Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer yells to wide receiver George Pickens (3) who ran a pass route during training camp practice in Oxnard, California, August 12, 2025.
Tom Fox/Staff Photographer
Training camp is upon us. And while we will certainly learn a lot when it comes to the 2026 Dallas Cowboys over the next month, where’s the fun in waiting? For those impatient folks, here are 20 predictions for what will happen in Oxnard, Calif.
No. 1: No drama? Actually?
For the first time in a long time, yes. It appears that the Cowboys are on their way for a drama-free training camp, at least from a contract standpoint. Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has said that he plans to go to training camp and participate, despite being limited to a one-year deal due to the franchise tag. That appears to be the best avenue for all parties. Pickens had a breakout season last year with the Cowboys. If he does that for a second year in a row, his market will surely grow. Then the Cowboys can decide if they want to commit long term to the very talented wide receiver.
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My prediction: Everything will be kumbaya. Then next year the drama can resume.
No. 2: The matchup to watch
When was the last time the Cowboys had a rookie with higher expectations than first-round pick Caleb Downs? And let’s be clear about something: those expectations aren’t only from those outside the Cowboys facility. The expectations are coming from inside the house, too. Downs has been successful at every stage of his career. There’s hope the rookie from Ohio State can continue that with the Cowboys. A good litmus test will be how he fares covering star receiver CeeDee Lamb (and Pickens) on a daily basis. The two should go up against each other in the slot often during training camp.
My prediction: Downs more than holds his own.
No. 3: Cobie Durant secures a starting spot
The Cowboys were worst in the NFL last season when it came to pass breakups. They were second worst in the NFL with six interceptions, beating only the Jets, who had none. Durant, on the other hand, has had a lot of success getting his hand on the ball during his career. He has seven interceptions and 26 pass breakups in four seasons. He continued that success in OTAs and minicamp, grabbing multiple interceptions and making plays on the ball. The battle for the starting corner spots will be interesting.
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My prediction: Durant is the first to secure a starting spot.
No. 4: Parker’s defense gives Schottenheimer’s offense problems
Speaking of which: Durant wasn’t the only one making plays during OTAs and minicamp. The entire defense looked vastly better than it did a year ago. Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy said that they got used to having a lot of success against the Cowboys’ defense in practice last season. The first minicamp and OTAs against new defensive coordinator Christian Parker were a lot different.
My prediction: That stingy defense in practice continues in training camp.
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) carries the ball during an Organized Team Activity drill at The Star in Frisco, Texas, June 4, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
No. 5: Nothing to see here
Funny enough, there was a point where some of us on the outside wondered if Miles Sanders would be the starting running back for the Cowboys last season. That’s because we didn’t see much of Javonte Williams. We all know how that went. Williams had a resurgence and set a career high in rushing, eclipsing the 1,200-yard mark for the first time in his career. The Cowboys then rewarded him with a three-year extension.
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My prediction: We won’t see much of Williams during this training camp either.
No. 6: More than words
The lack of Williams opens the door for more carries for a few running backs, including second-year running back Jaydon Blue. The Cowboys were upfront with Blue at the end of last season about why he alternated from active to inactive. They wanted to see more from him as a professional. Blue took that criticism to heart and impressed the coaching staff this offseason. Coach Brian Schottenheimer even said nothing would make the offensive coaching staff happier than if Blue could be the player they hoped he would be.
My prediction: Blue continues his newfound professionalism and impresses.
No. 7: On his heels?
To Luke Schoonmaker’s credit, he’s been very aware of the importance of this season. It’s a contract year for him. After three seasons, the Cowboys are still waiting to see more. Schoonmaker says he’s healthy and ready to do just that. I think there’s a good chance he can. I also think there’s a good chance two rookies could be on his heels for a roster spot. Tight ends Michael Trigg and D.J. Rogers both had draftable grades but went undrafted. The Cowboys then gave them the highest signing bonuses among undrafted free agents. That’s usually a sign that the Cowboys would like to keep them on the roster.
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My prediction: It’ll be a close call down the stretch for that third tight end spot.
No. 8: Another tough call
If the Cowboys were on “Hard Knocks” and I was a producer, I’d make running back Malik Davis a key subject. Davis originally made the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He spent time on the roster and practice squad for the next three years. Then, after the 2024 season, the Cowboys said goodbye to him — only to welcome him back in the middle of training camp last year when they needed a running back. Davis not only earned a spot on the team’s practice squad, but he earned their respect with how he worked. He eventually became the team’s backup running back and even had the first 100-yard game of his career.
