As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for the 2025 NFL season with training camp kicking off in Oxnard, California, the team is embroiled in a whirlwind of speculation and roster drama. While the front office’s slow negotiations with star linebacker Micah Parsons dominate headlines, a more pressing issue looms: the potential trading of four veteran players whose roster spots are far from secure. With younger talent pushing for playing time, these Cowboys could be on the move before Week 1. Here’s a look at the four players who might be packing their bags—and why fans might be stunned.

Damone Clark, Linebacker

Linebacker Damone Clark, once a standout with 109 tackles in 2023 under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, found himself relegated to the bench when Mike Zimmer took over in 2024, managing just 28 tackles. Now in his fourth season, Clark is fighting to prove his worth under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Early camp reports suggest he’s holding his own, but the arrival of linebackers Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn has intensified the competition. If Clark can’t secure a starting role, the Cowboys may look to trade him to a team needing linebacker depth, making him a surprising trade candidate for a player who once seemed like a cornerstone of the defense.

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Mazi Smith, Defensive Tackle

The selection of Mazi Smith in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft raised eyebrows, and the Michigan product has yet to silence his critics. Despite showing some improvement under Zimmer in 2024, according to former Cowboys assistant defensive line coach Greg Ellis, Smith’s fit in Eberflus’ scheme remains uncertain. With rookie Jay Toia emerging as a potential run-stopper, Dallas might consider cutting their losses with Smith. A trade could give the young defensive tackle a fresh start elsewhere, but his inclusion on this list is sure to shock fans who expected more from a first-round pick.

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Luke Schoonmaker, Tight End

Another 2023 draft pick, tight end Luke Schoonmaker, has struggled to live up to his second-round billing. While he showed progress in 2024 with 27 receptions for 241 yards and a touchdown, Schoonmaker remains a question mark heading into his third season. The rise of Brevyn Spann-Ford, who is challenging for the TE2 role, puts Schoonmaker’s roster spot in jeopardy. If Spann-Ford outshines him in camp, the Cowboys could explore trading Schoonmaker to a team in need of a developmental tight end. His potential departure would mark another misstep in Dallas’ 2023 draft class.

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Jalen Tolbert, Wide Receiver

Perhaps the most surprising name on this list is wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, who stepped up in 2024 with 49 receptions for 610 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite his solid performance, the Cowboys’ recent trade for George Pickens has raised questions about Tolbert’s long-term role. NFL analyst Bryan Broaddus, speaking on his show with Voch Lombardi, suggested that the acquisition of Pickens signals a lack of confidence in Tolbert’s consistency. With players like Jonathan Mingo, Ryan Flournoy, Parris Campbell, and rookie Traeshon Holden vying for bigger roles, Tolbert could slide into a WR3 position—or be traded if a younger receiver proves ready to step up. Fans who saw Tolbert as a rising star will be floored by this possibility.

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What’s Next for the Cowboys?

As training camp unfolds, these four players will be under intense scrutiny. The Cowboys’ front office, already under fire for their handling of Parsons’ contract, must weigh the value of veteran experience against the promise of younger, cheaper talent. If Clark, Smith, Schoonmaker, or Tolbert fail to secure their spots, trades could reshape Dallas’ roster before the season kicks off. For fans, the idea of losing players once seen as key pieces—especially Tolbert—will sting, but it’s a reminder of the NFL’s cutthroat nature. Stay tuned to Oxnard, as the Cowboys’ roster battles could lead to some blockbuster moves.