Dallas enters Week 1 with five big questions: can Brian Schottenheimer unlock the offense, will the RB rotation click early, does Kenny Clark bolster Dallas’ run defense, how will the Parsons fallout reshape the defense, and who steps up at cornerback as Trevon Diggs returns on a snap count.

Dallas must bridge preseason gaps—Williams, Sanders, and Blue in the backfield; Bland and Elam stepping in for Diggs; and a young front seven adapting to Parsons’ departure while Matt Eberflus reshapes scheme. The opener versus Philadelphia will quickly reveal depth, coaching acumen, and fantasy implications.

Trevon Diggs is cleared from PUP and back on the active roster, a major lift for Dallas as they head into the opener vs. Philadelphia. With Kaiir Elam and Shavon Revel added and DaRon Bland slated to move inside, the Cowboys’ secondary looks far more formidable early in the season. Diggs’ return tightens coverage after two injury-plagued seasons, and Dallas will manage ramp-up time in Weeks 1–3 against Philly, the Giants, and the Bears.

The Cowboys now boast a potential top trio of corners with Diggs, Bland and Elam, plus Revel waiting in the wings. Diggs’ 2021 dominance—11 INTs—still echoes as the long-term ceiling remains elite. Dallas traded for Elam and drafted Revel to cushion an extended absence, and a healthier Diggs could unlock a more aggressive pass defense and a steadier back end.

The Dallas Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard produced five clear fantasy angles heading into 2025: Kaiir Elam cemented outside-Cornerback duties for a defense that could lean on him for Week 1 coverage; Donovan Ezeiruaku emerged as a game-ready pass rusher who should snag snaps even if he isn’t a full-time starter; George Pickens showed veteran-level consistency and blocking that keeps him locked into a peak target profile in an evolving offense; KaVontae Turpin is being groomed for a bigger, multi-position role that blends rushing and receiving; Jaydon Blue flashed explosive juice and first-team reps, positioning him as a late-season workload candidate if health cooperates.

Elam’s hold on the boundary bodes well for Cowboys IDP value, as his training-camp impact signals steady run defense and pass-sack opportunities. Ezeiruaku’s technique translates to more pressure on opponents’ tackles in passing downs, likely boosting his playtime in subpackages. Pickens’ consistency at receiver and run-blocking sharpens the Steelers’ offensive floor, even if volume fluctuates with quarterback play. Turpin’s usage expansion hints at a scalable fantasy ceiling in 2025, while Blue’s speed and early-rep exposure suggest the upside of a breakout RB3 as the season unfolds. Two preseason games remain to determine final depth charts, but the early signals position these five as must-watch for fantasy rosters and DFS lineups.