3 Cowboys Who Are Already Blowing Us Away at Training Camp

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy knows that this might be his most important training camp yet. The pressure is on for a deep playoff run, meaning the former Super Bowl-winning coach needs to be sure that he has the best roster possible heading into September.

McCarthy and his staff have 90 players to evaluate before they trim things down for the 53-man roster. While some individuals are searching for their breakout moment, others have already turned heads during the summer months.

Here's a look at three standout performers at Cowboys training camp so far.

Cowboys Training Camp Standouts 2023

1. Jalen Brooks

Expectations are typically low for seventh-round picks, but wide receiver Jalen Brooks has already turned some onlookers into believers.

Brooks is doing everything in his power to crack the 53-man roster. He's made some great catches at scrimmages and showed that he's capable of being a red-zone threat by scoring two touchdowns in one practice earlier this week.

It's hard not to raise expectations too much, but it's hard not to when the former South Carolina Gamecock has also displayed a likable, hard-working personality. He told team reporter Nick Harris that he won't allow any training camp success to get to his head and in the way of his goal.

Last season was the first time since 2018 that the Cowboys didn't finish with a top-10 passing attack. Adding a 6-foot-2, 201-pound wideout to the mix would help get things back on track while giving Dak Prescott a dangerous WR4/5 to work with.

There's no reason to start doubting Brooks any time soon. As long as he doesn't completely fall off once the preseason games begin, he's a legitimate threat to make the team.

2. Deuce Vaughn

One of the first Cowboys who turned heads this training camp is rookie running back Deuce Vaughn.

Truthfully, it's easy to doubt the 21-year-old if you've never seen him play. He's only 5-foot-5 and was taken in the sixth round, highlighting how the deck's been stacked against him.

Fortunately, Vaughn isn't one to succumb to doubters. Beat reporters have been pointing out how the rookie rusher has been using his size in his favor, avoiding tackles while sliding squeeze through the smallest gaps.

Vaughn has also been motivated by the fact that the Cowboys are still determining their RB2 with Ronald Jones missing two games due to a suspension. The competition is tough with Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis also competing for the job, but it isn't like Vaughn hasn't had to prove doubters wrong before.

Even if he doesn't earn a spot in the offense, a consistent training camp and preseason could land Vaughn a special teams role. Dallas was among the best when it came to both kick and punt returns last season, so getting him involved would help continue that trend.

Besides, Vaughn's continued emergence could potentially prevent Jerry Jones from making a financial decision he'd surely regret.

3. Mazi Smith

A lot of pressure was put on Mazi Smith's shoulders when the Cowboys used the 26th overall pick to select him back in April. Fortunately, the massive defensive tackle hasn't crumbled under the pressure in training camp.

If anything, the former Michigan product is thriving under the spotlight.

It didn't take long for Smith to grab headlines at camp. After the first padded practice, the 22-year-old told reporters that you'll never catch him trash-talking because he just enjoys hitting people more than the game of football itself.

Smith continuing to make waves is necessary if the Cowboys want their defense to take the next step. While they're great at defending the pass, they allowed the 11th-most rushing yards per game (124.4) in 2022, as well as the 17th-most yards per carry (4.4).

Getting better as a team at stopping the run will help get Prescott and the offense back on the field more often. In other words, Smith's progress is one of the keys to any potential championship aspirations.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 323 lbs, Smith is the perfect anchor to stick in the middle of the defensive line. He's handled offensive linemen like Tyler Smith and Tyron Smith well enough in practice, so it'll be interesting to see if that success translates to a preseason game.

As a first-round pick, Mazi Smith is basically a lock to make the 53-man roster. However, his best shot at earning a starting job is to continue making waves just as he has thus far.