Cowboys' Projected Winners of Key Position Battles

With one preseason game in the books, the Dallas Cowboys are that much closer to finalizing their roster for the 2024 season. However, the process of plugging holes is ongoing.

Dallas had one of the NFL's more complete rosters in 2023, but an offseason exodus of key contributors has led to some holes at very important positions. The Cowboys' plan, it would seem, has been to fill these holes through competitions in training camp and the preseason.

The Cowboys have done little to restock the roster in either free agency or the trade market.

Here, you'll find a look at three of Dallas' most important cam competitions and some predictions based on factors like player potential, past performance, and any relevant recent buzz.

Left Tackle

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Tyler Guyton

Dallas parted with longtime left tackle Tyron Smith in free agency, which created a big void along the offensive line. With quarterback Dak Prescott entering a contract year and the Cowboys hoping for another playoff run, it's a hole that needs to be filled quickly.

The Cowboys sued their first-round pick on Oklahoma's Tyler Guyton. While the rookie played right tackle in college, he's vying for the left-tackle job and may already have the inside track.

Dallas' top alternatives include starting Chuma Edoga—who was listed with the first team on the first unofficial depth chart—or moving Tyler Smith from guard to tackle. Smith played the position as a rookie, though he was more good than great.

Smith was responsible for 13 penalties and six sacks allowed in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.

Seeing Guyton listed with the second team isn't a shock, as Dallas is going to force its rookies to earn a starting job. Expect the talented but inexperienced lineman to gain a lot of momentum throughout the remainder of the preseason after a solid showing in the opener.

While fans should expect a fair amount of rookie ups and downs from Guyton in his first season, the Cowboys will likely allow him to learn on the job. They did that with Smith, and he's since settled in as a fairly reliable, if penalty-prone, player.

Projected Winner: Guyton

Center

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Cooper Beebe

Dallas' selection of Kansas State lineman Cooper Beebe in Round 3 was a smart one because it gives the Cowboys options. The hope is that Beebe will solidify the center spot after the offseason departure of Tyler Biadasz.

While Beebe didn't play center in college, he played every other position along the line. He's a high-floor prospect with a terrific football IQ who can push players like Brock Hoffman and Dakota Shepley for the starting job sooner than later.

Beebe's experience at guard also gives Dallas the flexibility to move Smith over to tackle if Guyton isn't ready to roll by Week 1.

Hoffman, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022, has the edge in experience and was listed as a starter on the first unofficial depth chart. While the Cowboys have high expectations for Beebe, Hoffman—who has 20 games and two starts on his resume—has earned plenty of trust.

"I know he's got my back. And not just mine, the other 10 guys or whoever else stepped on the field with him," Prescott said, per Nick Harris of the team's official website.

Expect that trust to allow Hoffman to fend off the rookie, at least early in the season. Beebe can provide valuable depth at multiple positions, though, and will be a big piece of the puzzle on game days.

Projected Winner: Hoffman

Wide Receiver

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Jalen Tolbert

The Cowboys will have their No. 1 receiver set when and if CeeDee Lamb ends his contract holdout. In the meantime, Brandin Cooks has shined in practices and scrimmages as Prescott's top target.

"He's very valuable to me, he's very valuable to this offense, Prescott said, per Mickey Spagnola of the team's official website. "This connection will only get better."

Cooks didn't have a stellar first season with the Cowboys in 2023, bu,t he was solid finishing with 657 yards and eight touchdowns. He should be cemented as Dallas' No. 2 receiver upon Lamb's return.

The unknown is who will round out the top three receiver spots. The Cowboys dumped Michael Gallup in the offseason, and there's a competition brewing between Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks and KaVontae Turpin. The battle between Tolbert and Brooks was tight early in camp.

".I think those guys will be 3A, 3B this year," Harris posted on X.

Tolbert was listed as a starter on the first unofficial depth chart and may have the early edge based on draft status alone. He was a 2022 third-round selection while Brooks was picked in the seventh round last year. However, this is a competition that will be worth following throughout the remainder of the preseason.

Brooks may have made a statement with his early 43-yard grab early in Sunday's preseason opener. The prediction here is that he steals the No. 3 role out from under Tolbert by Week 1.

Projected Starters: Lamb, Cooks and Brooks