Training Camp Preview
Training camp is a place of optimism for fans. Teams are undefeated, and hopes are high for the season. For players, some are getting ready for the football season, and others are fighting each day to stick around. Here is what I am watching from every position group, now the safeties.
Cornerback Overview
Battle to Watch:
Is Malik Hooker still the de facto starter?
Biggest Question:
Did Dallas do enough to revamp this group from 2025?
Player Under the Most Pressure:
Markquese Bell
Sleeper to Watch:
P.J. Locke
Caleb Downs #13
Camp Storyline: Can Downs Revolutionize the Defense?
Where He Stands
Caleb Downs enters the NFL with as much hype as any Cowboys defensive back in years. The first-round pick out of Ohio State was widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the entire 2026 draft class because of his versatility, football IQ, and ability to impact every level of the defense. Dallas drafted him to become the centerpiece of Christian Parker’s new-look defense.
Downs’ first taste of NFL football came during OTAs, where the Cowboys immediately began moving him around the defense. He lined up at safety, in the slot, and near the line of scrimmage while learning Parker’s scheme. Veterans Malik Hooker and Jalen Thompson have already begun helping him adjust to the speed of the NFL, but it’s clear Dallas expects him to contribute immediately.
When the room cheered drafting Caleb Downs, they assumed they were getting a generational talent. He is here to become the centerpiece of Christian Parker’s defense. Parker has already made it clear that Downs will start at nickel, a position he considers one of the most important in his scheme. The nickel defender must be able to cover wide receivers like a cornerback, play zone coverage like a safety, and step into the box to support the run like a linebacker, according to coach Parker.
53-Man Outlook
★★★★★ – Roster Lock
Jalen Thompson #34
Camp Storyline: Will Thompson be the Key Piece?
Where He Stands
Jalen Thompson arrives in Dallas after seven productive seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Originally a supplemental draft selection in 2019, Thompson developed into one of the NFL’s more reliable safeties by combining physical tackling with strong instincts in coverage. The Cowboys signed him early in free agency to immediately upgrade one of the weakest areas on last year’s defense.
Despite Arizona’s struggles, Thompson remained one of the Cardinals’ most dependable defenders. He consistently played heavy snap counts and brought the type of veteran communication Dallas lacked during its difficult 2025 season. His familiarity with secondary coach Ryan Smith should also help ease his transition into Christian Parker’s defense.
Thompson may end up being one of the more important additions to Dallas’ defense this offseason. Before the Cowboys drafted Caleb Downs, it felt like Thompson was going to fill that versatile role by playing deep safety, in the slot, and down in the box. Now, with Downs in the mix, Christian Parker has even more flexibility. Thompson can settle into a more traditional safety role, or the Cowboys can move both players around the formation and create matchup problems for opposing offenses.
53-Man Outlook
★★★★★ – Roster Lock
P.J. Locke #1
Camp Storyline: Is Locke More Than Veteran Insurance?
Where He Stands
P.J. Locke arrives in Dallas after spending the past six seasons with the Denver Broncos. He was the starting safety during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Although he returned to more of a rotational role in 2025, Locke established himself as a physical, instinctive safety who isn’t afraid to play near the line of scrimmage despite being undersized for the position.
The Cowboys have made it clear they wanted to reshape the defense this offseason, and Locke is another example of the new coaching staff bringing in players they believe fit the scheme. His versatility and willingness to play downhill could allow him to compete for significant defensive snaps immediately. If he quickly earns the trust of Christian Parker, don’t be surprised if Locke opens the season as one of Dallas’ starting safeties.
Training camp could ultimately decide whether Locke is simply veteran depth or a legitimate starter. With Malik Hooker’s future becoming less certain and the safety room undergoing major changes, Locke has an opportunity to earn a much larger role than many expect.
53-Man Outlook
★★★★★ – Roster Lock(e)
Malik Hooker #24
Camp Storyline: Has the Time Passed for Hooker?
Where He Stands
Malik Hooker enters his sixth season with the Cowboys after rebuilding his career in Dallas. A former first-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2017, Hooker arrived in 2021 looking for a fresh start after injuries limited his early years. Since then, he has become a steady presence at free safety, starting games over the past five seasons and providing veteran leadership in the secondary. While no longer the explosive athlete he was coming out of college, Hooker has remained a dependable player with experience that younger defensive backs have leaned on.
Like much of Dallas’ defense, Hooker endured a frustrating 2025 season. Although Hooker remained the starting free safety, the organization spent the offseason reshaping the position by signing veteran Jalen Thompson and drafting Caleb Downs in the first round. Hooker also restructured his contract this offseason, accepting a more team-friendly deal as he enters his age-30 season.
