- Dallas Cowboys Preseason
3 biggest surprises so far at training camp
Who would you say has been the biggest surprise of camp so far?
Three <a href="https://learnearningfun.com/first-team-snap-counts-on-second-day-of-practice-and-what-they-might-mean/” title=”First-team snap counts on second day of practice and what they might mean”>practices are in the books for the Dallas Cowboys out in Oxnard at training camp. They haven’t put the pads on yet, but things did pick up a bit on Saturday as far as the intensity and plays being made. Guys are flying around and settling into camp nicely, and that will only ramp up in the next few weeks.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is looking sharp, and his connections with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are cooking. Rookie safety Caleb Downs has been all over the field, and Cobie Durant looks fantastic. Those things were expected to happen once the Cowboys hit camp, but there are some other things that have happened that weren’t on the menu.
Here are three surprises so far out in Oxnard.
Cowboys linked to trade for All-Pro LB Jordyn Brooks
The Cowboys selected Jaishawn Barham in the third round, and he’s been flashing so far at camp. Plus, they added Dee Winters during the offseason. They will battle it out at middle linebacker, but Dallas could be interested in another. According to Bryan Broaddus, the Cowboys might be looking at trading for All-Pro middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks of the Miami Dolphins.
This is shocking because Miami signed Brooks to a three-year extension worth $51.3 million with $35 million guaranteed recently. However, the idea isn’t as wild as some would think. His base salary over the first three years of his deal up to a little over $27 million which isn’t a lot at all. The cap hit for Brooks in 2026 if he was traded would be $6.16 million, which is minimal as well. Plus, the Dolphins would only take on $4.95 million in dead money if they dealt him. This makes the trade extremely doable.
It’s probably a longshot, and a guy like veteran Bobby Wagner is more realistic. With that said, it’s something to monitor.
Tyler Guyton gets snaps at right tackle
It’s no secret that Guyton is entering the most important season of his short career. He’s trying to prove that he’s the guy at left tackle, and that he was worth a first-round pick in 2024. An interesting development did come about in regards to Guyton at practice on Saturday. He took snaps with the second team at right tackle.
In college at Oklahoma, Guyton logged over 1,000 snaps at right tackle, so he’s very family with playing the position. Guyton himself has said that being on the left feels more natural to him, which brings up the question of what is the reason for this experiment? The Cowboys did draft left tackle Drew Shelton in the fourth round, and Nate Thomas is also included in the competition at that spot.
Terence Steele has been serviceable at right tackle over the last few years. Perhaps the Cowboys just want to see if Guyton could possibly play that spot even better, That would create a scenario where they could shuffle the line but would need a solution at left tackle. Is that Tyler Smith? We shall see.
Phil Mafah looks more explosive
When the Cowboys drafted Phil Mafah in the seventh round in 2025, he came in with a similar running style to starter Javonte Williams. That tough, downhill type of runner that can physically punish opposing defenses. In the first several days of camp, something has looked a little different, his explosiveness.
When Mafah has had the ball in his hands at camp, he’s had an extra gear. He looks faster and more shifty in his movements. At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Mafah could seriously challenge for quite a bit of playing time if he can consistently show this burst and stack good days as he battles Jaydon Blue for RB2 duties. His offseason work that has focused on being more explosive has paid off big so far.
- Dallas Cowboys Preseason
- Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
