Some notes of the biggest takeaways from the first couple of practices from Dallas Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, California, including multiple notes on the RB room. <\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJun 16, 2026; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChris Jones-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
The Dallas Cowboys are two practices into their 2026 training camp in Oxnard, California, and the running back room is generating buzz.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From Javonte Williams\u2019 work in the screen game to Jaydon Blue stacking strong days, the Cowboys offense looks like it could have another dimension this season. Defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia is also earning reps with the starters, and the cornerback competition is shaping up to be one of the trickiest evaluations of camp.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s break it down.<\/p>\n
Javonte Williams as a pass catcher changes things<\/p>\n
There has been a clear focus by the Cowboys in these first couple of practices to develop the screen game, and that could be huge for the offense.<\/p>\n
Granted, screens can get predictable if you go about them the wrong way. Cowboys fans, media, and content creators know that all too well from years past. However, it has been a long time since running backs posed a legitimate threat in Dallas\u2019 passing game, and that might change in 2026.<\/p>\n
The Cowboys are trying to get Williams more involved as a receiver. One play stood out from Thursday\u2019s practice: Dak Prescott found Williams on a screen, and safety Caleb Downs came crashing down as a blitzer. The full view wasn\u2019t available, but it looked like Downs was caught off guard by the play.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the thing about Williams as a pass catcher: if he can contribute in the receiving game, the value you\u2019re getting out of him goes up a notch. Last season, as good as Williams was running the ball, he was a non-factor through the air. Out of 51 running backs with minimum targets, Williams ranked dead last in EPA per target<\/a> and dead last in yards per route run. His success rate came in 48th out of 51. He was essentially a checkdown catcher who gave you a completion but no damage after the catch.<\/p>\n If the Cowboys can figure that out, it adds another dimension to the offense. It also keeps Dallas from becoming predictable whenever Jaydon Blue enters the game, because the early speculation is that Blue\u2019s reps will lean heavily toward the passing game given his speed and acceleration in open space.<\/p>\n Jaydon Blue is stacking good days<\/p>\n Speaking of, Blue is off to a strong start. On Wednesday\u2019s opening practice, he ripped off what appeared to be a 40- to 50-yard gain on an outside zone run. It was all speed. Without pads, many of these runs would likely translate to five-yard gains in a real game, but this looked like a true breakout run. Multiple reporters with boots on the ground confirmed the play would have stood up even in a padded, live-contact setting.<\/p>\n After that practice, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer named Blue one of the standouts<\/a>, which immediately got people talking. The key now is stacking good days. Consistency was the magic word Schottenheimer used throughout 2025 when explaining why Blue wasn\u2019t active on game days. Consistency, consistency, consistency.<\/p>\n If Blue had gone out Thursday and fumbled twice with no big gains, we\u2019d all be pumping the brakes. Instead, he went out and had another strong day. Rashan Gary appeared to get a hand on him during one run, but it did not look like he had the tackle in a live-contact situation. From there, Blue juked a defender at the second level and picked up another chunk gain. It wouldn\u2019t have been a touchdown, but the trend line matters.<\/p>\n Otito Ogbonnia earning starting reps<\/p>\n One name worth mentioning on the defensive side is defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia, one of Dallas\u2019 free agent signings. I had him as one of my 38 roster locks on the Cowboys, which may have been the boldest pick on the list because we know so little about him, and his contract doesn\u2019t guarantee a roster spot.<\/p>\n
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