The Cowboys clearly value his leadership, but with Thompson and Downs expected to play major roles, Hooker could find himself competing for just a backup role. Is there still a place for one of Dallas’ longest-tenured defensive backs, or has the clock run out?
53-Man Outlook
★★★☆☆ – On the Bubble
Markquese Bell #14
Camp Storyline: Where Does Bell Fit?
Where He Stands
Markquese Bell enters his fifth season with the Cowboys after carving out a unique role since joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of Florida A&M in 2022. Throughout his career, Bell has always picked up odd jobs for Dallas, having to play as an undersized linebacker and even nickel corner when injuries forced the coaching staff to get creative. His physical playing style and willingness to do whatever was asked made him a valuable piece of the defense during his first few seasons.
Bell didn’t have as much of a defined role in 2025. He was a clear-cut special teams player who appeared on a majority of snaps. Christian Parker may be able to find creative ways to use Bell closer to the line of scrimmage.
Training camp could determine whether Bell still has a place in Dallas’ long-term plans. He’ll have to prove he still offers something this defense needs. Otherwise, he could find himself battling simply to keep a roster spot.
53-Man Outlook
★★★☆☆ – On the Bubble
Alijah Clark #38
Camp Storyline: Is Clark a Special Teams Lock?
Where He Stands
Alijah Clark enters another training camp looking to continue proving he belongs in the NFL. The former undrafted free agent signed with Dallas in 2025. While he wasn’t expected to contribute immediately, Clark impressed the coaching staff enough to remain in the organization’s plans throughout the year.
His opportunity came sooner than expected. Injuries and inconsistent play ahead of him opened the door for Clark to appear in six games during the 2025 season. Although his defensive snaps were limited, he made one of the biggest special teams plays of the year when he forced a fumble on a punt against the Eagles, giving Dallas possession deep in Philadelphia territory. It’s the type of high-effort play every special teams coordinator loves to see, and one that likely caught the attention of special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen.
One memorable play won’t guarantee him a roster spot, but it’s certainly the kind of tape that can earn a player another opportunity. If Clark continues to flash that same effort throughout training camp and the preseason, he could quietly work his way into the conversation for one of the final roster spots.
53-Man Outlook
★☆☆☆☆ – Practice Squad candidate
Julius Wood #32
Camp Storyline: Can Wood Continue His Rise?
Where He Stands
Julius Wood was brought in as a UDFA in 2024. He was cut on roster cutdown day with the intention of keeping him on the practice squad. Unfortunately for Dallas, the Tennessee Titans swooped in and signed him to their 53-man roster. But he was made available again in 2025 and has spent the past season back on Dallas’ practice squad.
Last season was mostly about learning and earning trust. While Wood didn’t see a large defensive role, he continued developing behind veteran safeties and contributed on special teams whenever called upon. With Juanyeh Thomas no longer on the roster, there could be additional opportunities available this summer.
He can quietly climb the depth chart by being an active special teams member and making plays when his name is called upon. It gets difficult down the chart at safety as teams usually only keep 3-4 safeties.
53-Man Outlook
★☆☆☆☆ – Practice Squad candidate
Zion Childress #48
Camp Storyline: Can Childress Find a Role?
Where He Stands
Zion Childress signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2025 and quickly became a fan favorite during training camp thanks to his physical play and consistent effort. Although he didn’t make the initial 53-man roster, the Cowboys thought highly enough of him to keep him on the practice squad as a developmental safety.
The Houston Texans signed him off Dallas’ practice squad to their active roster. He appeared in three games with Houston before the Texans eventually released him. Once he became available, the Cowboys wasted little time bringing him back, re-signing him to the practice squad to continue his development in the organization. While he didn’t make a major impact on Sundays, the fact that Dallas wanted him back speaks volumes about how the coaching staff views his potential.
Now, Childress finds himself competing under an entirely new coaching staff. He already knows what it takes to earn the attention of the organization after a strong rookie training camp, but he’ll have to do it all over again. The safety room is much deeper this year, making the climb even steeper. If Childress wants to stick in Dallas long-term, he’ll likely need to carve out a role on special teams while proving he’s still worth investing in as a developmental defensive back.
53-Man Outlook
★☆☆☆☆ – Practice Squad candidate
My Projection
Depth Chart
FS
- Caleb Downs #13
- Jalen Thompson #34
- Alijah Clark #38
SS
- P.J. Locke #1
- Malik Hooker #24
Practice Squad
- Julius Wood #32
- Zion Childress #48
Misses the Cut
- Markquese Bell #14
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