Train camp battles that could shape the Dallas Cowboys in 2020

The Dallas Cowboys training camp is upon us, and with the team’s depth and questions to answer about the selection, there will be some fierce fighting to watch.

There will be no preseason games this year to evaluate players, so the coaches will have to decide based on what they see in practice and in the annual blue and white scrimmage in late August.

Here are the top positions to watch out for for the Cowboys this summer:

Fourth (and fifth) WR spots

The top three of the most widespread spots are closed, and the Cowboys have one of the best WR groups with Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and rookie CeeDee Lamb up front. After that, however, it becomes difficult for the team. Cedric Wilson has shown potential, but injuries have slowed his progress. This is going to be a big year for Wilson to defend his case.

The second round of 2015 Devin Smith used a great 2019 preseason to earn his way into the roster, but was used sparingly among the former staff. Smith has the pedigree and the skills to roster his claim, but hell has to prove that he can get it done consistently.

The best of the rest include Noah Brown, whose best possession among the former staff was as a major blocking receiver, JonVea Johnson, who is currently on the Covid-19 reserve list for contact with the virus and Ventell Bryant. Johnson was impressive at camp last season and was held after the team placed him on an injured reserve last August, while Bryants’ role on the team in 2019 was mainly in special teams.

The Cowboys may get a surprise from an undeveloped rookie-free agent like Aaron Parker or Kendrick Rogers, but it might be too much to ask young players to make an impact without preseason matches to show their talent.

It will be an interesting group to watch and evaluate to see who stays under Mike McCarthy, who has an affinity for young, developing WRs. The Cowboys are at the top, but need someone to emerge as a viable option after the big three.

The Cowboys have done an incredible job of building depth and versatility along their offensive line, but two starting places are up for grabs. Connor Williams, Connor McGovern, Joe Looney and rookie Tyler Biadasz compete for the openings.

Veteran Looney filled in admirably two years ago when he joined Travis Frederick as a starting center. With Frederick retiring after the season, Looney gets another first look at the runway, but Biadasz has Lineman U’s pedigree in Wisconsin.

The fourth round pick of 2020 was one of the best linemen in college football before shoulder and hip injuries derailed his game last year. If Biadasz has fully recovered and can return to its old form, the Cowboys may have a bargain on their hands and a starting center for years to come.

It would also be foolish to downplay McGoverns’ chances of winning even one spot in the starting lineup. He missed his rookie season with a chest injury, but the 2019 third-rounder has center and watch experience and a hell of a push to win a job.

Williams remains the established player inside, but nothing will be handed over to the University of Texas’s second round 2018 selection. After a few years of looking to break into one of the best units in the league, this is a make or break season for Williams.

The Cowboys lost Pro Bowl corner Byron Jones in free play, but they topped up to make it a deep group. Figuring out who will get the most playing time will be fascinating to watch playing.

Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown are the best recurring options and Awuzie should take advantage of a changed arrangement. Awuzie was already a little underestimated, but finally being able to play on the ball will likely change his perception of him in 2020.

The Colorado veteran may also be playing some safety, so it will be something to watch out for in the camp.

Lewis and Brown are the team’s top slot options, leaving a potential starting CB spot open on the outside. Dallas signed Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson, adding veteran CB Daryl Worley to the mix. Even if Awuzie is moved, three or four players remain for one or two starting CB spots.

CJ Goodwin may not be heavy in the CB rotation, but probably makes the selection based on playing his special teams. Chris Westry, Deante Burton and Saivion Smith will have to have excellent camps to make the selection as it stands.

This is arguably the best Cowboy training camp this summer. As the old saying goes, you can never have enough nooks, so Dallas has gone deep, but will have to see who will earn the premium playtime.

Figuring out who will kick doesn’t seem as exciting as other position fights, but games in the NFL are often won and lost by the kicker. Just ask the 2019 Dallas Cowboys who faltered under a struggling Brett Maher before turning to Kai Forbath too late.

When Forbath joined the team in December, he was perfectly on his kicks (10-10) and earned a new deal from Dallas, but the Cowboys brought in former All-Pro Greg Zuerlein as a free agent for good money to compete for the job. This is perhaps one of the more underrated matches in the training camp.

Which training camp fight do you think is the most important for the Cowboys in their quest to return to the playoffs? Share your thoughts with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.