Mailbag: Which veteran could surprise us?

(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)

A lot of attention has gone to the rookies and George Pickens as the sparkling new addition to the receiver room. But which veteran player has flown under the radar and will surprise us in a positive way this season? – Jay Hijmering/Amsterdam, Netherlands

Mickey: Assuming you mean the wide receiver room, my choice of a veteran who could be flying under the radar would be third year receiver Jonathan Mingo, the Cowboys having traded a 2025 fourth-round draft choice to Carolina to acquire on Nov. 5 of last year. He seems to be running with more confidence, likely understanding the offense much better, which means his speed as advertised is beginning to show up.

Remember this guy coming out of Ole Miss in 2023 ran a 4.46 combine 40, and that at 6-2, 220, a good reason why the Panthers drafted him in the second round. Dak Prescott in these OTA and minicamp sessions seems to be trusting him more. Mingo also has been running with the second set of receivers, usually including KaVontae Turpin and Ryan Flournoy. He's also showing improved catch radius.

My second choice would be Jalen Cropper, the undrafted free agent in 2023 having spent the past two seasons on the practice squad. Cropper has shown promise the past two offseason and training camp but then faded during the preseason games. Keep an eye on him this summer.

Tommy: I think that Kenneth Murray has a lot of untapped potential, and he couldn't have found a better spot to find someone to bring it out of him than Dallas with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Eberflus played the position and has a strong track record of developing players at the position, and Murray is the next guy up on his list.

If you watch his tape from Oklahoma, it's easy to see why he was a first-round pick and talent. Sometimes, it just doesn't work out in certain systems, and a fresh start with the Cowboys could be just what Murray needs. I'll give you a bonus too: I think Jack Sanborn is in the same boat.

He managed to carve himself a role in Eberflus' defense in Chicago after going undrafted out of Wisconsin, and has a chance to do the same after signing in free agency to follow his then head coach with the Bears.