Dallas Cowboys Mandatory Minicamp: Observations From Day 1

Reports from multiple Cowboys writers suggest that the Prescott to Pickens connection is already sharp—5 for 5 on targets to Pickens during team drills, including a jump ball into double coverage down the left side.

Pickens is the kind of receiver who doesn’t need perfect chemistry with his quarterback to be effective. But for Dak, that trust matters. To have the confidence that if the ball is in the air, my guy’s coming down with it. We’ve seen Prescott develop instant chemistry with players before—Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, even CeeDee Lamb—so seeing it materialize this early is a good sign. If Prescott can build trust with Pickens now, it could help smooth out the offense and reduce those typical early-season hiccups.

Much has been made about Prescott’s limitations with more out-of-structure players, but I’ve never really bought that. What matters is giving him weapons he can trust, and that’s starting to take shape. Pickens is exactly the kind of downfield security blanket that Dak has been missing. And for a quarterback who just doesn’t extend plays the way he used to, a player like that is more than a luxury. It’s a necessity.

The good news? With Pickens, Prescott doesn’t have to extend the play. Just give him a chance, even in double coverage, and more often than not, he’ll make it work.

Standouts In The Secondary

Kaiir Elam’s name continues to come up as a player who’s stood out this offseason (just don’t watch last year’s AFC Championship Game). After a short and rocky stint in Buffalo, the former first-round pick is making a strong impression in Dallas. With Diggs and third-round pick Shavon Revel Jr. likely to start the year on the PUP list, the Cowboys need Elam to be ready now. He’ll be a name to watch when the team reports to training camp, and don’t be surprised if he’s starting at corner come Week 1.

Daron Bland is another name to keep an eye on. Bland was a first-team All-Pro corner in 2023 before missing ten games last year with a foot injury. With Jourdan Lewis now in Jacksonville, there’s a gaping hole at slot corner, and Bland has taken a lot of those reps. The wrinkle? Bland is in a contract year, and he’s going to want to get paid. Outside corners generally command higher salaries than nickel guys. Given how contract negotiations have played out with other Cowboys stars, this could become a point of contention.

Diggs signed a five-year, $97 million extension in 2023, and there’s every reason to believe Bland will look to exceed that. It’s definitely a situation to monitor as the season progresses.

One other name worth mentioning is Israel Mukuamu. Though he’s been used primarily as a safety in Dallas, he’s been taking reps at corner, where he played at South Carolina. That kind of versatility could give Matt Eberflus and the coaching staff another potential solution as they try to patch together a stable secondary.

Final Thoughts From Day 1 Of Dallas Cowboys Mandatory Minicamp

It’s early, and there’s only so much you can take away from mandatory minicamp. But even in a non-contact setting, you can spot signs of chemistry, leadership, and urgency. The Cowboys had perfect attendance, and that alone is a good start. With so many questions still to answer, this team will need to carry that same focus and intensity into training camp. If Dallas is going to rebound from last year’s disappointment, it starts with laying the foundation now.