The Athletic's Jon Machota lists WR Brandin Cooks as one of the Cowboys who has stood out most in training camp. "Coaches and players have talked plenty about the added emphasis this year on the deep ball and Cooks is going to be arguably the most significant factor for that," Machota writes. "His speed is unmistakable and gives [QB Dak] Prescott added confidence in getting the ball downfield and opens things up for other receivers underneath." Cooks won't challenge WR CeeDee Lamb for the target lead. But it sounds like he's the favorite to finish second in targets, ahead of WR Michael Gallup. See where Cooks sits in our updated fantasy football WR rankings.
The Cowboys released their first "unofficial" depth chart of the season Monday, and it includes RB Rico Dowdle as the backup to Tony Pollard. Malik Davis follows Dowdle, with Ronald Jones fourth and rookie Deuce Vaughn fifth. These preseason depth charts often hold things that aren't close to how the regular season works out. But the rest of this particular depth chart looks legit. We'll certainly be watching Dallas' backfield competition the rest of the way. There is no clear favorite for the No. 2 job -- and still the possibility that the Cowboys import a veteran.
The Cowboys remain “in the mix” to re-sign RB Ezekiel Elliott, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. New England, meanwhile, remains “highly interested” in the 28-year-old. Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and Kareem Hunt all remain free agents as of Monday afternoon.
Cowboys TE Luke Schoonmaker made his practice debut on Monday. The rookie missed all of spring workouts and the first week+ of training camp with plantar fasciitis. He has a lot of catching up to do if he wants to earn a Week 1 role. We'll track his progress over the next month. For now, Jake Ferguson is the favorite to open the season as Dallas' lead TE.
Cowboys TE Luke Schoonmaker (foot) recently suffered a setback, per HC Mike McCarthy. It’s “nothing major,” according to beat writer Jon Machota, but the team isn’t sure on a return time. Jake Ferguson should lead Cowboys TEs in snaps come Week 1.
Cowboys rookie TE Luke Schoonmaker worked off to the side but in full pads Tuesday, according to ESPN's Todd Archer, "normally a sign a player is close to getting on the field for practice." The second-round pick has been out with plantar fasciitis. We'll see if he's back in time for preseason games. He'll likely still face a tough battle with Jake Ferguson for playing time.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah came away from Cowboys training camp “concerned” about the O-line. LT Tyron Smith “looked a little bit old,” per Jeremiah. He also noted the absence of G Zack Martin (contract). It’s a storyline to follow, but we’re not too worried about this unit limiting Dak Prescott and company. See why in our recent piece on O-line play and fantasy production.
The Rams signed RB Royce Freeman. He replaces the recently retired Sony Michel on the roster. Freeman has totaled just 132 carries over the past three seasons and is unlikely to be a 2023 fantasy factor.
Free agent RB Ezekiel Elliott reportedly visited the Patriots on Saturday, per multiple reports. The team hosted fellow free agent RB Leonard Fournette on July 18, and are rumored to be linked to Dalvin Cook as well. HC Bill Belichick and company seem keen on adding veteran depth to this backfield to accompany incumbent starter Rhamondre Stevenson. The more this possibility drifts toward reality, Stevenson looks like a potential fantasy loser just one year after recording career bests in touches (279), total touchdowns (six), and scrimmage yards (1,461). Though Elliott has slowed down in recent years, he's posted at least 230 carries in every season of his career dating back to 2016. How good the former All-Pro will be entering his age-28 season is its own matter. Regardless, we'll be sure to monitor this situation should any sort of deal materialize. See where each of these players appear in our current RB rankings.
Cowboys S Donovan Wilson is expected to miss four to six weeks after straining his right calf in practice this week, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. That timeline could reach into the regular season. Dallas' defense should be OK, with former starter Malik Hooker as the third safety. Wilson's absence could mean more time in the box for S Jayron Kearse, though. He already looked like a value for fantasy football drafts by our IDP rankings.
The Cowboys placed TE Luke Schoonmaker on the non-football injury list. He's still dealing with the plantar fasciitis that sidelined him for much of the spring. Schoonmaker landed in a wide-open Cowboys TE corps. But the missed practice time doesn't bode well for his chances of carving out an early-season role. TE Jake Ferguson is probably the better bet for production out of the gate.
