With OTA's coming to an end, the only business left before Training Camp is next week's mandatory 3-day mini-camp. After that, the countdown to Oxnard begins. Because the Cowboys are playing in the Hall of Fame Game on August 3rd against the Arizona Cardinals in Canton, they are allowed to start training camp on July 18th.
So the Cowboys training camp will start on the 18th for the rookies at The Star in Frisco, Texas and the whole team will report together to Oxnard, California on July 22nd. The coaches and staff want to give the rookies as much time to catch up and get integrated into the system as fast as possible and every extra day helps.
Also, they don't want to drag training camp out longer than need be for the veterans.
With training camp finally on the horizon, there are a lot of interesting roster battles and particular players to watch out for.
Butler on the bubble?
When WR Brice Butler inked his new deal with the Cowboys, he was hoping for the serious chance to start at wide receiver in the 2017 season. Not that it isn't a possibility but he will have good competition for the job. After Butler signed his deal, Terrence Williams took a pay cut in order to keep a star on the side of his helmet. Next, in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cowboys selected both Ryan Switzer and Noah Brown. Switzer has already made an awesome first impression throughout OTA's on offense and special teams.
Once you add Dez Bryant into that mix, it makes for some seriously steep competition for Butler.
LB John Lotulelei
Lotulelei quietly signed his deal at the end of the 2016 season. Though a quiet acquisition at linebacker, he showed real spunk in OTA's. He always seemed to be around the ball somewhere. He was also able to get some 2nd team snap with the defense due to Jaylon Smith's continued rehab and Mark Nzeocha coming back from knee surgery.
He could definitely be in the hunt for a roster spot come training camp.
Keeping options open at safety
The Cowboys lost multiple veteran secondary players to free agency this offseason but they have enough talent around to compete to fill the spots. The Cowboys brought in two veteran safeties to work out in Jeron Johnson and Duke Williams.
Also this offseason, they signed Robert Blanton and drafted Xavier Woods in the sixth round of the 2017 Draft. Lastly, Saftey Kavon Frazier is coming off of foot surgery. There will be more than enough talent running around the field to fill whatever holes may have been left.
There are a lot of uncertainties surrounding the Cowboys. Can Zeke do it again? Will Prescott feel the wrath of the sophomore slump? What about Jaylon Smith's knee? With all the questions and unknowns, the confidence this team exudes is real and they will be a force to be reckoned with.
