OXNARD, Calif.
We’ve crossed the halfway point of practice sessions in Oxnard, Calif. for the Dallas Cowboys in training camp, as the team prepares for a three-game preseason slate and two joint practices in the coming weeks. In other words, we are now in the full swing of things in Southern California.
Through the first seven practices, we’ve learned a lot about the new faces on the team, and we’ve seen where the returning players have picked things up after the 2025 season.
Let’s take a look at the five biggest standouts at camp so far.
George Pickens
You can’t talk about training camp for the Cowboys this year without mentioning George Pickens first and foremost.
Not only did he not bring any potential contract drama into Cowboys camp, he’s been unguardable for the new-look secondary through seven practices. From bringing down contested catches with ease to displaying effectiveness in the short-to-intermediate game, Pickens has been a reliable target for Dak Prescott in camp.
Now, Prescott has had a strong camp, too. But if we’re looking at the guys who have been a big reason why Prescott has had a nice start, the list starts with Pickens. His wide catch radius and what seems to be an added physical element to his route running has just made things too easy for his 11th-year quarterback.
Caleb Downs
It was clear from the jump that the Cowboys put a lot of trust in their No. 11 overall pick to serve multiple roles on defense, and it’s been met with success from Caleb Downs so far. What may feel like drinking from a fire hose to many, Downs has taken on any challenge the coaching staff has thrown at him.
He’s specifically found a lot of one-on-one matchups with CeeDee Lamb, and it’s been a fun battle watching the highly touted rookie hold his own against one of the best wide receivers in the league. In Saturday’s practice, he ripped a ball out of Lamb’s grasp in the back of the end zone for an incompletion.
Downs is expected to be the nickel cornerback in a healthy base defense for the group, but don’t be surprised if they put him back deep at safety, in the box as a rover safety/linebacker or in an outside corner spot in certain situations. The chess piece element from Downs continues to make the coaching staff excited about the overall potential of the defense.
Cobie Durant
One of the bigger questions coming into camp was who would step up in the cornerback room to be a starting-caliber player on the outside opposite of DaRon Bland. So far, that answer has been Cobie Durant.
The fifth-year veteran has had at least one pass breakup in all but one practice, and he had one of the few interceptions on Prescott on a ball to the end zone where Durant broke off his assignment and jumped in front of Lamb for a pick.
One of the many emphasis points for the Cowboys in the offseason to get better on defense was creating takeaways, and Durant has shown that ball production in Oxnard so far.
Jaishawn Barham
It’s always a good sign when a rookie emerges in camp. It’s even better when it comes from someone outside the first round.
Jaishawn Barham has quickly gained trust from the coaching staff to the point where he has been the first linebacker rotating in with the first-team behind DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters. When Overshown had to miss a team period on Monday with a sore leg, Barham was even trusted to take on green-dot communicator responsibilities.
The third-round pick did suffer a minor groin injury on Thursday, but he is expected to work back into practice as soon as next week. With the preseason approaching, Barham could be a guy they throw out there just to get the first game reps out of the way, but don’t be surprised if he gets the bubble wrap treatment later this month, as it looks like he will have some sort of role defensively this season.
Quinnen Williams & Kenny Clark
Much was made about Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark both getting a full offseason with the team this year, and if their start to camp is any indication, that buzz was for good reason.
Both have fed off each other against a strong offensive line interior group in what has been one of the more fun matchups of camp. When Williams gets double-teamed, Clark seems to get home. When Clark gets two guys on him, then Williams gets his run at the backfield. They have to be included together in this exercise because of how much their games coincide with the success of the other.
If the Dallas Cowboys defense truly rebounds in 2026 after a disastrous campaign last year, don’t be surprised if the root of the success starts with this duo.
Deeper on the depth chart
Julius Wood was a name Cowboys fans probably got familiar with in 2024 when he came in as an undrafted rookie and made consistent plays. Two years later, the safety is doing the same thing. A couple of forced fumbles, disciplined run fits and a couple of pass deflections have made everyone make sure to write down Wood’s name.
Justin Barron got a late-season roster call-up last year for special teams purposes. And while it may be tough for the second-year linebacker to find a 53-man spot this year, he’s put himself in position to truly push for one as the preseason gets going. When the second-team defense finds success in the backfield, it feels like Barron is almost always in the mix. In coverage, he’s also found success.
Joe Milton III has paced the competition so far for the backup quarterback job over Sam Howell. Both signal-callers started camp on a good note, but as Howell has started to slip earlier this week, Milton remained the more steady hand. Preseason will be the biggest determining factor in who wins this job, so don’t give Milton the job just yet, but he has started to crack slightly ahead.
T.J. Bass might be the only reliable backup offensive lineman so far in camp. From getting work as the primary center with the second-team unit to picking up quite a bit of first-team reps at left guard on Saturday, Bass has continued to hold his own in his fourth training camp. The Cowboys can go into the season knowing they have a trusted rotational body in the interior of the offensive line in the Oregon product.
Caelen Carson was a name that Brian Schottenheimer quietly squeezed in when mentioning the competition to be a starting outside cornerback, and it’s been for good reason. The third-year Wake Forest product has gotten reps with the first-team that he has held his own with, and he had an interception on Howell on Thursday that served as a bright moment with the second-team unit.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports/Rivals and 247Sports.