4 Cowboys already tumbling down the depth chart in training camp

The first week of Dallas Cowboys training camp is in the books and we've already learned so much about the roster. Dak Prescott has looked like a better version of the quarterback that finished second in MVP voting last season and 2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton just might be the team's latest gem along the offensive line.

Since the pads have come on, we've seen some of the most competitive practices in Mike McCarthy's tenure as head coach.

The intensity has brought out the best in numerous players, while others haven't stepped up to the challenge. These Cowboys in particular are already sliding down the depth chart in Oxnard.

4. WR Ryan Flournoy

Flournoy's inclusion might come as a surprise, but Cowboys wide receivers have been the talk of training camp and Flournoy was sidelined for a few days by a minor knee injury.

As a rookie seventh-round pick, Flournoy will in all likelihood make the team, but it doesn't do him any favors that guys like Tyron Billy-Johnson and David Durden have shined in his absence. That doesn't even include Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks, who are duking it out for the WR3 job.

Flournoy turned heads in OTAs and minicamp with his athleticism and ability to haul in contested-catches. He made an excellent first impression, but he needs to get back on the field and remind coaches why he deserves a role on the offense in year one.

3. CB Nahshon Wright

A former third-round pick in 2021, Wright has managed to stick on the roster for three seasons despite seeing very little playing time in the secondary. If you have spotted a wide receiver highlight from camp on social media, chances are Wright was in coverage on the play.

Cowboys reporters have captured Jalen Tolbert and Tyron Billy-Johnson burning Wright for long touchdowns. Wright has also had trouble keeping up with Jalen Brooks. The slow start to camp has caught the eye of The Athletic's Jon Machota (subscription required).

"The third-round tag has bought him (Wright) some time, but there hasn’t been much of a breakthrough, and rookie cornerback Caelen Carson has had a better camp," writes Machota. "Wright hasn’t been awful, but he’s been beat enough times without making big plays the other way to legitimately start asking questions."

It sounds like Wright is at best sixth on the cornerback depth chart, which puts him firmly on the roster bubble a week into camp.

2. QB Trey Lance

The Cowboys only have three quarterbacks on the roster, but Lance hasn't done anything to set himself apart from Cooper Rush for the backup job. The former third overall pick has thrown at least three interceptions in camp and he tossed two in Wednesday's padded practice that were flat-out ugly.

On the first interception, Lance didn't spot linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. in drop coverage on an intended pass for wideout David Durden. The throw was also behind Durden, so it wouldn't have been completed even if Lance identified Harvey in his progressions.

Lance had another INT in red zone drills that was even worse. Like the first, Lance didn't see the defender and threw the pass right to safety Markquese Bell. For whatever reason, the 23-year-old is not seeing the field but he needs to clean it up fast because he's currently not putting any heat on Rush.

1. RB Deuce Vaughn

Desperate for a strong camp and preseason after a forgettable rookie season, Vaughn has disappointed thus far in Oxnard. The only two highlights that Vaughn has featured in both resulted in turnovers by the offense.

On the first, Vaughn dropped a five-yard pass from Trey Lance that bounced into the air and got picked off. While Lance put unnecessary zip on the throw, it hit Vaughn between the numbers. It should've been caught.

On the second, Vaughn didn't attack a pass from Cooper Rush and safety Juanyeh Thomas jumped the route for a pick-six. While Rush left the pass inside, it either would've been caught or fell incomplete if Vaughn didn't let it travel into his chest.

It was more Rush's fault than Vaughn's, but it's these fine details that coaching staff's take big stock in when putting together the final roster.

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