OXNARD, Calif. — Before we dive into the standouts at Dallas Cowboys training camp thus far, let’s look at a case study. Former first-round pick Mazi Smith, heading into his third season with the Cowboys, has had some good moments at camp. He’s had some unimpressive ones, too.
One video clip posted on social media may tell one story about how Smith has looked in camp, and another might set the opposite end of the spectrum. The point being: the Cowboys have had a lot of practice reps and a lot of plays over the course of their nine training camp practices, making it hard for absolute assertations to be considered justly accurate. Smith, for example, has been inconsistent. The Cowboys likely want to see more from the former Michigan defensive lineman if they want to utilize him in a starting role.
Other Cowboys players have consistently stood out, however.
Let’s look at 10 of them.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) and cornerback Kaiir Elam (20) answer questions from the media during a training camp player availibiity in Oxnard, California, August 1, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
CB Kaiir Elam
I considered making this list in alphabetical order. Then I figured I might as well just start with the person I think has stood out the most. And it’s not just for his celebration ability.
Former first-round picks, like Elam was out of Florida in 2022, usually aren’t available for other teams this early in their career. That is, unless things didn’t go well. That was the case for Elam in Buffalo. There were reasons to think that a change of scenery could do Elam well, however. The Bills changed schemes from one that fit Elam. His lack of opportunities resulted in a lack of confidence. Even Bills general manager Brandon Beane took ownership after they traded him to Dallas for a late-round pick and a pick swap, saying that it was on them, not Elam, for why it didn’t work. Beane wished him the best.
So far in Dallas, it’s been completely different for Elam. He’s had opportunities. He’s made the most of them. He’s been confident, sparked by consistent play since he arrived. He’s been the one immovable object in the Cowboys’ rotating secondary this offseason. He was fantastic in minicamp and OTAs and he carried that over to camp, where he’s had a team-high three interceptions in team drills.
Elam looks like a surefire starter for the Cowboys. He’s standing out on a regular basis. If he can do this in the regular season, it could be one of the better trades the Cowboys have made in recent memory.
RG Tyler Booker
OK, back to alphabetical order. It’s fitting that we start with the player the Cowboys believed could be an alpha for them.
Booker, the 12th overall pick in this year’s draft, has been fantastic. As expected, he’s handled everything that comes with being a professional. He’s also looked like the instant impact starter the Cowboys hoped he could be. His strength is apparent, and his football intelligence, especially in the face of Matt Eberflus’ stunts and blitzes, has been noticeable. He said handling those is like doing algebra in a fist fight. Well, he looks like he could throw a right hook and solve for ‘X’ simultaneously without breaking a sweat.
Perhaps the most telling: how he responded the one and only day he was dropped to the second team in favor of Rob Jones, who’s out for an extended period of time with a neck injury. He did it in stride and improved, just as Brian Schottenheimer hoped.
C Cooper Beebe
Offensive line coaches will tell you that linemen are often doing well when they aren’t heard, seen or discussed. That’s been the case for Beebe in his second year. That’s the reason he’s stood out, ironically. That’s not to say he’s been completely under the radar. He’s looked impressive in the running game. He’s moved and turned run defenders often. He also has taken a step in terms of making checks and identifying blitzes. He had a good start to his career last year and looks like he’s ready to take another step.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (41) and assistant offensive line coach Ramon Chinyoung Sr. dance during stretching at training camp practice in Oxnard, California, July 28, 2025. Ezeiruaku eventually landed a jump split.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku
With a nickname like “EZ,” we probably should’ve seen a smooth transition to the NFL for the Cowboys’ second-round pick. Ezeiruaku was someone the Cowboys were even considering at No. 12, so imagine their excitement when he was there with the 44th overall pick. So far, he’s looked the part of a first-round pick. His athleticism jumps off. His arsenal of pass rush moves is noticeable. He looks like he could have a key role in the Cowboys’ pass rush rotation this season.
S Malik Hooker
We’ve talked a lot so far about younger players and newcomers. How about a veteran? Hooker, 29, has stood out in the running game. His downhill run fits have been impressive. He also hasn’t stood out in pass coverage, which can be a good thing at times, just as it is with offensive linemen. The Cowboys have some younger and talented safety options, but Hooker and Donovan Wilson keep holding them off. There’s a reason why.
WR CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb set franchise records for receiving yards and catches in 2023. He and Dak Prescott built a strong connection that offseason. Prescott spent the year healthy. Lamb said he would have no problem reminding people this year about what happens when he and Prescott are both healthy and on the same page. I believe him. Lamb has looked fantastic so far. He made a diving circus catch on Saturday before he made another deep ball reception from Prescott. The only thing potentially stopping Lamb from setting career highs this season: the addition of George Pickens, who is expected to have a significant share of the offense.
Dallas Cowboys running back Hunter Luepke (40) makes a cut as he runs through obstacles during a training camp practice drills in Oxnard, California, July 28, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
OW Hunter Luepke
There’s a reason I put OW (offensive weapon) instead of FB (fullback) for Luepke’s position. That’s the positional designation the San Francisco 49ers have used for their do-it-all fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Luepke has watched film of Juszczyk this offseason. So far, he looks like he could be used similarly. Schottenheimer has been effusive in his praise for Luepke’s ability. He’s talked often about the trust they have in him to do multiple things. Luepke has lined up at running back, fullback, tight end, and even out wide in motion sets. He’s looked good, too.
WR Jonathan Mingo
Schottenheimer said the team doesn’t really believe in designating certain receivers as No. 1, or No. 2, or No. 3. But there is a natural hierarchy of plays and targets, however. So far, it’s looking like there could be a potential battle for that WR3 spot between Jalen Tolbert — the expected choice for it — and Jonathan Mingo. We didn’t see much of Mingo last season after the Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick for him. The offseason work he did has worked out well so far. He’s been consistent for the Cowboys, whether it’s on passes from Prescott or Joe Milton. He’ll be intriguing to watch in the preseason.
DT Jay Toia
How about one more rookie? Toia, a seventh-round pick out of UCLA, has risen into a rotation with the starting defense. Run defense has been an eye sore for the Cowboys in recent memory. Toia hopes to make a change in it. Schottenheimer has talked about Toia and how he’s been able to keep his pad level down — a must for big-bodied defensive tackles. He’s creating leverage with that size and even frustrating interior offensive linemen. Could he rise over Smith in the rotation?
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (9) is tagged by cornerback Kemon Hall (43) after making a catch during a training camp practice in Oxnard, California, August 2, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
OW KaVontae Turpin
OK, one more offensive weapon designation, because like Luepke, Turpin could be used in a lot of different roles. He’s been seen in the backfield often as a running back. He’s also moved all around at wide receiver in addition to being the team’s All-Pro kick and punt returner. There’s no question about the Cowboys getting Turpin, one of the fastest players in the NFL, the ball. The only question is how often. I think there will be an increase this year.
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