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5 best training camp battles for Cowboys in 2019

By Mike Phillips

FRISCO, TX - MAY 22: Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs up the field during the Dallas Cowboys OTA on May 22, 2019 at The Star in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FRISCO, TX - MAY 22: Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs up the field during the Dallas Cowboys OTA on May 22, 2019 at The Star in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Dallas Cowboys strong safety Jeff Heath (38) looks at the ball on a punt return during the NFC Divisional Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams on January 12, 2019 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Dallas Cowboys strong safety Jeff Heath (38) looks at the ball on a punt return during the NFC Divisional Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams on January 12, 2019 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Strong Safety

The Cowboys’ defense is a definite strength, but they have made a few moves to try and improve it in the offseason. One of those moves was drafting Trysten Hill to push Maliek Collins up front, but another notable one was importing veteran safety George Iloka.

Iloka spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings, where he played a reserve role behind Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris. The Cowboys are probably more interested in Iloka’s strong track record when he was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, where he racked up nine interceptions and recorded at least 66 tackles in four of his last five seasons in the Queen City.

Iloka will be pushing the incumbent, Jeff Heath, for the starting job. Heath has been a steady tackler after taking over for the departed Barry Church in 2017, racking up 156 tackles over the past two seasons.

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Turnovers have also been a solid part of Heath’s game, who has registered four interceptions and forced four fumbles over the past two seasons. Heath also has tremendous value on special teams, spending a lot of time there in recent years.

While the Cowboys have gotten plenty out of Heath, the fact they decided to make a run at Iloka suggests they aren’t entirely happy with what they have in him. This battle is one of the most intriguing ones on the Dallas defense and one that is going to be critical to Dallas’ season.

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