3 Cowboys whose stock is rising before training camp

Die-hard Dallas Cowboys fans have all marked July 25 on their calendars. That is the day the team begins their journey in 2024. Training camp will once again commence in Oxnard as the Cowboys are looking to get the bitter taste out of their mouths of another early playoff exit. Camp will be filled with stars, rookies and veterans hoping to lead Dallas back to a deep playoff push.

While some players have question marks heading into camp and might be seeing their stock fall, plenty are coming into camp with their stock rising.

Some are taking the reins from a departed player while others are finding themselves in a bigger role on offense or defense. These three players are seeing their stock go up before the real work begins.

3 Cowboys whose stock is rising ahead of 2024 training camp:

1. Trey Lance

Yes, Trey Lance is still technically the third-string quarterback on this team, but the interest in him is high. When the Cowboys traded for Lance last preseason, a lot of eyebrows went up. Questions began to arise: Is Lance supposed to replace Dak Prescott when he leaves? How can Dallas spend draft picks to trade for someone who right now looks like a first-round bust? Every question is justifiable.

Here is the reality, the Cowboys have not paid Prescott when they already should have if they want him to remain the franchise quarterback. Since Jerry has shown little to no movement on a contract and the team did not draft a quarterback, Lance could be a fallback option. Do the Jones' see him as that? Who knows.

Lance arrived to Dallas late in training camp last season, meaning he did not get to play in any of the preseason games. Fans are anxious to see what Lance can do with this offense almost a year into being a Cowboy. The belief is that Prescott will not play in any preseason games, contract or no contract, meaning Lance will get tons of playing time in the three games.

OTAs and minicamp saw Lance making some pretty nice throws. Prescott is still clearly the undisputed starter, but the 2024 preseason is Lance's time to shine.

If the former North Dakota State standout can impress this coaching staff as well as the 49ers staff a few years ago, he may supplant Cooper Rush as the backup. Lance played well his rookie year in the preseason and now in his first full year in Dallas, he will be looking to shoot his way up the depth chart.

2. Jalen Tolbert

If Jalen Tolbert's name was mentioned at this time last year, most would have rolled their eyes and immediately thought "bust". Now heading into camp in 2024, Tolbert not only has a new number but also has many intrigued. Tolbert could very well be a key piece of the offense this season.

Tolbert was drafted in the third round in 2022 and some thought he might be a key contributor right off the bat. That did not happen. The receiver also did not help his cause by saying the infamous quote when he first arrived that he was going to change the culture. That is pretty tough to do when Jerry Jones is the owner. After only two catches his rookie year, Tolbert stepped up in 2023.

He appeared in every game and caught 22 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. His most memorable catch might have come in the game against the Dolphins where he fought All-Pro corner Xavien Howard for the ball on a deep pass and won the battle. The catch helped jump-start the Cowboys' offense in that game.

The bottom line is Tolbert looks ready to take the next step. Fellow receiver Brandin Cooks even had high praise for him back in May. With Michael Gallup's release, the guy in prime position to fill the hole at the third receiver position is Tolbert.

KaVontae Turpin might be used more on offense this year but he is primarily the team's kickoff and punt returner. Other young receivers like Jalen Brooks and Jalen Cropper are also looking to get better, but Tolbert looks the most ready. With all that in mind, the former South Alabama Jaguar's stock is definitely rising before training camp.

3. Rico Dowdle

Rico Dowdle could be the next Tony Pollard the Cowboys have been looking for. Pollard himself was a late-round pick and proved to the whole league he can be a consistent starter. While Dowdle actually went undrafted in 2020, he could be on a similar path.

The Cowboys were not going to pay Pollard the same kind of money Tennessee did. Fortunately, they brought back Dowdle on a one-year deal that will pretty much decide whether or not they will invest in him beyond 2024.

Yes, Ezekiel Elliott is back, but how good is he really going to be? Royce Freeman does not move the excitement meter too much either. In addition, Dallas did not draft a running back, only signing Nathaniel Peat as an undrafted free agent.

All that said Dowdle has a chance to emerge from the pack as the starting running back. When Elliott started to slow down in 2020, Pollard burst onto the scene, literally. While Dowdle might not have the exact explosiveness Pollard has, he is a good change-of-pace back this offense needs. He showed flashes of that last season with 361 yards and two rushing touchdowns along with two receiving touchdowns.

While the belief right now is Dallas will go with a running back by committee approach heading into this training camp, one has to become the main horse. That might be Dowdle if his stock continues to rise.