The Dallas Cowboys report to training camp in Oxnard, California, on July 28, and the pre-camp buzz has centered on starting battles at cornerback, edge rusher, and beyond. Those are important, no question. 

But the backup competitions deserve attention, too. Dallas needs its depth chart sorted out across several positions if it wants to survive a 17-game regular season. The NFL is the ultimate “next man up” league, and the Cowboys have legitimate questions at several backup spots. With camp around the corner, it’s the perfect time to break it down.

Who’s the Cowboys backup center?

The Cowboys lost Brock Hoffman in free agency and chose to use the second-round tender on guard TJ Bass instead. That decision surprised some, but the front office apparently views Bass as the better backup guard option. Could Bass slide to center in a pinch? Dallas did ask him to practice snaps during the 2025 season, though the extent of that work remains unclear.

I don’t think the Cowboys want Bass filling in for Cooper Beebe should Beebe go down. Trevor Keegan is another name to watch, but he struggled with snapping duties during his time in Philadelphia. Then there’s Chris Glaser, who comes from the UFL and had a brief stint on the Cowboys’ practice squad a few years ago. Glaser has more experience at center than the other candidates, which could give him an edge.

The bottom line: Dallas doesn’t appear to know who its backup center is right now. That will change once the pads come on and the offensive line rotation takes shape.

The safety depth battle is wide open

I had PJ Locke penciled in as a roster lock at safety, and Cowboys insider Mike Fisher of CowboysRoundtable.com contested that assessment. Honestly, it’s a fair pushback. Locke signed on an inexpensive deal, so the financial commitment isn’t forcing the team’s hand. He knows defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme and has special teams experience, both of which matter. But counting out the competition would be a mistake.

Markquese Bell has spent multiple years as an important piece of the Cowboys’ special teams unit. And Alijah Clark, the highest-paid undrafted free agent in the 2025 Cowboys class, earned more and more special teams reps as last season progressed. It only makes sense for him to compete for a bigger role.

With Jalen Thompson and Malik Hooker expected to start (and Caleb Downs projected for the nickel spot early on), the backup safety job is genuinely up for grabs.

Linebacker depth carries real intrigue

Assuming DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters start (and assuming the Cowboys don’t sign a free agent like Bobby Wagner), the backup linebacker competition gets fascinating. Third-round rookie Jaishawn Barham was drafted as an inside linebacker, but does he get the nod over Curtis Robinson, a lesser-known veteran with more NFL experience?

And then there’s Shemar James. The second-year linebacker led the Cowboys in tackles last season. He wasn’t great, but that’s a fair expectation for a fifth-round rookie who was thrown into extended action at middle linebacker because of lackluster play from the likes of Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray. James’ experience playing meaningful snaps last year could give him an advantage in this race.

Who backs up Javonte Williams?

The only two roster locks at running back entering camp appear to be Javonte Williams and Hunter Luepke, who will handle the fullback role. After that, it’s anyone’s guess.

Can Jaydon Blue deliver on the field after off-the-field issues made him a healthy scratch for the majority of his rookie year? He’s favored by the fans to become RB2 and appears to be a large part of the Cowboys plans. But he has to prove it. 

Does Phil Mafah, who more closely resembles Williams’ playstyle, earn the job? Or does Malik Davis, who ended up as the No. 2 running back late in 2025 and contributed on special teams, hold onto that role?

If you ask me, I wouldn’t rule out the Cowboys signing a free agent running back if they don’t like what they see once camp gets rolling. This position group feels like it needs a jolt.

These four backup battles won’t generate the same headlines as the starting competitions at cornerback and edge rusher. But they could determine how well Dallas handles the inevitable injuries and attrition of a long season. For now, we wait for pads to come on in Oxnard.