There is only so much that can be learned at rookie minicamp. The practices are more about conditioning and installing the playbook than true competition.
Having said that, it didn't take long for head coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Christian Parker to come away impressed by first-round pick Caleb Downs, who is already advanced enough to help teach the playbook.
Just like training camp and OTAs, these practices serve as an evaluation. And the weekend was enough for rookie free agent offensive lineman DJ Wingfield to earn a roster spot after a tryout, his agent Bret Tessler announced.
In a corresponding move after signing Wingfield, Dallas cut guard Sidney Fugar, who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent.
The Dallas Cowboys just signed my client DJ Wingfield (OL, USC/Purdue) to a free agent deal after this weekend's rookie minicamp. Very talented guy got a large NIL deal from USC last year but was ruled ineligible by the NCAA right before the start of the season.
— Brett Tessler (@TesslerSports) May 4, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys sign rookie OL DJ Wingfield and cut Sidney Fugar
With Dayo Odeleye getting an international exception, this leaves one open spot on the 90-man roster.
The Cowboys met with veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson on Tuesday. Nothing has materialized as of this writing, but cutting Fugar makes you wonder if Dallas is reserving the roster spot for Jackson. Maybe they simply had a logjam along the offensive line, but the timing is interesting.
Anyway, back to Wingfield.
The former Purdue Boilermaker has had a turbulent last 12 months. Unaware that his collegiate eligibility had expired after transferring to USC last year, Wingfield lost his appeal with the NCAA and was forced to sit out the 2025 season.
Wingfield started all 12 games for Purdue the previous season, allowing 21 pressures and three sacks, per Pro Football Focus.
Following Fugar's release, the 6'4" guard is now one of two undrafted rookies -- former Kentucky tackle Shiyazh Pete being the other -- set to practice with the rest of the team when OTAs arrive on June 1.
The Cowboys are likely to run back the same starting five as last season: Tyler Guyton at left tackle, Tyler Smith at left guard, Cooper Beebe at center, Tyler Booker at right guard, and Terence Steele at right tackle. Even with T.J. Bass and Nate Thomas returning as the top backups, there should be multiple roster spots up for grabs behind them.
On top of Wingfield and Pete, the competition will include 2026 fourth-round pick Drew Shelton, veteran Matt Hennessy, 2025 sixth-round pick Ajani Cornelius, Trevor Keegan, Marcellus Johnson, and Nick Leverett.
Wingfield is undoubtedly thrilled to land with the Cowboys after sitting out the 2025 season, but he has a long road ahead to make the team.
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