The Dallas Cowboys are heading into OTA workouts with rookies La'el Collins, Randy Gregory and Bryon Jones looking to make an impression and those players could push to start for head coach Jason Garrett and this comes with Dez Bryant likely absent from camp as he holds out for a long term contract and now AJ Jenkins also will be part of the mix after signing as a free agent.
The Cowboys have OTA workouts this week lasting until June 28 and the team picks up for more in early June before starting minicamp on June 16. That is a date to watch, as the minicamp is mandatory and that is the first chance for Bryant to really stay away from workouts. Bryant is not expected at OTAs and while team said they are not concerned, the clock is ticking on the sides agreeing to a deal. According to Pro Football Talk, the team has signed AJ Jenkins to a deal and he could get a chance to stick with the team through training camp.
Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram first reported the news about Jenkins, who had a tryout last week with the Cowboys. The Cowboys have been looking at a number of free agent players, including Felix Jones, Ben Tate and Daniel Thomas. The Cowboys worked out those players last week and one of them could be a potential addition for camp like Jenkins. The team picks up minicamp in June and has training camp the next month and if Jenkins remains with the team for that long, he can take advantage of the absence of Bryant.
The team has Bryant, Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams as the starters, but with Bryant out, Jenkins will get more chances to prove himself and he could be a better option over Devin Street, Chris Boyd or George Farmer. The team also has questions with Collins and the other rookies, as all three main players among Collins, Gregory and Jones have the potential to start. Morris Claiborne has been a disappointment and Jones could push into the starting secondary with Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr.
Gregory comes in as a second round pick out of Nebraska and with Greg Hardy being suspended for most of the season, he could step up this summer and push into the starting lineup. According to Todd Archer at ESPN, Collins will get the chance to start, as Jason Garrett said that the "best five" players will be starting on the offensive line. Collins could slot in at a guard or tackle position.
Jenkins likely will have to prove himself more than some other players after how he has performed for the Chiefs and 49ers, but he is a low risk, high upside option if he works out. Jenkins was a former first round pick for the 49ers and over the last two seasons he had put up just 17 catches. Jenkins has strong hands and good size and is just 25 years old, meaning he has potential. The Cowboys have not made any major moves at running back after bringing in Darren McFadden, but names like Tate, Jones or Thomas could be options for training camp behind Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams.
