(Editor's Note: Who doesn't love lists? Throughout training camp, 'High 5' will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2024 preseason.)
The Cowboys have landed on the West Coast and training camp 2024 is here. Practices begin on Thursday, and there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on. Including multiple position battles that are crucial to building the roster this season.
Not every battle features a starting spot up for grabs, some are a constant battle for early season snaps and a place on the roster. This season brings so many questions around the 2023 draft class, the new group of rookies, and a group of veterans who have everything to prove. Making this one of the most important training camps in recent memory. These are the five biggest position battles that will take place on the practice fields in Oxnard:
5. Wide Receiver - CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks are at the top of the depth chart, but behind them could be anyone's ballgame. Jalen Tolbert showed some promise in year two, but he has a challenge incoming from returners like KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, and Jalen Cropper. Additionally, it'll be the first camp for rookie Ryan Flournoy and Racey McMath. Who fills out the depth chart and earns a roster spot outside the top two?
4. Defensive Tackle - All eyes are on Mazi Smith as he enters year two on the defensive line. The 2023 first-round selection has some work to do after a disappointing year one. He'll look to solidify most of the defensive tackle snaps and prove doubters wrong. For the others in the position group, it's an opportunity to take those snaps instead. Justin Rogers and Carl Davis each enter with a chance to be impactful as one-techniques.
3. Running Back - This is most wide-open position battle of the summer. It includes seven players that are all looking to prove something in their own way. The only reason this isn't higher on the list, is because the running back position is so tough to evaluate on a non-contact practice field. Everyone from Ezekiel Elliott to Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freeman to Malik Davis, Snoop Connor and Nathaniel Peat, are on high alert entering camp. Anyone has a chance to start, but no one is safe with a roster spot either.
2. Quarterback - Cooper Rush has been the true backup quarterback for three full seasons now, putting together a 5-1 record as a starter when Dak Prescott is unavailable. However, Trey Lance has been on the roster for a full season now after being acquired from San Francisco last August. Lance has three benefits working in his favor, he's a former top three pick, only 24 years old, and the Cowboys prior investment of a fourth-round pick. The only thing he doesn't have is live reps. That will change in Oxnard.
1. Center - Good news, both Brock Hoffman and Cooper Beebe appear to be capable of stepping in as the starting center. Bad news, both are relatively inexperienced at the center spot. Hoffman played 156 career snaps at center, while Beebe played most of his final season with Kansas State at left guard. Hoffman has the upper hand having been around the NFL and around the team previously, but Beebe is expected to be the future at the position. Will his rookie camp be enough to win the starting spot?
