Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) makes a one-handed catch in the end zone as defensive back Shavon Revel (28) defends during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
OXNARD, Calif. — Another year of Cowboys training camp in California is in the books. It was a training camp that had a different feel to many of the previous ones. You know the drama that usually follows the Cowboys to and from Oxnard? That never really happened.
That doesn’t mean there weren’t noteworthy moments or storylines, however.
Here are five standouts from the Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens celebrates a touchdown catch during a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
WR George Pickens
If there was one player who had the potential to spark drama, it was Pickens. The Cowboys franchise-tagged him after a career-best season then told him they wouldn’t negotiate a long-term deal this year. It would’ve been understandable for Pickens to be frustrated, at the very least. Instead, Pickens showed up for all mandatory events and never showed an ounce of frustration. In fact, Pickens not only looked like the best player at Cowboys training camp, but also the happiest one to be there.
Pickens was asked if he put any of the narratives about him from his time in Pittsburgh — about his need to grow up, mostly — to rest by how he handled this offseason.
“Man, I would hope so,” Pickens said. “Because I kind of let it go by the wayside now and not really [cared] about what others say.”
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Because of how Pickens has performed, others have had no problem saying good things about him now. His approach has also added credence to the idea that maybe the Cowboys would keep him here long-term.
It could depend on Pickens’ market. And if this training camp was any indication of how this season will go, his market should become much bigger.
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Shavon Revel (28) celebrates after breaking up a pass during a training camp practice on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
CB Shavon Revel Jr.
The Cowboys looked at Revel as a rookie heading into this training camp. He missed all of last year’s training camp as he recovered from an ACL injury. The third-round pick didn’t play until mid-November. When he did, he looked like a rookie who was still recovering in a defense that didn’t always suit him.
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By the end of training camp, the Cowboys had to raise their expectations of Revel. The second-year corner took a major step in training camp. The Cowboys were last in the NFL in pass breakups last season. Unofficially, Revel had the most in training camp. He looked the part of a defensive playmaker that scouts believed could’ve been a first-round pick before his knee injury.
There’s still room to go with Revel. There undoubtedly will be up-and-down moments for him in his second season. That shouldn’t be a surprise. But it shouldn’t be a surprise when he impresses, either.
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (92) talks with linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, defensive lineman Rashan Gary (7) and linebacker Dee Winters (53) during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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DT Quinnen Williams
The Cowboys didn’t hide their intentions. Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones said at the opening news conference of training camp that they wanted to negotiate a long-term deal with Williams. The Cowboys had seen enough since acquiring him at last season’s trade deadline to make him a core part of their defense moving forward. He was signed through 2027, but the Cowboys wanted to extend him before any contract drama could set in. They got the job done with time to spare in camp.
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The fact that it happened so quickly is also a testament to their belief in Williams. They’ve loved his leadership and his drive to make the playoffs for the first time in his career. They’ve also enjoyed the player, too. Williams proved to be a daily handful for the Cowboys’ interior offensive linemen. Against the Rams in a joint practice, Williams also looked good, adding belief that the Cowboys could have an interior pass rush and stop the run simultaneously.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Camden Brown (6) celebrates a touchdown catch with wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (81) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Seattle.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
WR Camden Brown
How did Brown go from roster afterthought to the cusp of making the team? By consistently making plays, that’s how. Brown has been a consistent standout since the beginning of training camp. He set a school record last season at Georgia Southern with 14 touchdown catches. He flashed that ability in practice then showed it on the big stage against the Seattle Seahawks in the preseason opener with two highlight-reel touchdown catches.
There’s still work to be done for Brown if he wants to make the roster. He’s competing with Jonathan Mingo and seventh-round pick Anthony Smith for one or two spots. But the fact that Brown is in the conversation is impressive.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis (20) carries the ball during a training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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RB Malik Davis
Special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen described Davis in an apt way the other day. He called him a “fixer,” which makes sense, because he seemingly can take care of whatever business the Cowboys ask of him. Davis ended last season as the backup running back to Javonte Williams. And while all the pre-training camp hype was on second-year running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, it’s been Davis who’s consistently showed out. He had a team-high in rushing yards and yards per attempt against the Seahawks on Saturday.
Could Davis be the backup running back again to Williams? He’s certainly entered the conversation thanks to another good training camp performance.
Honorable mention
DT Otito Ogbonnia: Ogbonnia was a low-cost free agent signing that could end up playing a big role on the defensive line.
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DB Caleb Downs: Expectations were high for the rookie first-round pick. Maybe the highest for a rookie since Ezekiel Elliott. Downs looks the part.
OLB Rashan Gary: The newcomer is already one of the team’s most important leaders.
DC Christian Parker: Parker came with a lot of hype. The way the defense looked from an alignment, communication and disguise standpoint this offseason has warranted it.
The Joneses: They, too, deserve credit for a drama-free offseason. It was good on them to get Williams done and bring in veteran Von Miller.