Dallas

Cowboys

The undrafted second-year back served as the team’s third option at the position his rookie season and appears primed to enter camp as the team’s primary backup to starter Tony Pollard. The 5'10", 210-pound back is well suited to handle a change of pace role, likely leaving passing downs to be split between Pollard and 2023 sixth-round rookie Deuce Vaughn. In all likelihood, Vaughn is looking at a situational gadget role until he can prove capable in pass protection.

Dallas moved on from former starter Dalton Schultz, who departed earlier this offseason for Houston. The team drafted rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker in the second round of the NFL Draft but he has missed the majority of organized team activities while tending to a foot injury, leaving the door open for Ferguson to assert control over the starting tight end role. Ferguson started eight games in his rookie season and caught 19 targets for 174 yards and two touchdowns. While the team also moved on from the tight end-friendly scheme of previous offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, the starter in Dallas likely carries fringe fantasy value in 2023 considering the high-powered nature of their offense.

McKinley spent parts of the last two seasons in Cleveland and Los Angeles before signing to the Cowboys’ practice squad in November. Dallas didn’t have a spot for McKinley after adding ex-Colts DE Ben Banogu this week. The 27-year-old former first-round pick hasn’t started since 2021.

It was a little surprising that there was any talk of him being ready for camp after tearing his ACL in December, but Steele was regarded as being ahead of schedule in his rehab. He’s a PUP list possibility, but the optimistic talk means he has a chance to be ready for the start of the season.

Former place kicker Brett Maher remains a free agent after the team failed to extend his contract this offseason, leaving Tristan Vizcaino as the only kicker currently on the roster. “We don’t see the guy we want to (pull the) trigger on, yet,” Cowboys right hand man Stephen Jones said on Monday. It appears that camp competition will be added at some point but the team’s search for their next kicker seems far from over.

Harry was one of several players the Cowboys hosted for workouts on Monday. Wide receiver Lynn Bowden, quarterback Bryce Perkins, and cornerbacks Jordan Miller and Thakarius Keyes joined the former first-round pick as Harry looks to latch on with a team before training camp. Harry appeared in eight games for the Bears last season, catching seven passes for 116 yards and one touchdown. Through four seasons, Harry has never gone for more than 309 yards and has a career receiving line of 64-714-5 in 40 career games. If he happens to sign on with the Cowboys, he’d be nothing more than added receiver depth.

Elliott and the Cowboys are “evaluating their respective futures,” according to Cowboys beat writer Michael Gehlken. Since releasing Elliott in mid-March, the Cowboys have repeatedly said that the door remains open for Zeke to return. A reunion between the two sides doesn’t seem improbable, considering the talent behind Tony Pollard. The trio of Ronald Jones, Deuce Vaughn, and Malik Davis won’t instill fear in too many defenses. And while Zeke didn’t show much as a rusher down the stretch, he still excels in pass blocking and can punch in the occasional goal line touchdown. Jones also noted that he doesn’t expect the team to pursue wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, citing a potential signing of the veteran receiver as “unlikely.”

Lamb is one of several Cowboys in need of new deals. In addition to Lamb, cornerback Trevon Diggs and offensive tackle Terence Steele also need extensions, with Jones saying he has also reached out to their agents. Lamb is under contract with the Cowboys through 2024, but will almost certainly have a new deal in place by then. While the two sides appear interested in reaching an agreement for a new contract, it’s possible Lamb could opt to wait until next offseason to seriously discuss a new deal. Jones pointed out that players have been more inclined to wait on deals in recent years, as the price for these contracts are only going up.

Lewis had Lisfranc surgery after Week 7 and spent the final 11 games on IR. The Cowboys’ slot corner will be limited at OTAs but getting cleared to run gives him a chance to return this preseason and avoid the PUP list. Lewis, 27, is on the roster bubble on a secondary that added Colts CB Stephon Gilmore and fifth-round CB Eric Scott. Dallas can save $4.7 million in cap space if they release Lewis.

He’s wearing a boot. Schoonmaker wasn’t expected to be a major part of the Dallas passing offense anyway, but if he’s not getting full reps in camp he might be little-utilized in the early portion of the season. Schoonmaker will likely be fine for training camp.