Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) points to the sky after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas. The Cowboys defeated the Raiders 33-16.
Elías Valverde II/Staff Photographer
Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is expected to attend the team’s mandatory three-day minicamp, starting Tuesday. That doesn’t mean you’ll see a lot of him on the field, however.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said last week the team would likely acclimate Pickens because he missed all of the team’s voluntary work after the team franchise tagged him. It put into question, at least externally, whether he would even show up to the team’s minicamp.
With Pickens likely not practicing much, who should Cowboys fans keep an eye on? Here are some players to watch.
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WR Ryan Flournoy
If not Pickens, how about another receiver? Flournoy has had a steady progression since the Cowboys selected him in the sixth round in 2024. The former Southeastern Missouri State receiver started slow, catching 10 passes in his rookie season. Since then, he’s progressed, however. He finished as the team’s No. 3 receiver last year despite starting lower on the depth chart. He caught 40 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns. He also had two 100-yard receiving performances. When he was called upon, he answered.
In organized team activities, Flournoy looked like he progressed further. He looked bigger than the last time we saw him.
“Ryan Flournoy, I really think is taking the next step,” Schottenheimer said. “I think he has a chance to be a terrific receiver in this league.”
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Flournoy is probably one of the team’s top breakout candidates heading into this season.
LB Dee Winters
Winters was one of the more unheralded acquisitions this offseason, but he might be one of the most important.
The Cowboys entered the NFL draft with a significant need at linebacker. They didn’t fill that need in the first two days with a draft pick. They then acquired Winters from San Francisco for a fifth-round pick.
Winters, a TCU alum, started 17 games last season for the 49ers. Here in Dallas he’ll have the fast track to start alongside DeMarvion Overshown at the team’s two inside linebacker spots.
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Winters will be someone to watch in minicamp and beyond as he tries to secure a starting spot.
Dallas Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson (34) works out on the exercise cord during Organized Team Activities at The Star in Frisco, Texas, June 4, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
S Jalen Thompson
How about the player who might’ve been the most heralded free agent acquisition? The Cowboys signed Thompson to a very large deal, relative to what they usually spend in free agency. His three-year, $33 million deal was the most they’ve spent per year on a free agent in over a decade.
We didn’t see much of Thompson during OTAs as he worked back from a pectoral strain.
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Thompson should fill a very important and versatile role in Christian Parker’s defense. Once he hits the field, he’ll be worth keeping an eye on.
LTs Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas
Schottenheimer has made it clear that the Cowboys are having a true competition for the starting left tackle spot between Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas, the team’s first-round and seventh-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft, respectively. Guyton has been given the nod for the starting job each of the last two seasons, but he’s been injured and inconsistent. Thomas started in four games last year due to injury, but had his share of struggles, too.
Schottenheimer said both will be given stretches of reps with the starting team so they could have a good, consistent look at how each plays with that group.
It’ll be interesting to see who gets the first nod in minicamp.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (23) carries the ball during an Organized Team Activity drill at The Star in Frisco, Texas, June 4, 2026.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
RBs Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue
Speaking of competition: there’s an open one for the backup running back spot behind Javonte Williams. Blue and Mafah, both selected on Day 3 in 2025, are in it, along with veteran Malik Davis. We didn’t see much of Blue and Mafah last year until the season finale. Mafah was on injured reserve the entire season until then. Blue was up and down, inactive and active, throughout the season. Both had touchdowns against the Giants, however, giving optimism for their second year with the team.
There’s a chance both could carve out a role with the Cowboys’ offense this season due to their differing styles. Mafah is a big back who impressed with his contact balance, especially last preseason. Blue has unique speed in this backfield and the chance to be a big-play threat. Schottenheimer and running backs coach Derrick Foster challenged him to take a step in his professionalism and maturity over the offseason and the early indications are that Blue met that.
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Williams wasn’t at practice last OTAs, opening the door for Mafah to get the first reps with the starters. We’ll see how both of these second-year running backs progress throughout minicamp and training camp.