FRISCO, Texas – It's not the first time the Cowboys have been on the practice field together this offseason, just the first time it's considered "mandatory" as the team started a three-day minicamp at The Star.
As expected, the attention centered mostly on the players who haven't been regular visitors so far this summer – Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons. Both were on hand, participating in their own way, but that still left plenty of other storylines to cover. And to no surprise, newly-added wide receiver George Pickens was front and center, continuing to shine as the newest weapon in this offense and building some chemistry with Dak Prescott.
Here are some of the top moments, captured by the staff writers at Tuesday's practice.
Here are some of the top moments, captured by the staff writers at Tuesday's practice.
Dak, Pickens have chemistry
You'd think it would take some time for Dak Prescott to establish chemistry with newly-acquired wide receiver George Pickens, but you'd be wrong. The two showed considerable chemistry in the first practice of minicamp — connecting on several throws and one of which being a deep ball down the left side in double coverage that Pickens came down with.
Immediately thereafter, CeeDee Lamb was seen shouting and dancing on the opposite side of the field and play.
- Patrik Walker
Spann-Ford Getting Looks with Starters
After stacking impressive offseason and OTA performances, second-year tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford has continued to see more reps entering minicamp this week. He started the full team period with the starters before rotating in with the second and third team sets during the 7-on-7 period.
His only recorded grab came during the 7-on-7 portion of practice and it was thrown by Joe Milton, but with Jake Ferguson healthy and at practice, it's certainly something to keep in mind that Spann-Ford is at least earning reps with the top group so far.
- Kyle Youmans
Elam comes up again during tough day for secondary
One of the biggest winners from the OTAs/minicamp so far has been Kaiir Elam, who the Cowboys traded for earlier this offseason. Elam once again made his presence felt on Tuesday, with a pass breakup that should've been an interception on a deep ball from Dak Prescott. It was a free play, but Elam undercut the route and was in the right place at the right time.
Aside from Elam, it was an otherwise tough day for the secondary. Israel Mukuamu had some run at outside corner with Andrew Booth working off to the side, and DaRon Bland continued to take a lot of reps in the slot.
- Tommy Yarrish
Stride Open
Now I see why George Pickens is one of the NFL leaders in yards per catch over the last three years. He takes like three steps to get a first down. Sure, he's a tall guy but for some reason, he's even more of a long-strider with the ball in his hands.
On Tuesday, there were several occasions where Pickens made a catch over the middle on a crossing route and was 10-15 yards up the field in no time. And it wasn't just the intermediate routes, but Pickens went down the field a few times as well, again taking a limited number of steps to get there.
That's going to be a huge addition for the Cowboys' offense that still features CeeDee Lamb, who will command plenty of double coverage. But if Pickens often just has to win a 1-on-1 battle, that could be an easy first down, and then some, because of his ability to get up the field quickly.
- Nick Eatman
Jonathan Mingo makes an impression
The Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo during the 2024 season and haven't seen much from him on the field since. During Tuesday's practice, Mingo had a couple notable grabs, one with double coverage converging on him and another along the sideline during the media's viewing of practice.
Mingo will still have plenty to show if he wants to earn a spot in the wide receiver rotation, but the Cowboys liked him coming out for a reason and feel they can tap into his potential.
– Tommy Yarrish
JaVonte Williams flashing early
The question of who will take the lead role in the running backs' room in Dallas won't be sorted until the team gets to Oxnard, but Williams has been on the right trajectory from OTAs and now into the start of minicamp. He's taken some impressive snaps with the first team that's allowed him to show both an ability to make defenders miss in space, but also to run right up the middle.
He's off to one of the best starts of the entire RBs group.
- Patrik Walker
