Biggest surprises & disappointments from Week 1 of training camp

One week of Dallas Cowboys training camp is in the books, so what are some of the biggest takeaways?

Josh Sanchez | Aug 1, 2024

Jul 31, 2024; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) pitches in front of quarterback Cooper Rush (10) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during training camp at the River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

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The Dallas Cowboys are enjoying an off day on Thursday, August 1, as a new month kicks off, but one week of training camp is already in the books.

There have been plenty of storylines to follow, most notably the contract drama hanging over the heads of the organization as CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott seek new deals, but there has also been action on the field that is catching everyone's eye.

Some players are exceeding expectations, while others have yet to break out, so let's take a look at some of the biggest takeaways from the first week in Oxnard.

First-round pick Tyler Guyton delivering in a big way

Tyler Guyton, Dallas Cowboys training camp

Jul 30, 2024; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Guyton (60) blocks during training camp at the River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

First-round pick Tyler Guyton didn't start off with the first-team unit, but after a few days of practice he was getting first-team reps. So far, he has not disappointed.

Guyton has gone head-to-head with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, proving he can hold his own against some of the league's best.

Following the team's first padded practice, veterans were singing the 6-foot-7, 330-pound behemoth's praises.

MORE: Cowboys rookies Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe praised by o-line expert

Tyler Guyton Locking down one of the best Defensive Players in the NFL AS A ROOKIE brings a smile to my face

pic.twitter.com/ULrBayRBKE
— JAE (@OkieFBfan) July 31, 2024

"I’ve been truly impressed. It’s not very often that you find a human being who measures how he does, 6-foot-7, 330, and has light feet and can just move and just bully dudes. When he really becomes confident and gets the playbook down and does all that stuff, the sky is truly is the limit for him and his development," former first-round pick Tyler Smith told Jon Machota of The Athletic.

They say iron sharpens iron, so it will be exciting to see how Guyton continues to develop going against an All-Pro like Parsons day in and day out in practice.

Young wide receivers stepping up

Jul 31, 2024; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Tyron Billy-Johnson (13) makes a catch during training camp at the River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

One of the top positional battles entering training camp for the Cowboys was WR3.

Outside of CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, the Cowboys had a stable of unproven players. But, with Lamb holding out of training camp, there have been even more opportunities for the younger players to step up, and they have done just that.

Jalen Tolbert, who entered camp as the favorite to win the job, has been a standout since the opening day of practice. He and Prescott worked out together in the offseason, and their chemistry is clear.

MORE: Cowboys training camp has surprise standout no one saw coming

Then, there are surprise players stepping up like Tyron Billy-Johnson.

Tyron Billy-Johnson has had a strong first two days of camp #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/zkHOENlWyD
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) July 26, 2024

The former Oklahoma State receiver has made several stops around the league, including brief stints with the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and San Francisco 49ers during his three-year career.

But now, in Dallas, he's making the most of his opportunity.

Tyron Billy-Johnson pic.twitter.com/575OnKp6Pg
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 28, 2024

He just can't stop getting open.

Trey Lance struggling to emerge as clear QB2

Trey Lance, Dallas Cowboys training camp

Jul 30, 2024; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) and head coach Mike McCarthy during training camp at the River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Leading up to training camp, the Dallas Cowboys brass let everyone know that Trey Lance was going to be given every opportunity to showcase his talents and emerge as QB2.

Through one week, the former top three pick has been unable to separate himself from veteran Cooper Rush and has shown clear struggles at times.

In the first few days of camp, Lance struggled with accuracy and was hesitant to throw the ball downfield.

MORE: Trey Lance training camp struggles continue with two brutal INTs

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When the players strapped on pads, Lance's struggles continued.

Lance has thrown some brutal interceptions, failing to locate defenders standing in passing lanes, and he has received concerning reviews from those in attendance.

Now, it is just one week of training camp so it's not time to press the panic button yet, but Lance will need to step up when the team returns to the field on Friday morning and when he's given opportunities in live game action during the preseason.