Just like that, two weeks of Cowboys training camp are in the books. With the pads finally on, there was plenty to learn over the last several practices.
Leaders in several position battles have begun to emerge, but Week 3 should provide even more clarity about the 53-man roster, as the Cowboys have a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday before opening the preseason against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.
Before the Cowboys kick off their most consequential week of camp, it's only fitting that we run through a quick stock report of players who are dominating and fading in camp.
4 Cowboys players who are dominating training camp and 3 who are fading
Dominating: George Pickens, WR
Trying to predict George Pickens' stat line after he erupted for 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season as a Cowboy is getting tougher and tougher. It won't be easy for Pickens to eclipse that production, but his form in Oxnard suggests he's about to level up.
Whether on script or off script, Pickens has consistently gotten open for Dak Prescott in team drills. His most impressive moment, though, came during 1-on-1s when Prescott dropped a perfect go ball over tight coverage from Shavon Revel Jr. Pickens reached out with his left hand and effortlessly plucked it out of the air. He's as locked in as you can get.
Dominating: Cobie Durant, CB
Durant has been the Cowboys' best defensive back in Oxnard. He hasn't given an inch in coverage and has been all over the ball, highlighted by a red-zone interception of Dak Prescott in which he showed outstanding awareness playing off coverage.
In addition to the INT, Durant's registered a handful of pass breakups. While Shavon Revel has put forth an exemplary effort in the CB2 competition, Durant appears to be in the driver's seat. He's comfortable in man and zone coverage, and his bulldog mentality is exactly the kind of edge this defense needs.
It would take an injury or a substantive fall off for Durant to lose the stranglehold he has on the CB2 job. An impressive place to be only two weeks into camp.
Fading: Nate Thomas, OT
Getting called out by your head coach is never a good thing. That's bad, right?
While Brian Schottenheimer clarified that the left tackle competition isn't over, he cited a need for Thomas to show more to earn first-team reps in practice. Until further notice, his reps will go to Guyton, which is without question in the Cowboys' best interest.
As for Thomas, you would have liked to see him put up a better fight against Guyton. It's not ideal that Schottenheimer felt the need to challenge the third-year tackle. If not for fourth-round pick Drew Shelton looking like a rookie, Thomas probably would be lower in the pecking order. It would not be surprising if Dallas added a tackle before August is over.
Dominating: Jaishawn Barham, LB
Barham was seemingly on a fast track to claiming a starting role in Christian Parker's defense before suffering a groin injury on Thursday. It's not believed to be serious, though, so he should be back on the practice field sooner rather than later.
Nobody knew what to expect from Barham in camp, but the third-round pick out of Michigan has wasted no time validating the Cowboys' faith in him. Every practice brings another reminder that Dallas' linebacker room may be in better shape than expected.
Barham has been around the ball against the run, shown nice awareness in coverage, and even blown past Tyler Smith as a stand-up blitzer. Even if he doesn't start right away, Barham is going to have a significant role as a rookie.
Fading: Reddy Steward, CB
Several Cowboys cornerbacks are stacking good days in camp, but Steward is still waiting for his breakthrough. He has the benefit of appearing in all 17 games last season, including five starts, and he offers slot versatility that few corners on the roster can match. However, he has to prove himself all over again to an entirely new defensive staff.
Take Ameer Speed, for example. Signed by the Cowboys in June following a successful minicamp tryout, Speed has had far more moments than Steward, including an interception in 1-on-1s and forcing a fumble in team drills.
Christian Parker has the cornerback room buzzing. Steward risks falling behind if he doesn't start making plays.
Dominating: Otito Ogbonnia, DT
It almost feels like a disservice to choose Ogbonnia over Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, who've had excellent camps to date. But they're not teaching us anything we don't already know. As long as Williams and Clark are healthy, they're going to be a problem for opposing offenses.
Ogbonnia, on the other hand, isn't an established name, making his omnipresence all the more noteworthy. He gave fans a scare on Thursday when he went into the medical tent, but he returned shortly thereafter and immediately blew up a run play against the starting offense.
Cowboys reporters have also praised Ogbonnia's speed and motor, as he's eliminated pitches and screens from the DT position. Like Durant and Barham, Ogbonnia is going to be a regular in Parker's defense.
Fading: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR
The momentum Valdes-Scantling garnered during OTAs was short-lived. Thus far in Oxnard, he's been vastly outperformed by Jonathan Mingo. Give Mingo credit for performing in a make-or-break camp, but arguably no WR on the roster entered Oxnard with less wind in their sails.
It speaks volumes that he's lapping Valdes-Scantling, who's had a number of drops in key situations. The worst of the bunch was a drop in the end zone that Sam Howell put right between the numbers.
With Mingo standing out and Traeshon Holden seeing action with the starters, Valdes-Scantling is on the wrong side of the roster bubble.
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