The Cowboys and CB Trevon Diggs have agreed to a five-year extension worth $97 million (plus incentives), according to multiple reports. The $19.4 million annual average ties Diggs for fifth at the position. The deal comes as no surprise. Diggs heads into just his fourth year and won't turn 25 until late September. He announced himself to the public with a league-leading 11 INTs in 2021. That number (predictably) tumbled in 2022, but Diggs improved in coverage. One measure: He allowed a career-low 12.1 yards per catch, down drastically from 18.7 in 2021. Diggs also saw 10 fewer targets in coverage last season despite playing 80 more snaps in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. Expect the young CB to remain an inconsistent contributor in fantasy football leagues. Diggs sits low in our 2023 IDP rankings.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott missed 5 games last year with a right thumb fracture. Back healthy, he’s looking to play a full season for the first time since 2019. As Nick Harris of the Cowboys’ official site writes, “the new offense [with HC Mike McCarthy as play caller]… has been constructed completely around Dak.” Prescott, with two years remaining on his current deal, might also receive an extension this summer. Currently, he’s scheduled to count nearly $60 million against Dallas’ 2024 cap. Before then, Dak will look to capitalize on the arrival of WR Brandin Cooks, who gives this unit a more dynamic 11 personnel. Prescott ultimately projects as a low-end QB1 for fantasy managers.
Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks aims to rebound from a down 2022. The veteran tallied 57 catches, 699 yards, and 3 TDs while missing 4 games. Cooks’ efficiency metrics stunk, but it’s tough to knock him, given Houston’s awful QB play. A March trade to Dallas gives new life to his fantasy value. The Cowboys handed Cooks ~$12 million guaranteed, so they’re confident in him performing as the No. 2 behind CeeDee Lamb. Based on work at OTAs, Cooks’ speed remains a dangerous trait. “Not only the speed, but I think he's an exceptional route runner,” HC Mike McCarthy said via ESPN. “He has a great understanding of routes and time clocks, and specifics of getting in and out of breaks.” See where he slots in our WR rankings.
ESPN's Adam Schefter believes Sam Darnold will head to training camp as the favorite for the 49ers' No. 2 QB job. With a healthy QB Brock Purdy the favorite to start, that'd leave QB Trey Lance third on the depth chart. Schefter adds that he doesn't expect Lance to be traded because "there was never a lot of interest." The massive fall continues for Lance, who was the third overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He's certainly worth keeping stashed on dynasty rosters, but it's getting tougher to spend a pick on Lance at any point of best-ball drafts.
Jon Machota of The Athletic believes RB Malik Davis is “the most likely candidate” to earn Dallas’ RB2 job. His competition includes Ronald Jones and rookie scat back Deuce Vaughn. As Machota admits, the team could bring in a veteran to share the load with Tony Pollard. We’ll see how this situation develops in training camp. For now, outside of ultra-deep formats, Davis isn’t someone we’re looking to buy. The former Florida Gator brings some pass-catching chops with 54 receptions over his final two college seasons. But Davis also went undrafted last April following his redshirt senior campaign. He'll turn 25 in November.
Per ESPN’s Todd Archer, Cowboys TE Luke Schoonmaker is dealing with a case of plantar fasciitis. He was seen wearing a protective boot on his right foot at OTAs. The Round 2 pick enters the summer looking to earn snaps for a Cowboys squad now without Dalton Schultz.
49ers QB Trey Lance has made a "substantial jump" this offseason, according to private QBs coach Jeff Christensen. Lance recently worked with Christensen alongside Patrick Mahomes. “I said, ‘Watch this. Watch what he does here,’” Christensen said. “It was something I was telling him to do that he wasn’t quite doing. And then he saw Patrick apply it perfectly. And I think that visual buy-in, that mental buy-in, helped him past that mental hump. And to his credit he just kept getting better." Lance has adjusted his throwing motion and made improvements in accuracy, spin rate, and delivery time, according to Christensen. We'll get a glimpse at the new-look Lance when the 49ers open OTAs this week.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Cowboys QB Dak Prescott will sign an extension this offseason. Dak is under contract through the 2024 season, but his cap number rockets from $26.8 million (2023) to $59.5 million in 2024. “Cowboys leadership has been very clear, publicly and privately, that they're all-in with Dak," Graziano writes. “They want him to be a Cowboy for his entire career.” Prescott, who turns 30 in July, projects as a low-end QB1 for 2023.
The Cowboys chose RB Deuce Vaughn in Round 6 of the NFL Draft. Vaughn, of course, is best known for standing just 5'5 and 179 pounds. He got workhorse usage at Kansas State the past two years, though, with 528 carries and 91 receptions over that span. Vaughn might need return duties to help him make the active roster, but we'll be watching eagerly to see if he can work into an offensive role. There's room to climb a depth chart that currently includes Tony Pollard, Malik Davis, Ronald Jones, and Rico Dowdle. Vaughn will be just a late-round target for dynasty rookie drafts.
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