No. 3 WR – Kevin Ogletree vs. 5 youngsters. This isn’t a one-on-one matchup at all, but since Kevin Ogletree is the only non-starter at receiver with an NFL reception, he has to be the leader of the pack. But Ogletree enters his fourth season and has yet to turn the proverbial corner just yet. Many people think if Ogletree isn’t the No. 3 receiver, he won’t be on the team at all. But this spot is even more important now with Dez Bryant facing a possible suspension stemming from his domestic violence arrest on July 16. The No. 3 receiver could be a starter for the Sept. 5 opener in New York. But a group of young players such as Dwayne Harris, Andre Holmes, Raymond Radway, Danny Coale and Cole Beasley should get plenty of chances to stand out from the pack. All of those five players have a combined zero catches in the NFL.
Safety – Brodney Pool vs. Barry Church. The Cowboys signed Pool in the offseason as one of seven free agent veterans but it was clear that his roster spot isn’t guaranteed. In fact, if he doesn’t win the job, he might not make the team. He’s considered an insurance policy but he does have an advantage in that he played in Cleveland under current DC Rob Ryan and DB coach Jerome Henderson. But Church has flashed talent the last two seasons and seems to thrive in every situation the Cowboys have placed him in. If it’s a 50-50 split in the reps, Church might win out. The wild card here is rookie Matt Johnson, who is behind because school obligations prevented him from practicing all summer. And now he’s got a hamstring issue that will limit him early in camp. But the Cowboys are pulling for him to come on quick.
Right Guard – Mackenzy Bernadeau vs. David Arkin vs. Ronald Leary. It’s a three-man race at the moment, although Bernadeau will start camp on PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) with a hip injury that has kept him out all summer. Once he returns, he’ll get plenty of chances to win the job. He’ll likely be competing with the guy who performs the best here in the first week of camp between Arkin and Leary. The favorite in that race is Leary, a rookie from Memphis who is making the transition from guard but hasn’t had much problem. Still, Bernadeau was given a four-year, $11 million contract for a reason. So it’ll take a monster effort from someone to unseat him from the job, assuming he returns in time to win it.
Stay dialed in on the Dallas Cowboys on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLDAL throughout the season with on-site updates from CBSSports.com RapidReports correspondent Nick Eatman.
