It’s time for Dallas Cowboys mandatory minicamp! And there are a few key storylines that standout. 

But first an equally mandatory disclaimer: Minicamp operates under the same rules as OTAs, meaning minimal contact and limited takeaways from the trenches because players aren’t in pads. The tangible information comes from who is getting first-team reps, who is getting second-team reps, and who is lining up where. Even that doesn’t guarantee a final depth chart come training camp or the regular season.

With all that being said, let’s break it down.

Does someone pull away in the Cowboys QB2 battle?

During OTAs, Joe Milton and Sam Howell split reps evenly, a 50/50 share according to Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer. In practices open to the media, Milton and Howell both quarterbacked the second-team offense. This looks like a true open competition.

Whether you have reason to bet on Milton holding onto the No. 2 job or you believe Howell was brought in for a reason and may be the favorite, minicamp could provide an early indication.

A final winner likely won’t emerge until training camp, but right now there is no clear front-runner behind Dak Prescott. Any separation in reps or performance this week would be meaningful.

Who is the Cowboys’ MIKE linebacker?

Last week in OTAs, DeMarvion Overshown talked openly about playing MIKE being his dream and how excited he was to finally get that opportunity. Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker had informed him after the draft that his vision was for Overshown to be the voice the defense hears before every play.

During practices open to the media, though, Overshown worked at both middle linebacker and weakside linebacker. Dallas is also training multiple players at MIKE and having several guys wear the green dot, the helmet designation that allows direct communication with the coaching staff during games.

That is to say, things remains unclear.

Overshown may indeed be a serious candidate (if not the favorite), but OTAs didn’t provide enough clarity. Does minicamp change that? Does Overshown take a larger share of first-team reps at MIKE? Does someone else emerge?

How much does George Pickens actually do?

When Schottenheimer confirmed the team expected Pickens to attend minicamp, he was clear: they aren’t going to force it. They trust that Pickens has been working out and getting ready, but they haven’t seen him up close. This will be the first time Pickens is in the facility for practice.

I wouldn’t bet on Pickens doing a lot. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t take the field at all. One of the most important aspects of minicamp is what happens behind closed doors: installs, team meetings, learning the playbook, and showing up to training camp ready to go.

If Pickens doesn’t take the field, I wouldn’t read it as a negative sign. But if he does, that would be a promising indicator. It would mean the Cowboys feel comfortable with the work he put in before reporting to Dallas, and that would be encouraging news for an offense gearing up for another big year from its star wide receiver.