Training camp is a time when teams come together, gel as one, and try to find the right combination of players to field the best team possible. In the quest to find the best 53 men, some players fall to the pack while some rise to the occasion. Such is the case for five Dallas Cowboys who have found a way to stand out among their peers.
5 Standouts at Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
The Cowboys have made it clear that heading into 2024, they are going to be leaning on the youth on their roster. With such an emphasis on new and young players taking a step, the early returns for some of these players have been encouraging thus far in camp.
Of the five players who have stood out the most, three are young players, one is a new addition, and one is the leader of the entire team. This sets up what looks to be a good mix of standouts through the first two weeks of practice.
DeMarvion Overshown
DeMarvion Overshown was robbed of his rookie season due to a torn ACL, but now that he is back in action, he looks to be picking up where he left off last preseason. The young former Texas Longhorn looked to be a tackling machine last training camp, with a rare combination of size, speed, and instincts.
Overshown has been working with the starters thus far in camp, alongside veterans Eric Kendricks and Damone Clark. He has shown the ability to read and react quickly as he processes what is in front of him, well.
The Cowboys are counting on him to be a key piece in the middle of their defense, and those around the team feel good about that plan right now. While it takes time to be completely back following a serious injury, all indications are that he has hit the ground running this year and looks as good, if not better, this time around.
Tyron Billy-Johnson
With so many eyes on the WR3 battle ongoing, a name that didn’t receive much attention heading into training camp was wide receiver Tyron Billy-Johnson. Now that we are two weeks into camp and Billy-Johnson has hit the ground running, that is no longer the case.
The veteran wide receiver has been a true standout in camp thus far, with his crisp route running, tough contested catches, and ability to be a reliable target for Dak Prescott and the other quarterbacks. While the play is being noticed by fans and media alike, the right people, like offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, are noticing as well.
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“He’s having a great camp,” Schottenheimer told the media on Thursday.
“I was with T Billy in Jacksonville, [Fla.,]. The No. 1 thing that jumps off the field is the speed, man. This man can freakin’ fly … but he’s becoming a hell of a route runner.”
Cooper Rush dime TD to Tyron Billy-Johnson, who continues to make plays. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/eXvpgYGylZ
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) July 28, 2024
There are still plenty of practices and three preseason games to go, but the early indication is that this wide receiver who was relatively obscure walking into camp is now someone who is demanding attention.
Dak Prescott
Most of the guys mentioned on this list are players fighting for jobs. While Prescott isn’t doing that, as his job is secure, he is still fighting for his respect around the league. All indications out of Oxnard, Calif., is that Prescott has been dialed in, making plays, and looking like a man who is completely comfortable in Year 2 of an offense that garnered him MVP votes last season.
Even with CeeDee Lamb still holding out in training camp, Prescott has been reportedly spreading the ball around to various wide receivers. He has been building rapport and trust with Jalen Tolbert, Brandin Cooks, and others as they await Lamb’s arrival.
Prescott may be in an awkward situation as he awaits a new deal that may or may not come before this season, but it hasn’t stopped him from showing up and showing out as the leader of the Cowboys.
Jalen Tolbert
Heading into training camp, there may not have been a player with more on the line this preseason than Jalen Tolbert. With many believing he is in pole position for the WR3 spot, he enters his third season in a virtual make-or-break scenario.
However, with his back against the wall and the team counting on him, all indications are that he has come into camp determined and answered the bell glowingly thus far.
Jalen Tolbert SNAG
Early play of the day candidate here in the red zone#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/6P9P1iScA3
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) July 25, 2024
Not only does Tolbert need to step up for his career, but when the Cowboys talk about leaning on their youth this season, Tolbert is one of the first names mentioned. All indications appear to point to Tolbert doing so through two weeks of camp, and as a result, he has looked like one of the team’s five biggest standouts thus far.
Royce Freeman
The Cowboys’ running back room is still a massive question mark. With Ezekiel Elliott looking to be the lead dog in a group that looks primed to be run as a committee, Royce Freeman has become a name we shouldn’t forget, either.
The veteran ball carrier has been used sparingly in his NFL career and came to Dallas with little fanfare this offseason. However, through the first parts of camp, head coach Mike McCarthy and others have begun to praise Freeman.
“He does everything well,” McCarthy started. “He’s got very good hands, has a very high understanding of the game, and also has a chance to be one of our primary players on special teams. So, he’s a really good fit for us.”
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The work in practice has matched McCarthy’s words. Freeman has been reportedly doing well in team periods as a blocker, showing a good burst between the tackles and the ability to hit the hole and burst with quickness.
It may not be flashy or top-tier, but the Cowboys believe they have something in Freeman. If that is the case, maybe the Cowboys’ running back room won’t be nearly as inept as some have thought it would be.