The Dallas Cowboys are two practices into their 2026 training camp in Oxnard, California, and the running back room is generating buzz. 

From Javonte Williams’ work in the screen game to Jaydon Blue stacking strong days, the Cowboys offense looks like it could have another dimension this season. Defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia is also earning reps with the starters, and the cornerback competition is shaping up to be one of the trickiest evaluations of camp.

Let’s break it down.

Javonte Williams as a pass catcher changes things

There has been a clear focus by the Cowboys in these first couple of practices to develop the screen game, and that could be huge for the offense.

Granted, screens can get predictable if you go about them the wrong way. Cowboys fans, media, and content creators know that all too well from years past. However, it has been a long time since running backs posed a legitimate threat in Dallas’ passing game, and that might change in 2026.

The Cowboys are trying to get Williams more involved as a receiver. One play stood out from Thursday’s practice: Dak Prescott found Williams on a screen, and safety Caleb Downs came crashing down as a blitzer. The full view wasn’t available, but it looked like Downs was caught off guard by the play.

Here’s the thing about Williams as a pass catcher: if he can contribute in the receiving game, the value you’re getting out of him goes up a notch. Last season, as good as Williams was running the ball, he was a non-factor through the air. Out of 51 running backs with minimum targets, Williams ranked dead last in EPA per target and dead last in yards per route run. His success rate came in 48th out of 51. He was essentially a checkdown catcher who gave you a completion but no damage after the catch.

If the Cowboys can figure that out, it adds another dimension to the offense. It also keeps Dallas from becoming predictable whenever Jaydon Blue enters the game, because the early speculation is that Blue’s reps will lean heavily toward the passing game given his speed and acceleration in open space.

Jaydon Blue is stacking good days

Speaking of, Blue is off to a strong start. On Wednesday’s opening practice, he ripped off what appeared to be a 40- to 50-yard gain on an outside zone run. It was all speed. Without pads, many of these runs would likely translate to five-yard gains in a real game, but this looked like a true breakout run. Multiple reporters with boots on the ground confirmed the play would have stood up even in a padded, live-contact setting.

After that practice, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer named Blue one of the standouts, which immediately got people talking. The key now is stacking good days. Consistency was the magic word Schottenheimer used throughout 2025 when explaining why Blue wasn’t active on game days. Consistency, consistency, consistency.

If Blue had gone out Thursday and fumbled twice with no big gains, we’d all be pumping the brakes. Instead, he went out and had another strong day. Rashan Gary appeared to get a hand on him during one run, but it did not look like he had the tackle in a live-contact situation. From there, Blue juked a defender at the second level and picked up another chunk gain. It wouldn’t have been a touchdown, but the trend line matters.

Otito Ogbonnia earning starting reps

One name worth mentioning on the defensive side is defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia, one of Dallas’ free agent signings. I had him as one of my 38 roster locks on the Cowboys, which may have been the boldest pick on the list because we know so little about him, and his contract doesn’t guarantee a roster spot.

According to Joseph Hoyt, when the Cowboys opened practice in a base defense, they lined up three interior defensive linemen: Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams (no surprise), and Ogbonnia, flanked by a couple of outside linebackers. The formation acts like a 3-4 defense with a five-man front, where one player likely drops into coverage to catch quarterbacks off guard.

Hoyt noted Ogbonnia has been a consistent part of the rotation. His calling card is versatility. He can line up anywhere on the defensive line, and while he won’t light up the stat sheet, he’s going to eat up space and play gap-and-a-half football. That’s what the Cowboys want from him: plug the run and let the playmakers around him operate.

Evaluating the cornerbacks is going to be tough

DaRon Bland had a pass breakup against Brevyn Spann-Ford, the projected No. 2 tight end, and that was exciting to see. It gets you thinking about how high the ceiling for this defense can go if Bland returns to his pre-injury Pro Bowl form.

But from there, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb dominated cornerbacks on several reps, and Prescott was sharp on Thursday. My overall feeling is that evaluating Bland, Cobie Durant, and Shavon Revel Jr. is going to be incredibly difficult when they’re lining up against Prescott, Lamb, and Pickens. You’re talking about one of the top receiving duos in the entire NFL.

When you see Revel, Bland, or any of the Cowboys corners giving up receptions in camp, I’d ask for some patience. This isn’t an excuse but rather a reason. If we treat Lamb and Pickens as monster receivers against the rest of the league, then let’s be fair: they’re monster receivers against their own defenders, too.

One more bonus note before we wrap: how about kicker Brandon Aubrey going 5-for-5? Some things never change.