3 biggest winners from Dallas Cowboys OTAs including veteran that's getting close to saving his job
With the Dallas Cowboys looking forward to mandatory minicamp next week, it's time to recap what we learned about during OTAs. The truth is: Not much. Without live contact involved in practice and few to no clips of plays allowed to be released by the media, it is what it is. However, we can take away […]
With the Dallas Cowboys looking forward to mandatory minicamp next week, it's time to recap what we learned about during OTAs. The truth is: Not much.
Without live contact involved in practice and few to no clips of plays allowed to be released by the media, it is what it is. However, we can take away some insights based on players' and coaches' comments as well as reported rep distribution.
Below are the three biggest winners from Cowboys OTAs.
LB Damone Clark
This is an easy one. Clark's path with the Cowboys has had its ups (17 starts in 2023!) and downs (benched one year later!). When Mike Zimmer became defensive coordinator of the team, Clark's role with the team quickly declined. Now, it seems like things are going better than expected under Matt Eberflus.
"I think the connection that he has with (defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus), (LB coach Dave Borgonzi)—I think that's important," Schottenheimer told reporters about Clark. "I know most guys are that way, but I think Damone, he's such a pleaser, he wants to do things the right way. That relationship that he's developed with Dave Borganzi is incredible.
Under Eberflus' one-gap style defense, Clark likely has less to worry about than he did on Zimmer's. It sounds like he's a likely 53-man roster player despite the limited participation last year that made it seem like he was on his way out.
QB Joe Milton
Though Milton made mistakes throughout OTAs to accompany his highlight plays, it became clear he's the clear-cut No. 2 behind Dak Prescott and in front of Will Grier.
While that might be expected due to the front office's trade to get him, it's not something Trey Lance could brag about last year when Cooper Rush was in front of him in the depth chart.
Milton has a long way to go but he stands out as a winner from OTAs as it appears it's his job to lose.
WR George Pickens
We all knew about Pickens' freakish athleticism and that isn't changing anytime soon. Where his stock is moving is in terms of attitude and work ethic. During OTAs, the wide receiver was praised by Brian Schottenheimer for his engagement in the meeting room.
Upon dropping a pass, CeeDee Lamb dropped down to do pushups at one point in practice. Pickens dropped down to follow suit even though it wasn't his drop.
Pickens needs to keep it up all season but he's off to a good start.