribute immediately.
Jalen Tolbert, WR. No longer having Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson means Tolbert has to contribute early. He looked pretty good working with the first team at the end of minicamp. He has the ability to play on the outside and inside. He could also end up being the team’s new punt returner. With Michael Gallup unlikely to be ready for the beginning of the season, Tolbert is expected to start Week 1. It’ll be interesting to see him go against Diggs, Brown and Lewis every day in California.
James Washington, WR. He didn’t participate in OTAs and minicamp because of a left foot injury. The hope is that Lamb, Tolbert and Washington can be a productive starting trio early in the year. But if Washington is unable to stay healthy, Dallas will either have to add a veteran via free agency signing/trade or turn to other wide receivers on the roster like Noah Brown, Simi Fehoko and T.J. Vasher.
Sam Williams, DE. It’s difficult to judge offensive and defensive linemen during OTAs and minicamp when the pads aren’t on. Training camp will provide a better opportunity to see what rookies like Williams can do, especially when he has to line up across from Tyron Smith. Outside of Diggs, the Cowboys haven’t gotten much out of their recent second-round picks. Can Williams make an immediate impact rushing the passer? He had 12 1/2 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles in 13 games last season for Ole Miss.
Josh Ball, OT. Moving on from La’el Collins has left Dallas with a lot of questions about its depth at offensive tackle. Tyron Smith has been unable to stay healthy for a full season and there isn’t a proven swing tackle on the roster. The backup right and left tackle spots will likely belong to Matt Waletzko, a fifth-round pick this year, and Ball, a fourth-round pick last year. At least one of them needs to have a strong camp and preseason to prove there is valuable depth up front for this upcoming season.
2h ago
Dak Prescott posted a photo to his Instagram story on July 2 of him with some of his Cowboys teammates at the University of Miami’s indoor football facility.
Looking to get in some extra offseason work, Prescott was joined by wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert and tight ends Dalton Schultz and Sean McKeon. Running back Ezekiel Elliott also worked with the group, although he was not in the photo.
“We didn’t get to do that last year, obviously with (my) injury, but having (them out there), it was great,” Prescott said over the weekend at his annual ProCamps youth football camp at The Star in Frisco. “We put in some great work, some great work that some of those guys might not have gotten at the back half of OTAs and stuff.
“The purpose is to go out there and to get better, but the bonding happens. You’re there for three days and you’re only there with each other. So whether it’s the dinners, whether it’s the hanging out, that’s what it’s about. Two of the guys I felt like I got closer with just from this trip, and I don’t know if I would’ve been able to without it.”
Prescott was likely referring to Tolbert, the team’s third-round pick, and McKeon, a 2020 undrafted free agent who is expected to see more offensive snaps this season.
Prescott and the group will be back together with the rest of their teammates when training camp officially starts July 27 in Oxnard, Calif. Considering some of the veteran losses on both sides of the ball and on special teams, there are some young players and newcomers expected to have significant roles.
Here are 10 Cowboys, including two mentioned above, who need to have strong training camps to help fill some of those roles.
Jake Ferguson, TE. With Blake Jarwin no longer on the roster, Dallas desperately needs a second tight end to step up alongside Schultz. The jump from college to pro usually isn’t an easy one for tight ends with all they are asked to do. Ferguson, a fourth-round pick in April, was a solid pass catcher in college. If he can show that he’s able to consistently block at the NFL level, he has a chance to get early playing time.
Dante Fowler, DE. The veteran edge rusher was added after the Cowboys were unable to re-sign Randy Gregory. Fowler, 27, had his most productive season in 2019 with the Los Angeles Rams, totaling 11 1/2 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 16 QB hits and six passes defended. All were career-highs. Dallas is hopeful that Fowler can combine with veteran Dorance Armstrong and rookie Sam Williams to make up for the loss of Gregory at the right defensive end position.
Jonathan Garibay, K. The undrafted rookie free agent is the front-runner to be the Cowboys’ kicker this season. Dallas recently added Lirim Hajrullahu back to the roster as camp competition. But if Garibay can prove to be consistent enough in training camp and the preseason, he’ll go into Week 1 as the guy. The Cowboys haven’t entered a season with a rookie kicker since Dan Bailey in 2011.
Kelvin Joseph, CB. There are concerns with Joseph. In March, the 2021 second-round pick was a passenger in a vehicle from which gunshots were fired that killed a man in Dallas. According to his attorney, Joseph was not the shooter and two men were arrested. But even if he is cleared legally, Joseph could face suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He flashed some upside during training camp last year. Is he ready to take another step in his second camp? If not, who will emerge as Dallas’ fourth cornerback behind Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis?
Sean McKeon, TE. Most of his impact has been made on special teams the past two seasons. His offensive opportunities should increase in Year 3. He was on the field for 119 offensive snaps last year, catching four passes for 27 yards and a touchdown. It says a lot that he was part of Prescott’s small group of skill position players in Miami. If he can earn the QB’s trust, there should be more targets in 2022 for McKeon and possibly an even larger role in 2023.
Tyler Smith, OL. The rookie first-round pick is the favorite to start at left guard. The hope is that he can one day become the team’s starting left tackle. Some growing pains are obviously expected, but if the Cowboys can just get a solid year out of Smith, they should be pleased. He’s far from a finished product, but Dallas needs him to contribute immediately.
Jalen Tolbert, WR. No longer having Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson means Tolbert has to contribute early. He looked pretty good working with the first team at the end of minicamp. He has the ability to play on the outside and inside. He could also end up being the team’s new punt returner. With Michael Gallup unlikely to be ready for the beginning of the season, Tolbert is expected to start Week 1. It’ll be interesting to see him go against Diggs, Brown and Lewis every day in California.
James Washington, WR. He didn’t participate in OTAs and minicamp because of a left foot injury. The hope is that Lamb, Tolbert and Washington can be a productive starting trio early in the year. But if Washington is unable to stay healthy, Dallas will either have to add a veteran via free agency signing/trade or turn to other wide receivers on the roster like Noah Brown, Simi Fehoko and T.J. Vasher.
Sam Williams, DE. It’s difficult to judge offensive and defensive linemen during OTAs and minicamp when the pads aren’t on. Training camp will provide a better opportunity to see what rookies like Williams can do, especially when he has to line up across from Tyron Smith. Outside of Diggs, the Cowboys haven’t gotten much out of their recent second-round picks. Can Williams make an immediate impact rushing the passer? He had 12 1/2 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles in 13 games last season for Ole Miss.
Josh Ball, OT. Moving on from La’el Collins has left Dallas with a lot of questions about its depth at offensive tackle. Tyron Smith has been unable to stay healthy for a full season and there isn’t a proven swing tackle on the roster. The backup right and left tackle spots will likely belong to Matt Waletzko, a fifth-round pick this year, and Ball, a fourth-round pick last year. At least one of them needs to have a strong camp and preseason to prove there is valuable depth up front for this upcoming season.
