(Editor’s Note: Who doesn’t love lists? Throughout training camp, ‘High 5’ will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2025 season.)
Three practices are in the books as the maiden camp as head coach for Brian Schottenheimer has lived up to the hype. Energy and physicality were each on full display from Tuesday through Thursday. Two more practices are scheduled this weekend, including the first day of pads scheduled for Sunday.
While the pads aren’t on quite yet, it’s still possible to see who is beginning the long month in Oxnard on the right foot. These are five standouts from the first week of Training Camp 2025:
5. Tyler Guyton – It’s a big year for the former first round pick. There’s an expectation now from fans around the NFL to see a significant jump in production from year one to year two in the league. So far, Guyton has checked all the boxes. Has it been a perfect week of practice? No. But he’s shown an ability to pick up pass rushers by standing strong in his sets and footwork. Multiple times already, he’s shown growth in his ability to reset his hands and regain leverage against some of the speed rushers Dallas employs. Each proving that progress has been made in the offseason, and the teaching is paying off.
4. Kaiir Elam – Following a stellar offseason and initial impression in Dallas, Elam has continued his momentum in Oxnard. He kicked off training camp with an interception off Dak Prescott during Wednesday’s practice, even earning high praise from Brian Schottenheimer.
“He plays the game the right way,” Schottenheimer said. “He studies, he’s on top of splits, awareness, and relating to receivers based on their splits.”
Going back to OTAs and minicamp, he’s constantly impressed by making plays on the football and showing high-level football IQ and confidence during his first season in Dallas. Due to the lack of overall health at the cornerback position, Elam’s rise to a possible starting position would cement an under-the-radar steal by the front office this offseason.
3. CeeDee Lamb – No surprise here. The first time that CeeDee Lamb is back on the practice field in Oxnard since 2023 and he finds his way into the highlight reels again. Lamb has made a habit of exciting grabs and jaw-dropping athleticism in practices since his rookie season in 2020, but this year feels like the start of something special. The pre-snap motion and misdirection that Schottenheimer’s offense has showcased so far, all could play towards Lamb’s skillset, which we’re seeing already in practice.
2. Donovan Ezeiruaku – Every year, one rookie tends to steal the show in the early portion of practices. This year, Ezeiruaku has been that guy for Matt Eberflus’ defense. Without Micah Parsons in the rotation, the second-round rookie has taken advantage of the extra snaps by winning reps against both the first- and second-string offensive lines. He has recorded multiple sacks, including a clear one of Dak Prescott in Thursday’s team drills. Ezeiruaku has also benefitted from the advice and conversations that Parsons has given him, despite not participating in practice himself (as seen below).
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