The Seven Rookie Deals Are Done, But The Cowboys' Left Tackle Job Is Up For Grabs Already

Alright, so we're seeing some early action from out east, and while our focus is always on the Emerald City's finest, it's always good to keep an eye on the competition, right? Big news out of Dallas, they locked up their first-round pick, Malachi Lawrence, to his rookie contract. Boom, done deal. That means all seven of their 2026 NFL Draft picks are officially signed and sealed. That's a lot of fresh faces getting ready to make an impact, and honestly, getting all your rookies under contract this early is a pretty smooth move. It gives them maximum time to get acclimated before things really heat up. Good for them, I guess. Every team wants their future locked in, especially when you're looking to build for a run, but signing papers is just the first step.

Who's Stepping Up at Left Tackle?

But hold up, because even with all those new deals, there's already some serious competition brewing in Big D, especially on that offensive line. Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer dropped the news that Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas are going head-to-head for the starting left tackle job. You know that's a critical spot, setting the tone up front for any offense. For a team with aspirations, you want that position to be rock solid. Guyton, for his part, sounds like he's ready for the fight, saying his approach is to "come to work every day" and "try to get better." That's the mindset you want to hear from a guy fighting for a starting role, absolutely, but it also signals that the position isn't exactly settled. For a squad aiming for contender status, you'd hope for a clearer picture there, maybe even a dominant performer already stepping out. These early battles, even in the offseason, tell you a lot about the depth, the challenges, and the leadership emerging.

Early Health Checks and Missing Pieces

Speaking of early looks, health is always the biggest storyline this time of year, and the Cowboys are no different. Coach Schottenheimer also gave an update on when we can expect key defensive players DaRon Bland and Donovan Ezeiruaku to get back on the field. Details are light, but getting core defensive pieces back in the mix is crucial for any team looking to make a run. You need your best guys out there, simple as that. On a slightly different note, Pro Bowl receiver George Pickens has been a no-show for the voluntary portions of their offseason work. Now, it's voluntary, so it's not a panic situation, but you always want your top guys around if they can be. Schottenheimer did offer a "promising update" on Pickens, which should ease some minds down there. Still, it's something to track as teams ramp up towards the season; every rep counts for chemistry and timing, especially with new faces.

So, what does all this early activity mean for them? Well, they're already scheduling a joint practice against Myles Garrett and the formidable Rams, plus the Saints. They're clearly looking to sharpen things up and test their mettle early. These initial moves, the rookie signings, the position battles, the health updates, it all paints an emerging picture of what they're building towards for the upcoming season. We, the 12s, will definitely be watching to see how it shakes out for them, and if these early developments actually translate to real success on the field.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.