Cowboys news: Breaking down who needs to step up in 2026

Dallas Cowboys who need to elevate their game the most this season – Jon Machota, The Athletic

Several players need to take their performance to the next level this season.

1. Tyler Guyton, left tackle

Left tackle is the biggest question mark on the Cowboys’ offense. Dallas used the 29th pick on Guyton in 2024. Over the last two seasons, he has struggled with consistency and staying healthy. He started 11 games in 2024 and 10 last season. He’ll enter this year’s training camp battling Nate Thomas for the starting job. The biggest issue for the Cowboys is that if neither proves he can hold the job down, All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith will likely have to move out to left tackle, weakening the interior of their line.

2. DeMarvion Overshown, inside linebacker

Inside linebacker is the biggest question mark on the defense. Overshown and recently added veteran Dee Winters are the expected starters in Dallas’ new 3-4 scheme. Overshown has shown glimpses of his talent over the last three seasons. But he has struggled to stay healthy, missing 32 games. Entering a contract year, there’s no better time for him to stay healthy for a full season. That would also go a long way in helping the Cowboys at a position that was a major issue last season.

3. DaRon Bland, cornerback

Bland is one of the Cowboys’ highest-paid players at $22.5 million per season. That number is also seventh highest among all NFL corners. Dallas needs him to be a quality starter. But foot issues have become a significant concern. Bland says he’s fully healed from his January foot surgery. He’s expected to be a full participant at the start of training camp after working off to the side with athletic trainers during organized team activities and minicamp. Bland had 14 interceptions in his first two seasons. He’s had only one over the last two.

No.19) Who will emerge as Running Back 2? – Nick Eatman, Mickey Spagnola & Kurt Daniels, DallasCowboys.com

The RB2 battle is one of great interest this offseason.

FRISCO, Texas – Football season is getting closer and closer.

The Cowboys are set to depart for training camp in less a month. That’s when we’ll get an up-close look at Brian Schottenheimer’s second season with this revised roster and coaching staff. When we get to Oxnard, that’s when we’ll start to get some real answers about this 2026 Cowboys team.

But what are the questions? We’ve compiled our annual list of pressing questions that need answers heading into the regular season. The staff writers, consisting of Patrik Walker, Tommy Yarrish, Nick Eatman, Mickey Spagnola and Kurt Daniels, weigh in on some of the pressing issues.

Today, we’ll continue the series with a look at backup running back position behind starter Javonte Williams.

19) Who will emerge as Running Back 2?

Mickey: Let’s cut right to the chase. My money is on Jaydon Blue, and my guess is the second year back from Texas is the guy the Cowboys are hoping emerges as RB2. Blue would be the perfect complementary back to workhorse Javonte Williams, a great change of pace back versatile not only as a ball carrier but also as a receiver out of the backfield who could, by the way, line up in the slot.

And this takes nothing away from Malik Davis or Phil Mafah, but different styles of backs. We are talking 4.28 speed with Blue. Think about this dream scenario in certain formations where you could have CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens out wide, KaVontae Turpin in the slot and then motion Blue out of the backfield into the other slot.

That is a whole lot of speed on the field, and unless defenses moved into a dime package, what linebacker or safety is going to go one-on-one with either of those guys coming out of the slot. To me, the Cowboys are going to give Blue every chance to win that job.

What We Learned About Dallas Cowboys Before Training Camp – Mike Moraitis, Cowboys On SI

Some key things are coming to light.

No holdout for George Pickens

While the writing was certainly on the wall that George Pickens did not plan to hold out, we still needed confirmation after he didn’t attend the voluntary portion of the offseason program.

Not only did Pickens show up to minicamp, he also flat-out said he was not going to hold out.

“Uh, no, I’m definitely here now,” Pickens confirmed. “Like I said, the group of guys that’s with the Cowboys kind of prevents you [from holding out]. If you know guys, and are going to guys’ house[s], you’re talking. I talk to Dak [Prescott]. I’m still throwing with Dak. He’s definitely gonna make you not want to hold out.”

There were multiple avenues this situation could have gone down after Dallas slapped the tag on Pickens and told him he would not get a long-term deal.

Pickens not pushing back was one of the best possible ones for the Cowboys. Trading him off the tag would have been the another.

Not much of a left tackle competition

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said at OTAs that there would be a competition at left tackle between Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas, and Cowboys fans were happy to hear that because Guyton had struggled over two seasons.

However, after minicamp we discovered that Guyton has been seeing all of the first-team reps at left tackle, which paints the picture that the left tackle battle isn’t much of a battle at all.

“It’s a competition between Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas, but Guyton is the clear favorite,” The Athletic’s Jon Machota reported. “He was the one running with the first-team through minicamp practices. As long as he can stay healthy, Guyton should hold down that spot in his third season.”

We can’t say we’re necessarily surprised that Guyton is on track to be the starter at left tackle, but we expected more of a true competition between he and Thomas.

Cowboys’ Javonte Williams has the chip on his shoulder Dallas needed – Lior Lampert, The Landry Hat

Javonte Williams wants even more after career year.

Cowboys’ Javonte Williams isn’t satisfied after long-awaited breakout

Put Williams’ comments in the “things Cowboys Nation loves to hear” category. He just reached a high point in his NFL career and is already aiming for new heights. The bruising playmaker is seemingly motivated by accolades and is striving to represent Dallas on football’s most prominent stages.

Shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars, as the saying goes. Williams made a leap but remains hungry and operating as if he still has something to prove. His mindset is admirable and should only help him in the long run.

Despite his commendable confidence, it’s debatable whether Williams has another gear to hit. He was a bona fide stud in Year 1 with the Cowboys, which the numbers bear out.

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