OXNARD, Calif. — We're six practices into training camp for the Dallas Cowboys, and it's been a strong couple of weeks for a handful of players on the current 90-man roster.
With the first preseason game looming next weekend, let's take a look at ten players that are improving their value at the halfway mark of training camp in Oxnard.
We're just over a week into training camp, and a large handful of players have increased their value as the days have gone by.
Damone Clark, LB
Not expected to even play much his rookie year, Damone Clark played in 10 games in his first year, returning from a neck injury. Coming into year two, an extra layer of confidence is embedded in Clark's aura, and that's shown on the field. Whether it's filling the correct gaps on running plays or disrupting the pass game, Clark is standing out for the remaining starting linebacker job.
Sean McKeon, TE
It's a young and relatively unproven tight end room, and while Sean McKeon might not be competing for a starting job quite yet, his play through a week-and-a-half at training camp has begun to solidify his presence on the roster. Whether it's his improved physicality in route running or his improvement in run blocking, McKeon is making his presence felt in one of the more unpredictable position groups on the roster.
Johnathan Hankins, DT
Despite the Cowboys drafting fellow defensive tackle Mazi Smith in the first round of April's draft, Johnathan Hankins has been the standout in the interior defensive line, specifically in pads. Thursday saw Hankins cause disruption all afternoon, busting through Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz and other interior offensive linemen for multiple tackles for loss.
Jalen Brooks, WR
The seventh-round pick out of South Carolina may have been an unfamiliar name coming into training camp, but Brooks has made his presence felt in a big way in Oxnard. Once the pads went on, Brooks' physicality was shown in both route-running and on special teams, making him a standout rookie so far in camp. When factoring in who makes the depth of the wide receiver group, Brooks is starting to become too tough of a name to avoid.
DeMarvion Overshown, LB
Arguably the most impressive rookie through the first half of training camp has been linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. The Texas product has rotated in on defense and shown value, but it's been his play on special teams that has stood out. On a kick coverage team that will sorely miss Luke Gifford, Overshown has stepped up as the most clear replacement with his combination of physicality and speed from start-to-finish.
KaVontae Turpin, WR
Before the start of training camp, lying beneath all of the position battles was a quiet conversation around the fanbase about if it's worth it to keep KaVontae Turpin on the roster as purely a returner if he can't prove his offensive value and another capable returner in Deuce Vaughn now being on the roster. Well, you can put those questions aside after his start to camp. Turpin has rotated in with the first-team and excelled on his healthy amount of reps along with taking advantage of the end-arounds and plays designed for him to have the ball in his hands. An offense with the weapons already present plus Turpin could create a dangerous product in 2023.
Micah Parsons, EDGE
I know, I know. How can Micah Parsons' stock get any higher? Well, think of if Apple somehow made something bigger than the iPhone. That's what it's looked like from a football perspective so far in training camp for Micah Parsons. There is an extra layer of finesse in his pass rush, an extra gear in his motor and a centered mindset fueled by the sting of losing in the playoffs each of his first two seasons. Any debate around potential NFL Defensive Player of the Year winners without Parsons in the equation have to be immediately invalid with what he's done to this point in camp.
Jalen Tolbert, WR
It's a big proving year for second-year wide receiver Jalen Tolbert after his rookie season that saw him haul in just two receptions for nine yards even underwhelmed him. However, Tolbert has quieted just about any conversations around the WR4 debate as he has made big grab after big grab with each day that passes. Off the field, Tolbert has gotten praise from Dak Prescott and the coaching staff for his determined and mature approach to year two as opposed to his timid approach to his rookie season.
Juanyeh Thomas, S
Donovan Wilson and Israel Mukuamu going down on the first day of training camp opened up an opportunity for the depth of the safety group, and Juanyeh Thomas has been the one that has stepped up the most. Markquese Bell has also had a strong camp, but it's been Thomas who has been the most consistent since the pads have come on. The Georgia Tech product has been in on key pass breakups against the first-team offense and has earned praise from the coaching staff for his play.
Nahshon Wright, CB
While Trevon Diggs has battled a sore toe, cornerback Nahshon Wright has rotated in and taken full advantage of the extra opportunities. His length and hand-physicality has caused disruption to Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup and Jalen Tolbert in the pass game, and his two interceptions during camp lead all defensive players. His first big moment came on Diggs' first day off to the side where Wright leaped with Tolbert on a jump ball and came down with a huge interception that fired up the crowd. Wright has proven to be a valuable depth option in the secondary so far in camp.
