The Dallas Cowboys are headed into minicamp workouts soon and the contract for Dez Bryant remains a priority for the team, as the side have until mid-July to agree to a long term deal and this comes as Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle are set to compete to start at running back this summer for Tony Romo, while La'el Collins has gotten a long look on the offensive line.
The Cowboys used the franchise tag on Bryant earlier this offseason and they let DeMarco Murray go to the Eagles over signing him to a major contract. There has not been much movement on the contract front for Bryant and the Cowboys, but Bryant showed up to OTA workouts and that could be a sign of things to come. According to the Dallas Morning News, Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said that the team is going to "make a push" to get a deal done before the deadline comes up this summer.
The Cowboys also have some positional battles to deal with in camp as well, as Darren McFadden was signed in free agency to help replace Murray and he could get the chance to start with Joseph Randle. Last season Randle was effective with limited carries and he could be pushed as the feature back by Jason Garrett. Jerry Jones has said that the team is satisfied with the makeup of the roster at running back and they just added Lache Seastrunk as a free agent.
Randle opened up OTA workouts getting the "majority" of first team reps, according to ESPN Dallas. McFadden is dealing with a sore hamstring and that kept him out of some practices along with Ryan Williams. The team added Seastrunk and they also have Lance Dunbar on the roster. La'el Collins was signed as an undrafted free agent and he may get the chance to start for the Cowboys. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Collins has lined up at guard and tackle in camp workouts and he could see time as a starter if the team deals with injuries.
Earlier in the offseason it was reported that Bryant was unhappy getting the franchise tag, but him showing up to offseason workouts is a good faith move by the wide receiver. Other players like Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston have completely been away from their team activities while on the franchise tag and heading into mandatory minicamp it will be interesting to see who shows up.
Bryant likely will be in camp and the team wants to get a deal done with him, but it could take more time. In May it was reported that the Cowboys wanted "off the field protection" in the deal for Bryant and that aspect could be a sticking point for either side in negotiations.
Bryant would be making $12.82 million for one year on the franchise tag deal and Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas predicts that is the likely outcome for the wideout. Jones had a monster season after leading the league with 16 touchdowns catches and over the last three seasons he has had more than 40 TD grabs and has not missed a game. Bryant had 88 catches for 1320 yards last season and that is his third straight year with at least 85 catches, 1200 yards and double digit touchdown receptions.
