Cowboys training camp: Stock watch from the first practice

The first day of training camp is officially in the books this year. Brian Schottenheimer got his first chance to run a practice with the entire team, even as some players weren’t actively practicing due to injuries or contractual reasons. There wasn’t too much action on the first day, but there was enough to discern some marginal movements in player stocks.

Stock up

Dak Prescott

Guess who’s back, back again? Dak Prescott is back, and while Schottenheimer said that the quarterback will be limited in how much work he gets while recovering from a partial hamstring avulsion, he did just enough to remind people who he is.

Prescott had several beautiful throws that were typical for how he fits passes into tight windows, and he even showed off some plus mobility. Given how poor he was playing before the injury last season, it’s encouraging to see Prescott look like himself again, even if it’s still incredibly early.

Javonte Williams

It’s anyone’s guess as to who will see the most work at running back for the Cowboys in 2025, but one name stood out from the rest on Tuesday: Javonte Williams. In Monday’s press conference, Schottenheimer specifically listed Williams as someone who’s caught his eye, and that was reflected in the practice workload.

It’s still early, and this running back room is very crowded, but Williams appears to have an early edge in this position battle.

Deuce Vaughn

Speaking of that crowded running back room, Deuce Vaughn has been the odd man out according to every media talking head in town. It’s not hard to see why, as Vaughn has hardly seen the field in his two years in Dallas and the team just added four new running backs in the offseason. I even listed Vaughn as one who has the most to prove in camp.

That’s why it turned some heads when Schottenheimer mentioned Vaughn’s name at Monday’s presser when talking about the competition at running back. His inclusion was even more notable by the omission of rookie Phil Mafah, suggesting that Vaughn may have a better chance than most believe. Vaughn’s performance Tuesday only built on that.

Vaughn still faces long odds to make the roster, but these past two days have been about as encouraging as one could hope for the diminutive runner.

Stock down

Sam Williams

Sam Williams was once a promising edge rusher prospect, but a combination of off-field issues and on-field errors – namely, penalties galore – put that in jeopardy. Add in the fact that he’s coming back from a torn ACL and Williams has a lot to prove right now.

Suffice it to say that things didn’t start off swimmingly, though. Williams got an early taste of Schottenheimer’s willingness to instill discipline, as the coach pulled him from drills after crossing the line early on.

Obviously, it’s a critical learning moment for Williams, who was seemingly overeager to get back into football activities after his extended time off. However, given his track record and a position group that got even more crowded on Tuesday, it’s not a good sign.

Trevon Diggs

If there was one takeaway from Monday’s press conference (and there were plenty), it’s that Jerry Jones and Trevon Diggs are not besties. Jones made explicit references to a perceived lack of leadership from Diggs, and even seemed to admit regret over extending the cornerback.

Diggs returned the sentiment on Tuesday, expressing surprise and disappointment over being docked $500,000 for not rehabbing with the team this offseason. Diggs continues to work on his recovery from a torn ACL, and the level of commitment to said rehab has already been questioned before, only adding fuel to the fire of a growing public feud between player and owner.

Diggs doesn’t seem too interested in making the changes Jones seems to want, and the longer the cornerback is unable to be a fully participating member of the team, the louder the noise around him will get.