As football activities ramp up, it’s time to start pinpointing our favorites for training camp. While we want all players on the Dallas Cowboys to succeed, it’s natural to gravitate towards certain players and hop on the hype train.
Interest in a player can stem from various reasons. It could be a draft prospect we’ve championed, a player from our alma mater, or simply someone we admire.
One often-overlooked factor in our preferences is low-cost player control. When deciding which players to root for, it’s beneficial for the Cowboys if they have several years remaining on their contract, ideally at lower costs. This perspective can guide us in understanding roster battles.
Which emerging WR3 would benefit the Cowboys most?
Having star receivers like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens alleviates pressure on others who might have previously been seen as potential WR2 candidates. Now, we just need one more player to step up as the team’s third wide receiving option, and the options are plentiful.
KaVontae Turpin
Turpin stands out because he signed a three-year extension this offseason, keeping him around until 2027. While last year’s sixth-round pick, Ryan Flournoy, also has three years left, Turpin is the better option due to his All-Pro returner status.
Fans of Jalen Tolbert may wish for his success, but his upcoming free agency makes him less favorable. Parris Campbell, with only a one-year deal, is similarly disadvantaged. Jonathan Mingo and Jalen Brooks have two years left on their rookie contracts, making their emergence beneficial, but not as much as Turpin or Flournoy. Remember, undrafted free agents come with up to four years of player control, making any rookie—drafted or not—more desirable if they break out.
Who should be our favorite young edge rusher?
Dante Fowler will lead the edge-rushing efforts alongside Micah Parsons, but several players will rotate to strengthen the Cowboys’ pass rush. Talented young players like Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, and Donovan Ezeiruaku have generated excitement since their selection. Among these, which player would provide the most benefit if they excel?
Donovan Ezeiruaku
While we’ve highlighted him earlier, any rookie offers the team four years of player control. Williams is worth watching as he returns from a knee injury, but he has only one year left on his deal. Payton Turner, a former first-rounder, is likewise a one-year option. Kneeland, being early in his career, is a solid second choice in this discussion.
Which tight end should we support?
The Cowboys delayed finding Dalton Schultz’s replacement, ultimately using the franchise tag on him in 2023. However, they found success with fourth-round rookie Jake Ferguson, enabling them to move on from Schultz. Now, Ferguson is in the final year of his rookie deal.
The Cowboys added Luke Schoonmaker shortly after Ferguson, which could have been timed better. Although Schoonmaker’s development has been gradual, should he improve, he’d only likely be the primary tight end for one season before Ferguson potentially leaves in free agency. So, who is the best candidate to rise as a key tight end?
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Spann-Ford, who went undrafted last year, saw 305 offensive snaps. He could serve as a valuable asset for new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, known for his use of multiple tight ends in blocking schemes. With three years of player control, Spann-Ford has a promising future. While this year’s undrafted free agents, like Rivaldo Fairweather or Tyler Neville, may offer potential, it’s more realistic to expect the year-two leap from a UDFA for immediate results.