My prediction: The Cowboys want to see their two second-year running backs take the next step, but I think Davis’ special teams ability, and the respect he earned last year, will make it tough to say goodbye again.
No. 9: A better showing
If you wanted to see the gap between the Cowboys and the NFC’s best last year, the joint practice against the Rams was a tell-tale sign. The Rams dominated that matchup — especially against a Cowboys defense that proved to be the worst in the NFL. The Cowboys have joint practices against the Rams and Saints this year.
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My prediction: I think the litmus test will look better for Dallas this time around.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett pose for a photo during a press conference following the NFL football team’s practice, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
Kyusung Gong/AP Photo/Kyusung Gong
No. 10: Except in one area
While I do think the Cowboys will play well in the joint practices, I also think they’ll struggle in one area. Or, more accurately, against one individual. Myles Garrett joined the Rams this offseason. There were fans in Dallas that hoped the Cowboys would take a big swing and trade for the Arlington native, but it was the Rams who ultimately made the blockbuster move.
My prediction: Garrett will thrive against the Cowboys and remind them what an elite pass rusher looks like.
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No. 11: Help on the way?
Garrett’s predicted performance won’t be the only reason for this, but I think there will be a moment where the Cowboys look at their pass rush group and decide they could use a little more ammunition. I don’t think that will be a huge trade for a guy like Maxx Crosby (sorry Cowboys fans), but …
My prediction: The Cowboys add a veteran pass rusher before the end of training camp.
No. 12: Speed training
That doesn’t mean the current edge rusher group doesn’t have talent. Take rookie first-round pick Malachi Lawrence for example. The Cowboys have high hopes for one of the fastest pass rushers in the draft. They also think there’s another gear Lawrence can tap into if he makes his first step more consistent and more in line with the type of speed he possesses.
My prediction: Lawrence takes that step and shows off his speed in training camp.
No. 13: Under the radar signing
We know Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark will lead the defensive line this coming season, but who could be the player with the third-most snaps? How about Otito Ogbonnia? The former Chargers defensive tackle will have some competition for that spot, but he’s someone who could take it.
My prediction: Ogbonnia proves to be one of the more under-the-radar signings the Cowboys made.
No. 14: All love?
Schottenheimer wanted his players to compete last season. At times, they competed too much. There were multiple skirmishes on multiple different days during training camp. One fight in particular prompted Schottenheimer to throw a player out of practice and have the entire team run like a scene from a sports movie.
My prediction: This year there will be less fights. And if they do fight, Schottenheimer will be more strict.
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) steps through the pads as he leads the teammates during Organized Team Activities at The Star in Frisco, Texas, June 4, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
No. 15: That time of the year
The Cowboys have made it a habit of doing extensions with players during training camp. Jake Ferguson signed an extension in camp last year, for example.
My prediction: I say they come to an extension agreement with one player during training camp. Could it be Quinnen Williams?
No. 16: Who wins the LT spot?
The Cowboys have been looking for a consistent left tackle for a few years now. That even dates to the tail end of Tyron Smith’s career when he dealt with injuries. Frankly, the most consistent left tackle they’ve had is playing left guard for them and doing so on a Hall of Fame trajectory, the Cowboys believe. That’s what makes the performance of former first-round pick Tyler Guyton so interesting in camp. The Cowboys say they’ll have a battle between Guyton and others for that role.
My prediction: Guyton cements his starting left tackle spot (and keeps it this season).
No. 17: A new backup sheriff in town
The Cowboys really like Joe Milton III’s talent. They also hope to have more consistency from their backup quarterback in case Dak Prescott goes down. That’s why they brought in some more competition for Milton in former Washington starting quarterback Sam Howell. That’s one of the key battles to watch in camp.
My prediction: Howell wins the backup job.
No. 18: Picking up where he left off?
Traeshon Holden played well last training camp. He did well enough to earn a practice squad spot, which he kept all season. That means Holden should have a leg up on some other receivers in the competition for the back end of the roster. If he can pick up where he left off last camp, he could win a job.
My prediction: Holden makes the team.
No. 19: The biggest question mark
The Cowboys believe they could have one of the best offenses in the NFL. For that to happen, Prescott needs to stay healthy.
My prediction: Prescott stays healthy for all of camp.
Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones responds to questions from the media during the 2025 Oxnard Training Camp opening press conference in Oxnard, California, July 21, 2025.
Tom Fox/Staff Photographer
No. 20: No drama, but …
My prediction: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones goes viral for at least one quote during the team’s state of the union opening news conference on Tuesday.