Pic 6 | 2025
Pic 6: Quick observations from Day 2 minicamp
Here are some of the top moments, captured by the staff writers at Wednesday's practice.
Miles Sanders is making noise
Who is the starting running back for the Cowboys in 2025? That is to-be-determined, but don't count Miles Sanders out of the discussion. The veteran is showing a lot of spring in his step and that translates well to something he's always done well: acting as a receiver out of the backfield.
On one such occasion in the second minicamp practice, Sanders was the recipient of a touchdown pass from Dak Prescott in the redzone on an out route inside the end zone, and his celebration afterwards shows he's all-in on making noise in camp.
- Patrik Walker
Marist Liufau gets to the quarterback
In situational snaps last season, the Cowboys used Marist Liufau on a linebacker blitz and he got home for 1.5 sacks. Liufau was used that way again in practice on Wednesday, and caused two pressures, both of which would have been sacks if it was run in a real game setting.
Matt Eberflus isn't one to blitz his linebackers often, but maybe Liufau's skillset can change that if he proves he can apply pressure in the backfield.
– Tommy Yarrish
Dak Prescott to Jake Ferguson connection flashes
When Dak Prescott and Jake Ferguson were both healthy for a full season together, they 71 times for 761 yards and five touchdowns, earning Ferguson his first Pro Bowl berth. That was not the case for the two in 2024, with both battling injuries throughout the course of the season.
As it stands now, both are healthy, and showed the chemistry they've built with a signature seam-route touchdown connection during an end-of-half game situation drill. If they can put that product out on the field again in 2025, it would greatly benefit Ferguson as he heads into a contract offseason.
- Tommy Yarrish
Running & Catching
Without a doubt, the running backs that get on the field are going to be asked to do everything, aside from running the ball. While it's hard to see those other elements in practice, one thing was evident Wednesday - these runners will need to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Numerous times, we say Jaydon Blue, Javonte Williams and definitely Miles Sanders sneak out of the backfield to catch a pass, especially in the red zone. That's a dynamic we haven't seen to this level in the last few years.
Blue caught two touchdowns in the College Football Playoff game for Texas against Ohio State. Sanders and Williams have both had 50+ catch seasons in their careers in the past.
Nick Eatman
Joe Milton rebounds nicely
The battle for backup quarterback is one to watch in 2025, as Joe Milton arrives via trade to battle Will Grier. Milton has a cannon of an arm and that can create issues on shorter routes, at times, evidenced by an overthrow in the red zone in the second minicamp practice. But credit to the young QB for shaking it off and bouncing back in a big way thereafter.
Milton threw two touchdowns after the errant pass, one to Jonathan Mingo and another to Ryan Flournoy, and the timing and location of the throws was immaculate.
- Patrik Walker
Kaiir Elam Tallies Another Significant PBU
For a roster that has seen an 11-interception season and five pick-sixes in a single campaign very recently, it's tough to imagine someone else continue to make plays on the football. While it may not be during Sundays in the Fall, Kaiir Elam has made his reps count in the Summer. Wednesday, he batted down another pass from Dak Prescott and should've held on for an interception in the endzone. It was again one of the standout plays from the defensive back group, adding to the already impressive debut offseason for Elam in Dallas.
- Kyle Youmans
