FRISCO, Texas - Football season is getting closer and closer.
The Cowboys are set to depart for training camp in less a month. That's when we'll get the first up-close look at Brian Schottenheimer's first season with this revised roster and coaching staff. When we get to Oxnard, that's when we'll start to get some real answers about this 2025 Cowboys team.
But what are the questions? We've compiled our annual list of pressing questions that need answers heading into the regular season. The staff writers, consisting of Patrik Walker, Tommy Yarrish, Nick Eatman, Mickey Spagnola, Kyle Youmans and Kurt Daniels, weigh in on some of the pressing issues.
The Cowboys need to see growth with many young players, but usually the biggest jump for a player occurs from the first year to the second. That being said, today's question asks the writers just who will make the biggest Year 2 leap.
6) Who Makes Biggest Year-2 Jump?
Mickey: My guess is last year's first of two third round selections Cooper Beebe. While Beebe was solid earning the starting center role as a rookie, remember he was making the transition from playing guard at Kansas State throughout his career to playing center fulltime for the first time and at the NFL level, no less. Sure, he held his own in the middle, but the experience of starting 16 of the 16 games he played in 2024 becomes hugely beneficial. Better recognizing defensive fronts and anticipating movements to better aid him making complicated line adjustments. And guarantee you having worked in the Cowboys strength and conditioning program for the past four months will create a much stronger center taking on those behemoth nose tackles littering the NFC East.
Nick: I have a feeling the guy who is going to make the biggest leap is linebacker Marist Liufau. The Cowboys have added a pair of veterans in Murray and Sanborn but Liufau had a solid rookie year and could be ready to take a huge leap. Let's not forget how linebackers have always thrived in Eberflus' system and who is to say Liufau won't be the next one.
He's got speed and quickness that is unmatched and when he gets to the ball carrier, he delivers quite a pop. Last year, he was still finding his way but something tells me Liufau is ready for a big jump this year.
Kyle: It's hard to find someone more primed for a second-year jump than last year's first round pick Tyler Guyton. While playing 668 offensive snaps as a rookie, it was clear that the position change and transition from college to pro was tougher than expected for Guyton. But with a change in his diet and a renewed mentality on the offensive line, it feels like Guyton is charging towards a big leap in year two.
He struggled to stay healthy in his first training camp, so if he's fortunate enough to remain healthy when the team gets to Oxnard, he'll already be ahead of his progress from a season ago. Pair that with Tyler Smith to his right, Guyton could not only turn into a capable starter, but could become a legitimate force on the offensive line.
