3 Cowboys' positions we already feel much better about before preseason even starts
The Dallas Cowboys' preseason starts this week as training camp is set to heat up with joint practices in the horizon with the Los Angeles Rams. We're only a handful of padded practices into camp but there's already so much we've learned about the team. That includes both negative and positive takeaways. Today, we'll stick with the […]
The Dallas Cowboys' preseason starts this week as training camp is set to heat up with joint practices in the horizon with the Los Angeles Rams.
We're only a handful of padded practices into camp but there's already so much we've learned about the team. That includes both negative and positive takeaways.
Today, we'll stick with the good news. Here are three position groups that we already feel better about heading into the preseason.
1. Linebacker
The Cowboys seem to have a very different linebacker room entering the 2024 NFL season. First of all, they've got depth, unlike last year when the coaching staff literally had to ask safety Markquese Bell to switch positions to play LB, which he went on to do for the entirety of the season.
Now, the Cowboys will likely start Eric Kendricks and Damone Clark. And behind them will be DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau, and Willie Harvey, all linebackers that are doing pretty well in training camp so far, to the point where the coaches will have a difficult task spreading the snaps around because all are deserving of being on the field. Oh, and Micah Parsons is getting a lot of off-ball linebacker work.
Mike Zimmer is making sure to use them creatively, too. It seems like every linebacker is blitzing here and there, something that was a rarity on Dan Quinn's scheme. If every LB is a pass rush threat, Parsons' usage will be much more difficult to predict.
2. Cornerback
Even with no Stephon Gilmore, the Cowboys were already in a good spot as far as their starting three at cornerback goes. With Trevon Diggs set to rejoin fellow first-team All-Pro DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis back at nickel since last year, what else could they ask for?
But depth, on the other hand, was a legit concern as the Cowboys have little experience on the bench. It's easy to already feel better about it thanks to fifth-round rookie Caelen Carson. The former Wake Forest cornerback has shined in practice thanks to his sticky coverage and physicality when attacking the football.
Add to that the fact that Bland is balling out in camp and the Cowboys have a special defensive back group on their hands. As long as Diggs is fully healthy by the time the season starts, expect them to be one of the best positions on the team.
3. Left tackle
Tyler Guyton has missed back-top-back practices with an illness but it took the Cowboys rookie one padded practice to make everyone feel better about the left tackle spot.
Sure, he'll inevitably hit speedbumps in his first year in the NFL but the fact that he wasn't dominated by Micah Parsons speaks volumes about Guyton's development from the day he was drafted until today.
His work with Duke Manyweather makes him a very viable option for the Cowboys starting in Week 1. He'll likely be beaten by the top edge rushers he's slated to face but Guyton is already looking like someone who won't cost you ballgames on Sundays.
