The Dallas Cowboys pick up camp routine at The Star after Oxnard, with Micah Parsons’ hold-in status still front and center as they prepare for a final preseason date with Atlanta. Parsons’ absence in practice persists as contract talks roll on, though team ownership has repeatedly downplayed any changes to his five-year option and overall status. Parsons remains engaged in meetings and walkthroughs, keeping his influence on the defense alive even as he weighs the extension he’s seeking. Trevon Diggs is rehabbing his knee and watching from the sidelines, while interior disruption players like Osa Odighizuwa and DeMarvion Overshown rotate through drills. The Cowboys’ health and morale appear to hinge on how quickly Parsons can be aligned with a new deal, while the club readies a routine that blends camp chatter with game prep for Atlanta. Fantasy managers should watch Parsons closely for timing and availability, as any extension news could swing defensive expectations.

Jerry Jones has signaled nothing new on contract talks, keeping the hold-in narrative alive while Parsons remains under the fifth-year option at $21.3 million. The dynamic isn’t just about one player; it affects how the defense edges the season, how much Aron Draft stock or IDP value gets baked in, and whether Dallas leans on others to shoulder pass-rush duties while Parsons weighs his options. As Diggs rehabs and Odighizuwa circulates on the interior, the Cowboys’ roster decisions will shape preseason usage and fantasy upside in a division that demands edge pressure and lockdown coverage.

Dallas adds Michael Ojemudia to strengthen the cornerback group as camp injuries thin the depth chart. With Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel sidelined by knee issues, Dallas needs reliable veteran cover and a contributor on special teams, making Ojemudia a plausible Week 1 option. The Broncos’ 2020 third-round pick has bounced between NFL stints and a recent UFL run with DC Defenders, bringing a blend of man-press ability and run support that could help Dallas in multiple alignments. This move signals a push to maximize nickel packages and keep the outside corners fresh early in the season against Philadelphia.

Dallas has leaned into competition at slot and depth roles, with Kaiir Elam and DaRon Blandlock stepping into bigger responsibilities, and ISRAEL Mukuamu and Kemon Hall in reserve mix. Adding Ojemudia gives the Cowboys flexibility to rotate between outside and inside roles, potentially easing the burden on Andrew Booth as he pushes for a 53-man roster. For fantasy observers, the development adds a wrinkle to the Cowboys’ pass defense and could widen opportunity for a few sleepers in the secondary depending on the week-to-week rotation and health status of Diggs and Revel.

Dallas faces a higher-stakes 2025 season as questions pile up on both sides of the ball. A lead backfield battle — Javonte Williams atop the depth chart with Miles Sanders and a rookie push — could shape early game plans for Dallas’ offense, while an injury-plagued offensive line tests Schottenheimer’s rotation and coaching acumen. The big swing in the story, though, is the secondary. PFF’s 31st-ranked pass defense entering 2025 signals a potential mismatch, even with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland on the roster. Diggs’ knee rehab clouds Week 1 readiness, forcing others to step up quickly.

Dallas’ back-end depth is under the microscope: Diggs’ absence to start the year, Bland’s dip from previous All-Pro chatter, and the health of veterans Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson create a precarious safety net. Israel Mukuamu holds the nickel job, but rumors point to Kemon Hall or a youth infusion pressing for snaps. In this environment, the Cowboys must balance banged-up blockers with a vulnerable secondary, and ownership’s risk tolerance could decide how aggressively Dallas addresses it midseason.

In fantasy terms, the Cowboys’ 2025 arc boils down to three levers: health and usage of the backfield, line stability, and the ability of the secondary to stay above water when multiple pieces aren’t at peak. If Williams, Sanders, and the offensive line can anchor the run game, Schottenheimer’s plans can open through play-action and tempo. If not, Dallas may lean on a more conservative attack while the defense fights through early-season bumps, making depth charts and matchups crucial for weekly lineup decisions.

Dallas faces a defining season for its defense as Mazi Smith enters year three with a mandate to anchor the run stop. The club identifies two big holes—defensive tackle and cornerback—and while Jerry Jones hints at extra help, the responsibility to close the gap rests with Smith and a retooled unit. Smith stresses that the mental edge will unlock his physical tools, signaling a potential breakout if the head remains in the right gear.

Smith’s trajectory has been rocky—weight swings, three coordinators in three years, and a default 1-tech role. The piece suggests Matt Eberflus could be the catalyst for a meaningful leap if Smith buys into a consistent technique and situational discipline. With Trevon Diggs returning from injury and doors not fully closed on outside help, Dallas is betting on internal growth to steady the defense while preserving the 53-man setup.

The takeaway for fantasy eyes: watch Smith’s snap count and run-stopping success, plus Diggs’ health and how a fuller secondary reshapes the Cowboys’ defensive ceiling in early-season matchups.

The Oxnard camp snapshot centers on the Dallas Cowboys as Dak Prescott and a fortified group of pass-catchers and backs push toward 2025. Prescott’s timing looks sharp in practice, giving fantasy managers a sense of stability for a high-volume offense if the line holds. CeeDee Lamb appears as a trusted centerpiece, Luke Schoonmaker and Jake Ferguson show growing chemistry at tight end, and Jalen Moreno-Cropper surfaces as a promising depth weapon. In the backfield, Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn are refining roles behind Prescott, while Joe Milton’s pocket presence adds intriguing QB depth behind the starter.

On defense, Sam Williams makes a statement with a pick-6, and Damone Clark flashes as a fluid tackler, feeding late-round fantasy intrigue. DaRon Bland and Zion Childress are contesting nickel and cornerback reps, while Trevon Diggs deals with an injury scare that could reshape the secondary’s early-season plan. The camp also glosses over hold-in scenery and Jerry Jones’s health scare chatter, but the football chatter remains focused on development, depth, and the subtle shifts that could swing weekly fantasy values.