The Dallas Cowboys are fresh off a 13-3 season, but that doesn't mean the depth chart is set entering this year. Major personnel changes on the defensive side of the ball mean there will be some key position battles, with the offense needing to sort things out at a few spots as well. With training camp here for the Cowboys, it's time to take a look at the top position battles.
An honorable mention to Darren McFadden vs. Alfred Morris if Ezekiel Elliott is suspended to start the year. There are also some lesser battles (like backup QB) that aren't finalized yet. With that in mind, here are 5 Cowboys position battles to watch in the preseason.
Cornerback
This is an obvious choice. Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne are gone, leaving Orlando Scandrick and Anthony Brown as the holdovers. The Cowboys then signed Nolan Carroll and drafted Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis and Marquez White. Lewis (domestic violence trial upcoming) and Carroll (DUI arrest) also have off-the-field worries. Scandrick and Lewis might both be best as slot, the same with Awuzie. However, Awuzie has the versatility to lineup at any spot. Carroll has the size the other top options lack, while Brown showed real promise in some starts last year. White is the sixth man in this group, but the rest of the pecking order is unclear.
Defensive End
All the contenders will see snaps, but who will actually start and see the most for Dallas? Five different players saw snaps (and starts) at DE last year for the Cowboys last year: DeMarcus Lawrence, Benson Mayowa, Tyrone Crawford, David Irving and Jack Crawford. Tyrone Crawford could shift back to DT, while Jack Crawford is in Atlanta. In their places are first round pick Taco Charlton, last year's fourth round pick Charles Tapper (who was hurt) and free agent flier Damontre Moore. Irving played DT as well last year, but he's suspended for four games to start the year. At least one player, preferably more, must step up and become an impact pass rusher for the Cowboys this year. The defense can't survive without it.
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5th OL Starter
We know that, if healthy, Travis Frederick, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and La'El Collins are four starters. The question is where Collins lines up and who fills the other starting role with Doug Free and Ron Leary gone. Collins is getting a shot to lock down the right tackle spot, which allows the Cowboys to fill the left guard spot with their worst starter, right between Smith and Frederick. The contenders are veteran Byron Bell, who can also play tackle, former first rounder Jonathan Cooper and former third rounder Chaz Green. Cooper is a guard only, while Green is moving to guard after being drafted as a tackle.
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Safety
J.J. Wilcox and Barry Church are gone, leaving Byron Jones as the only cemented starter for the Cowboys. The Cowboys liked to use all three last year (when healthy), but that might not be as doable this season. Jeff Heath is the front-runner to take the starting gig, but he's mostly served as a special teamer. Still, he's made some plays when given a shot. The other options are veteran Robert Blanton and recent late round picks Kavon Frazier and Xavier Woods. As a dark horse, don't rule out Awuzie seeing some snaps at safety.
Backup WR
The top four options are very clear: Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley and rookie Ryan Switzer. But the fifth, and maybe sixth, spot is open. Brice Butler is the favorite, after re-signing with the Cowboys. However, he has just $300K guaranteed of his $1.1 million deal. Lucky Whitehead was the No. 5 WR and return man last year, but Beasley could take special teams duties away. If the Cowboys only carry five, surely they don't carry three slot options? And if it's six, it's still not a great option. The other names to watch are Andy Jones and rookie Noah Brown. Jones shined in training camp, but struggled in the preseason games last year. Brown has potential and was a seventh round pick this year.
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