There is a lot ot watch for in Oxnard, but maybe the depth chart at a certain position could take some by surprise.
Every NFL team has an "offseason darling," and for the Dallas Cowboys, there are a couple of candidates.
Hunter Luepke is one, and last year, it was receiver Traeshon Holden.
Having splashed at training camp and in the preseason games, Holden was in the running to land a spot on the Cowboys' roster in Brian Schottenheimer's first year as head coach.
But given the squeeze with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, Jonathan Mingo and others, Holden was relegated to the practice squad, where he stayed for the year.
There is no doubting he's got the tools to become a contributor for the offense, but getting Holden on the field in the regular season with Dallas' current weapons is a tricky assignment.
But Joe Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News noticed something interesting at offseason workouts before the Cowboys took their five-week break: Holden was a little higher on the depth chart than a year ago.
"Holden impressed in training camp last year before spending all of last season on the practice squad. Could the former undrafted free agent do it again? He might have the chance," Hoyt wrote.
"Holden appeared during minicamp to be higher in the wide receiver rotation than he was last year and, frankly, than was expected to start this offseason. There's going to be plenty of competition for the team's fifth wide receiver spot. Holden should be considered a viable candidate, especially if he can consistently make the most out of chances in training camp."
Now we're ready for Oxnard, with the team ready to work on July 28. And looking at Dallas' current depth chart, there could be an avenue for Holden.
Lamb, Pickens, Flournoy, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, KaVontae Turpin, Anthony Smith, Mingo, and Holden are what is currently projected.
So, the battle for the fifth receiver (Lamb, Pickens, Flo, MVS, and Turpin the first four) is a battle that Traeshon could win.
Mingo hasn't proved anything since being traded for, and Smith is a rookie. So, you can make the case that Holden, out of those three, has the best chance at making the roster.
Of course, this is all predicated on him continuing to stack good days of production in Oxnard as he did a year ago, but there is definitely a chance for Holden to make a name for himself.
The door of opportunity has swung open. Can Traeshon walk through it?
