OXNARD, Calif. — It's as inevitable as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. Every year the Dallas Cowboys are pleasantly surprised by just how quickly some players develop when training camp gets underway in Oxnard, and there is no shortage of names who have climbed from the ranks of the overlooked to become one of the most discussed players in camp.
Expect that to be the case again in 2024.
With so many questions at some of the most key positions on the roster, the battles will be hot and heavy over the next several weeks — in both camp and the preseason — and that means it's time for a round of predictions.
Who exactly will be the latest to steal the show in Oxnard??
Let's start with the offense.
Nick Harris: With CeeDee Lamb expected to miss some time at training camp, the opportunity is there for the depth receivers to make a larger-than-usual impact with the first-team group, and I think Ryan Flournoy will be the one to raise the most eyebrows. Sure, Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks will have their increased opportunities, and all signs point towards those two taking advantage of the extra reps, but I think Flournoy will be the guy that will be making the highlight reel catches, the big open field plays in the preseason and eventually the guy that Trey Lance and Cooper Rush end up relying on in pressure situations at camp and in preseason games. His strength as a pass-catcher and yards-after-catch runner will turn heads.
Patrik: For my money, I'm going with John Stephens Jr., and that's for a couple of reasons. I believe Jake Ferguson is on the verge of an All-Pro season in 2024, but Luke Schoonmaker is returning to the field from another injury and everything is definitely up for grabs behind Ferguson. So while Schoonmaker will get the obvious nod at TE2, Stephens returns after a show-stealing rookie training camp that unfortunately ended in a torn ACL and a redshirt rookie season. He's back and in even better physical form than he was when he gave the defense hell last summer, so I'm looking for him to really put on a show in camp … and beyond … and especially as undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford begins to push the issue.
Nick Eatman: I know we've seen this before, but since we're talking about camp, I'll go with Deuce Vaughn. He'll shine out here just like the California sun. Now, that doesn't always mean it will translate to the preseason games, although it did last year, and more importantly to the regular season. But you have to start somewhere and that's why we're here. In camp, Vaughn is tough to check for all defenders. I think he'll be more comfortable in the offense in Year 2 and when the Cowboys get to a 2-minute drill, he'll make big plays. I think people will be talking about him once again, although we'll still be waiting to see it consistently in the regular season.
Mickey Spagnola: Let's go with KaVontae Turpin. And I don't mean as a return guy. We know what he can do there with the ball in his hands. I mean as a receiver/running back. He has only scratched the surface his first two seasons as a receiver and a guy you can hand the ball to. If the offseason workouts are any indications, sure appears the Cowboys are making a priority of getting him the ball, either lined up in the slot, lined up in the backfield or on end arounds. Recall last year he carried the ball 11 times for 110 yards and a touchdown. Handing him the ball can be a dangerous offensive weapon. Why he averaged 10 yards a line of scrimmage touch last year. Time for him to explode in the final year of his three-contrat.
