The Dallas Cowboys are less than a month away from departing for Oxnard, Calif., for training camp, as the Brian Schottenheimer era approaches its official beginning on July 21.
In the Cowboys Depth Chart series, we will take a look at each position group to determine which players are safe, on the bubble or have work to do in terms of making the 53-man roster coming out of training camp in late August.
At the wide receiver position, an electrifying duo headlines a passing attack that could be one of the best tandems in the league. Behind the top two, spots remain wide open in training camp and the preseason.
Here’s a look at the wide receiver position heading into training camp.
SAFE (5)
CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Tolbert
After making a seismic trade to address the lack of a second playmaker on offense, the Cowboys now have George Pickens to pair with CeeDee Lamb as a one-two punch in the passing game. Behind them, the availability for targets will be up for grabs in Oxnard.
KaVontae Turpin has a safe spot on the roster due to his value on special teams as a two-time Pro Bowl return specialist, but his value in the slot as a receiver on offense remains a question mark. The team spent valued draft capital when it acquired Jonathan Mingo in 2024, and the coaching staff will see it through with him despite limited production after his acquisition. Jalen Tolbert was once thought to be the next weapon for the offense, but he now faces stiff competition to retain his role as the No. 3 wide receiver. He’ll need to take a step forward in Oxnard to be looked at as a valued passing option.
ON THE BUBBLE (2)
Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy
If the Cowboys decide to carry six wide receivers, expect for 2023 seventh-round pick Jalen Brooks and 2024 sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy to go head-to-head for the final spot.
Both have similar traits: outside ability, high-point ability, special teams value. For either to get the call on cut day that they made it, they will simply to be better than the man next to them. For this duo, it happens to be each other.
WORK TO DO (5)
Jalen Cropper, Parris Campbell, Josh Kelly, Traeshon Holden, Kelvin Harmon
After back-to-back strong training camps and an encouraging effort in the team’s offseason program, Jalen Cropper is closer to the bubble than the rest of the pack here. The question he’ll have to answer is what kind of value can he bring in the passing game. Is he a slot-only option? Or is there and outside ability that he can translate from his productive college career at Fresno State? If any receiver from this pack can make a surge to grab the final roster spot, Cropper would be the odds-on favorite.
Having a veteran in the bottom of the depth chart like Parris Campbell was strategic thinking by the Cowboys front office, but in evaluating his chances at making the roster, it could be tougher to come by than it’s been previously in his career.
After a strong UFL season with the DC Defenders in 2024, Kelvin Harmon found his way onto the Cowboys training camp roster and onto the practice squad last season. For him to make a jump up the depth chart, he’ll need to show a jump in play.
Undrafted rookies typically have the inside track at landing a practice squad spot, and that remains true with Traeshon Holden and Josh Kelly. Holden will have the benefit of his college wide receivers coach at Oregon now coaching him again in Dallas. Both receivers were near the bottom of the Cowboys rookie class when it came to guaranteed money on their contracts, signaling that they have an uphill battle to crack the roster.