The Dallas Cowboys recently completed their mandatory minicamp of three days from June 16-18, and a few players did enough to leave a strong impression. Their stock could soon rise heading into the 2026 season, according to one Cowboys writer.

According to Mauricio Rodriguez of A to Z Sports, wide receiver George Pickens, left tackle Tyler Guyton, and cornerback Cobie Durant emerged as three Cowboys players who may have boosted their position in the roster, ahead of the 2026 season. 

Pickens did not attend the voluntary sessions, which were held in early June. Despite speculations regarding him holding out for a long-term extension, Pickens attended the mandatory minicamp, boosting his stock and building expectations for his 2026 performance.

“Despite the lack of a long-term deal with the Cowboys, showing up was the best choice Pickens could have made,” Rodriguez wrote. “With it, he sends a message to NFL teams who could be interested in him in the future that he’s focused on playing winning football."

Guyton, a 2024 first-round pick, will be battling with offensive tackle Nate Thomas, a seventh-round pick of the same draft class, for the LT spot in the training camp. 

Though Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer called the left tackle battle a 'fun competition' during OTA media sessions, Rodriguez believes Guyton is a 'clear-cut front runner' for the spot

“Thomas took second-team snaps at right tackle, while rookie Drew Shelton took second-team reps at left tackle,” Rodriguez noted. “Thomas is getting the kind of workload a swing tackle would get. Guyton reaffirmed himself as the starting left tackle, but he will naturally need to win the job in camp.”

As for the backup cornerback position, Durant is expected to compete against Shavon Revel Jr and Caelen Carson. Though Revel wasn't present during the minicamp, he is expected to start his activities from training camp post-recovery from an ACL tear.

"In fact, insider Joseph Hoyt from The Dallas Morning News noted that Durant and Caelen Carson were the ones starting at Cowboys minicamp," Rodriguez wrote.

As training camp approaches, the Cowboys still have roster decisions to make, with the backup quarterback competition expected to be one among the closely watched battles.

Training Camp Could Settle Cowboys' Backup QB Debate

The backup QB battle is expected to be monitored throughout the offseason, as Joe Milton III and Sam Howell compete for the backup QB2 spot behind QB Dak Prescott, according to Cal Phillips of Fort Worth-Star Telegram.

"The first week was Joe getting most of the twos and Sam mixing in," Schottenheimer said, per Phillips of Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "This week it’s the other way around, but it’s going to be a fun competition. I love how they are pushing each other to be great."

Prescott also encouraged the competition as both players can push each other to reach their potential and bring out the best in each other.

But regardless of battles, he wants them to remember that they are brothers and teammates at the end of the day, keeping the team as the priority.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote