FanPost

15 Players to Watch in Training Camp

Veterans:
Brice Butler Wide Receiver #19 (26/6'3"/215)

The Cowboys traded for Butler pretty early this last fall and he showed of being an explosive playmaker. He has exceptional size to go with 4.39 speed and a 39" vertical. He's also shown the ability to make ridiculous acrobatic catches. He has big, soft hands and is a more natural hands catcher than Terrance Williams and he has the talent to beat out Williams for #2 receiver spot.

(watch him make a ridiculous catch in practice while he was with the Raiders here.)

Mo Claiborne Cornerback #24 (26/5'11"/194)

Claiborne was drafted 6th overall after the Cowboys traded up for him in the 2012 Draft, but has failed to live up to expectations. Claiborne battled injuries early in his career and had an actually very good season last year, despite playing at only 180 pounds last season. Claiborne is a physical press corner with long 33" arms and underrated ball skills. Claiborne could have his best year yet.

Joe Looney Center / Guard #73 (25/6'3"/315)

The Cowboys just signed Looney this offseason and he has the potential to actually be an upgrade over Mackenzy Bernadeau and Ron Leary. Looney has good athleticism and can backup all three interior positions on the offensive line. That type of versatility would Allow the Cowboys to possibly only need 7 offensive linemen on the active roster (5 starters, Looney, and a swing tackle).

Jeff Heath Safety #38 (25/6'1"/212)

Heath was often burned and abused when he was forced to start 9 games as an undrafted free agent in 2013, but he is a lot better player now than he was then. He has tremendous athleticism, with 4.48 40-yard dash, a 37" vertical and a 22 reps of 225 pounds. He has good ball skills and and was very solid in coverage in his limited snaps last year and he could potentially move into a bigger role after getting resigned this spring to a 4-year deal.

Alfred Morris Running Back #46 (27/5'10"/224)

After reports of Morris looking quicker than and slimmer than his days in washington could prove him to be a key piece to this offense as the back who can spell Elliott and be productive. Morris is grinder who will grind out yards and be productive. He could beat out Darren McFadden and make the Cowboys' running game even more dangerous.

Young Players:

Chaz Green Offensive Tackle #79 (24/6'5"/314)

Green was probably over-drafted by the Cowboys when he was taken in the third round of the 2015 Draft, and his injury struggles in college carried over to the NFL where he missed his whole rookie season with a hip injury. Green has nice athleticism for his size and can likely play guard as well which adds to his value to the roster. He could prove to be a quality swing tackle in the 2016 season.

Ryan Russell Defensive End #99 (24/6'5"/269)

The Cowboys drafted Russell in the 5th round last year and he didn't play much as a rookie. He has temendous physical tools including, size, strength, and speed/quickness, but his most elite trait is his tremendous change of direction ability. Hopefully this offseason, Coach Rod will be able to help Russell put it all together into an effective rotation player.

Vince Mayle Wide Receiver #16 (24/6'2"/224)

Mayle was cut by the Browns at the end of training camp despite being a 4th round pick last year before he signed with the Cowboys. Mayle's size and strength is his selling point, he bullies smaller corners and looks to intimidate them early in the game. He plays hard and has good hands. He plays a lot faster than he tested and you can tell just by looking at his college tape. He might be able to force the Cowboys to keep 6 receivers as his upside as a physical possession receiver is so high.

Mark Nzeocha Linebacker #53 (26/6'2"/239)

A 2015 7th-rounder, Nzeocha hasn't been playing football very long, but he is a physical freak of nature. He has 4.5 speed and repped out 24 reps of 225 pounds. He's a native German and is still new to football, but he was super productive before injury in college. Nzeocha's physical tools and elite skills as a run-n-hit 'backer might earn some playing time.

Lucky Whitehead Wide Receiver #13 (24/5'9"/180)

Whitehead, the 2015 undrafted free agent, has bulked up this offseason to help him withstand the beating of an NFL season and has maintained his speed and agility. Whitehead was productive in a small role last season and earned the kick returner job by the end of the season and he was very productive there. He could be primed for an even bigger role in the offense this upcoming season.

Rookies:

Rico Gathers Tight End #80 (22/6'8"/290)

A 6th-rounder Gathers' listed height/weight might be a little stretched, he's still the Cowboys' biggest tight end. The former basketball player at Baylor used his long arms and soft hands to lead the conference in rebounding in the 2014-15 season and was third as rebounder in 2015-16. If he can use those skills to develop as a receiver and use his natural size and strength to help out as a blocker, he could be real weapon on the goal-line as a receiver and blocker.

Kavon Frazier Safety #35 (22/6'0"/217)

Frazier, a 6th-rounder, has intriguing size and skill that he could use to make a big impact on special teams as a rookie. His tackling skills are already better than JJ Wilcox's and he might already be better in coverage than Barry Church. Frazier could be challenging for the starting spot next to Byron Jones by 2017.

Anthony Brown Cornerback #30 (22/5'11"/192)

Brown, also a 6th-rounder, is probably the fastest player on the Cowboys' roster. He was an absolute steal in the 6th round he could easily get playing time early this season. He's well-versed in both man- and zone-coverage, is a strong tackler, with elite closing speed and good ball skills. Brown is the rookie I would bet on to outplay his draft position in 2016.

Darius Jackson Running Back #34 (22/6'0"/221)

Jackson is the only player who could challenge Brown as the fastest player on the Cowboys roster as only Jackson, Brown, Orlando Scandrick and Brice Butler are the players to run sub-4.4 predraft. Jackson is a freakish athlete with size, speed, and skills. He can catch the ball pretty well out of the back field, and if he can show enough in training camp in that area, he could stick on the roster and make Lance Dunbar expendable.

Rodney Coe 1-Technique Defensive Tackle #67 (23/6'3"/314)

Coe is another athletic freak for his size and has the potential to be the nose-tackle of the future. He has explosive hips and a quick first-step. He should look to capitalize on Maliek Collins' injury. He has the skills to become a very good pass-rusher with some technique work. He could prove himself worthy of a roster spot easily.

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