Cowboys Preseason: KaVontae Turpin Among 3 to Watch at Seahawks
The Dallas Cowboys are looking to make their mark in the win column as they travel to the Pacific Northwest for a preseason showdown with the Seattle Seahawks at 9 p.m. CT from Lumen Field.
With several positional battles continuing to take shape, the Cowboys will continue to use each opportunity to learn, improve and prepare for the upcoming regular season.
Though a handful of Dallas’ most notables are expected to garner some attention during this upcoming matchup, here are three players that might raise an eyebrow when the Cowboys take the field against the Seahawks.
Luke Schoonmaker
Though a bout with plantar fasciitis kept him from the field to start training camp, the Cowboys second-round selection (No. 58 overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft has returned to the field and is ready to contribute. In the Cowboys 28-23 preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Schoonmaker caught his only target for eight yards, while seeing most of his snaps as a blocker. Still, the Michigan product projects as a strong fit in coach Brian Schottenheimer’s 12-personnel designs as a weapon off of play-action.
The 6-6, 250-pound tight end is at his best when attacking up the seams, in the flats, or on crossing routes. Should Schottenheimer or coach Mike McCarthy utilize Schoonmaker in such a role, he may find the field more often alongside incumbents Jake Ferguson and the battling Peyton Hendershot and John Stephens, Jr. Still, he might find himself most-valued as a stout blocker in the run game at the pro level.
KaVontae Turpin
Despite the speculative undercurrent surrounding his future with the club, recent indications are that Turpin will be the Cowboys' primary kick returner this season. The ex-USFL MVP was arguably the NFL’s best return man in 2022, compiling 811 return yards, while averaging 24.2 and 10.4 on kick and punt runbacks respectively. For his efforts, the TCU product was rewarded with a Pro Bowl selection in his first NFL season.
Still, Turpin has undoubtedly felt a bit of pressure in light of the electric play of rookie running back Deuce Vaughn. The 27-year-old remains determined to maintain his place within the Cowboys hierarchy both in the return game, and as a pass catcher. As such, expect him to see more than a handful of snaps at receiver against the Seahawks.
DaRon Bland & Co.
Despite the addition of former All Pro Stephon Gilmore, Bland still factors prominently into Dallas’ defensive backfield. Last season, the 24-year-old earned 54 total tackles, seven passes-defensed and five interceptions. ... and we wonder if that means he's reached a level at which McCarthy should include him among the Dak Prescott-led group of 25 or so Cowboys who will be kept in mothballs here.
Known primarily for his prowess in defending slot receivers, Bland also demonstrates a sound ability to make tackles downfield, and even along the perimeter. However, the 6-0, 197-pound cornerback should see an increase in his usage when defending “big slot” targets, especially against Seattle’s speedster receivers. Accordingly, expect Bland - if he plays - to increase his two-tackle total from last week’s loss to the Jags in this matchup.
But maybe bigger than that, in the moment: The DBs who have much more to prove. That goes for Kelvin Joseph and Eric Scott Jr. and others ... and we're hoping that's the way the coaching staff leans here when it comes to snaps.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.
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