The 2020 Dallas Cowboys training camp is scheduled to begin next month. Whether or not that actually happens is largely up in the air thanks to the ongoing global pandemic. However, until I am told otherwise, I will continue to assume that everything will start as scheduled. Dallas Cowboys training camp will be a lot different this year, and not just because of everything that is going on in the world right now but because there is a new coaching regime in town. At several positions, that will mean there will be no locks to make the team and no shoe-ins to start. Competition for playing time will be fiercer than it has been in recent years and many roster spots will be open for the taking. The following are the most intriguing battles to watch for the Dallas Cowboys training camp in 2020… when and if it actually happens.
CORNERBACK
The departure of number one cornerback Byron Jones left a huge hole for the Dallas Cowboys defensively. The team has chosen to address this in numbers rather than investing in a true number one cornerback. The team resigned Anthony Brown in free agency and brought in Maurice Canady and Daryl Worley to compete with current corners Jourdan Lewis, Chidobe Awuzie, and C.J Goodwin. They also drafted Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson II. Then there is also Chris Westry, a second year holdover from the practice squad. With no true number one corner on the roster, there should be equal opportunity for any one of these guys to step up in training camp and earn a starting job. For my money, I am banking on Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and rookie Trevon Diggs to become the starters. Although Anthony Brown is probably considered a favorite to win one of the starting spots and I imagine Daryl Worley will have a decent shot as well.
INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE
Tyron Smith and La’el Collins will be the starting tackles once again and Zack Martin will handle right guard duties but the rest of the starting spots on the offensive line are up for grabs. The Dallas Cowboys lost Travis Frederick to retirement this offseason and have not had a consistent presence at left guard since Ron Leary departed in free agency in 2017. Joe Looney filled in at center in 2018 after Frederick was diagnosed with Guillerme-Barre syndrome and the Cowboys also drafted Tyler Biadasz out of Wisconsin. Connor Williams has played fairly well at left guard when healthy and Connor McGovern, who was drafted in the third round last season, can play both guard and center. I expect Connor Williams to win the job at left guard and Joe Looney to be the starting center but this particular camp battle could really go either way.
DEFENSIVE END
Defensive end, specifically right defensive end, is the position that is by far the most intriguing and should provide the most heated competition for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys training camp. Robert Quinn signed with the Bears in free agency but the Cowboys have a ton of options here. DeMarcus Lawrence will look to have a bounce back season, at least with regards to sack totals, in 2020. Tyrone Crawford will return following an injury in 2019 despite many believing he would become a salary cap casualty in the offseason. Also returning from the previous season are Dorance Armstrong and Joe Jackson. The Cowboys drafted Bradlee Anae in the 5th round this year and he has a decent opportunity to make the team. Jalen Jelks is also in the mix from the practice squad and undrafted rookie free agent Rondell Carter. In addition to all those youngsters the Dallas Cowboys have the recently reinstated and former All-Pro Aldon Smith along with soon to be reinstated (in my humble opinion) Randy Gregory. There is no clear cut favorite here. The veteran Crawford is the safest choice to be the starter. Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory have the most natural ability but have been away from the game so long (especially Smith) that it would be hard to imagine they would contribute more than simply being rotational pass rushers. Of all the young players, Dorance Armstrong is my favorite to really step up under the new coaching staff but every single one of them has an equal shot to make an impact. Lawrence is a lock at left defensive end but I imagine that whichever of these players does make the squad there will be a true rotation at the right defensive end position with no clear cut starter. Aside from Lawrence I expect Crawford, Smith, Gregory, and Armstrong to make the team out of this group and potential one of the other young players, likely Anae or Carter.
The 2020 Dallas Cowboys training camp may or may not start next month but if and when it does, it promises to be the most competitive, entertaining, and exciting in many years. There are sure to be more than a few surprises but hopefully the increased competition breeds success in the regular season.
*Photo by Jeffrey Beall https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode