The Dallas Cowboys’ first preseason game of the Brian Schottenheimer era is in the books, and the result was a mixed bag. Unsurprisingly, no starters played, and Dallas was largely vanilla in their schemes. The team started awfully slow, and came on a bit in the second half, but still lost the game. Not that wins and losses matter in preseason.
What does matter is how individual players performed, as that will help guide these coaches in three weeks when they have to cut down from 90 players to just 53. In the spirit of helping them out, here’s a roster projection based off where the team stands after that game.
Quarterback
Dak Prescott
Will Grier
Joe Milton
We all know Dak Prescott is the unquestioned starter here, but this game was supposed to cement Joe Milton as the unquestioned backup quarterback. Instead, it left us with more questions than answers.
Milton never really looked comfortable in this game. Far too often, he was throwing lasers when he needed touch passes, and his accuracy suffered as a result. He completed just 58.6% of his passes with a touchdown and a pick. There’s no questioning his arm strength and mobility, but Milton didn’t do much to inspire confidence in himself if he ever has to start a game this year.
Further complicating things is the fact that Will Grier came in and looked much better, albeit in limited work. He completed two of his three passing attempts and ran in for a late touchdown. Grier has an admittedly lower ceiling than Milton, but on Saturday night he looked more like the guy you’d want to turn to if anything ever happens to Prescott.
Running back
Miles Sanders
Javonte Williams
Jaydon Blue
Hunter Luepke
Javonte Williams didn’t suit up in this one, which is probably telling, especially after Schottenheimer had previously noted how important preseason reps are for evaluating running backs. Miles Sanders has been fighting a nagging injury and did not play. Both veterans have looked good in training camp thus far, so it’s hard to imagine either of them being on the bubble right now.
Jaydon Blue was held out after suffering a minor injury, which is unfortunate after the rookie garnered praise from Schottenheimer and other coaches in recent weeks. Instead, we got to see plenty of Deuce Vaughn, Phil Mafah, and recently-signed Malik Davis.
All three looked good, but it’s hard to say that any of them made a strong case to make the roster yet, especially with the top three seemingly cemented. Hunter Luepke also seems like a lock, with Schottenheimer praising his versatility several times, which makes this room all the more crowded.
Wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
KaVontae Turpin
Jalen Tolbert
Jonathan Mingo
Traeshon Holden
If Schottenheimer really wants to carry four true running backs, he’d likely have to go light here. That’ll be difficult to do, though. The top four are pretty much set: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and KaVontae Turpin all sat out Saturday, and while Jalen Tolbert suited up, Schottenheimer has been positive about him this camp.
After those four, it’s a bit more even. Jonathan Mingo helped draw some flags Saturday with his size and physicality, and it’s hard to imagine the Cowboys quitting on him a few months after trading for him. Jalen Brooks and Ryan Flournoy both had their moments, too, but undrafted rookie Traeshon Holden – who has been impressing in camp – led the team in yards with just two catches. He clearly caught the head coach’s eye, too.
Tight end
Jake Ferguson
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Luke Schoonmaker
Jake Ferguson was a lock even before his contract extension, and Brevyn Spann-Ford was getting first team reps before his injury that will sideline him a couple more weeks. Luke Schoonmaker didn’t stand out too much on Saturday, but his floor is too high to get rid of, unless via trade.
The Cowboys may be tempted to go heavier here, especially with offensive coordinator Klayton Adams expected to use more 13 personnel, but that’s where the versatility of Hunter Luepke comes into play. The Cowboys have used him as a tight end, both in previous seasons and in camp this year, and that could lead to a lighter tight end room as a result.
Offensive line
Tyler Guyton
Tyler Smith
Cooper Beebe
Tyler Booker
Terence Steele
Brock Hoffman
T.J. Bass
Nate Thomas
La’el Collins
The top five are all locks. Tyler Guyton may miss the first game with a knee injury, but he’ll be the top option when healthy. Questions emerge with regards to depth, especially after free agent signee Rob Jones was just placed on the injured reserve.
Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass are both well-liked internally. Hoffman can play all three interior spots, Bass has made starts at both guard spots, and the latter has seen work at tackle in practices. Both seem like locks at this stage.
On the outside, Nate Thomas was notably the first man up in practice when Guyton went down. The second-year pro has earned rave reviews for his physicality and technical improvement. Veteran La’el Collins was brought back into the fold after Guyton’s injury, and it would be surprising if the reunion happened just to cut him a few weeks later.
The Cowboys could seek to go 10 deep here, especially with promising players like Asim Richards and Ajani Cornelius there alongside veterans Hakeem Adeniji and Saahdiq Charles. In the end, though, they may need more bodies elsewhere.
Defensive tackle
Osa Odighizuwa
Mazi Smith
Solomon Thomas
Jay Toia
We know Osa Odighizuwa is going to be the all-important 3-technique for Matt Eberflus, while both Mazi Smith and Solomon Thomas offer valuable rotational roles. The question is how deep Eberflus wants to be on the interior, especially knowing Odighizuwa will be receiving a very healthy portion of snaps.
Rookies Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote got plenty of work Saturday, and veteran Perrion Winfrey has flashed in practices. The guess here is Eberflus will opt to go lighter in order to carry more edge rushers, in which case picking the young but versatile Toia is the play.
Defensive end
Micah Parsons
Dante Fowler
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Marshawn Kneeland
Sam Williams
James Houston
Obviously, we’re making the assumption that Micah Parsons will be on the roster in Week 1, which technically is not a given with the current status of things. The Cowboys certainly want him there (though, apparently, not bad enough to simply speak with his agent), so we’re including him for sake of argument.
Behind Parsons, there are some rather obvious locks as well. Dante Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland and Donovan Ezeiruaku are all but guaranteed, while Sam Williams is probably less automatic but still very likely roster players.
Here’s where it gets interesting, though. Eberflus loves having a deep stable of edge rushers, and he’s got several situational options in James Houston, Payton Turner, Tyrus Wheat, and Earnest Brown IV. That’s why Dallas might be tempted to go deep here. For what it’s worth, Houston was active Saturday, getting incredibly close to a sack several times. For now, he gets the nod.
Linebackers
Jack Sanborn
Marist Liufau
Kenneth Murray
Damone Clark
Shemar James
While nothing is official, it seems likely that DeMarvion Overshown will begin the season on the PUP list, which is why he’s not included here. The likely starters behind him, Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray, both sat for Saturday’s game. But Marist Liufau didn’t, and his play was so impressive that it begs the question of whether he should be joining Sanborn and Murray next week.
After Liufau, Damone Clark continues to look uneven but more effective than he was last year, while rookie Shemar James is starting to turn heads. Both Buddy Johnson and Darius Harris looked really good, too, and they might be able to push for a roster spot if they keep it up.
Cornerback
DaRon Bland
Kaiir Elam
Israel Mukuamu
Kemon Hall
Zion Childress
Like with Overshown, we’re making some injury assumptions here. First is that Trevon Diggs begins the year on the short-term injured reserve, while Shavon Revel might start on the PUP list after suffering a setback in his recovery from a torn ACL. Then there’s Caelen Carson, who hyperextended his knee last week and could potentially get stashed on the injured reserve. That’s a lot of guesswork to get out of the way here.
DaRon Bland and Kaiir Elam have both solidified themselves as the top two corners right now, though it’s not entirely clear if Bland will primarily play outside or in the slot. Israel Mukuamu, who seems to have transitioned back to his college position of cornerback, looked good on Saturday, with an impressive interception showing off his playmaking ability.
Kemon Hall has seen ample work in the slot when Bland plays outside, and the team may view him as their top backup inside right now, which could secure his spot. Then there’s undrafted rookie Zion Childress, who’s cracked the first team in practices recently and just keeps making plays. Unless he starts to fall off, or one of the many injured corners makes a sudden recovery, it’s hard to imagine Childress isn’t on this roster in Week 1.
Safety
Malik Hooker
Donovan Wilson
Juanyeh Thomas
Markquese Bell
Is there any explanation needed here? Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson are primed to be the starting safety duo for another season, with Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell offering valuable depth behind them. It would be a bit of a surprise to see anyone else at this position for that reason.
Special teams
Brandon Aubrey
Bryan Anger
Trent Sieg
C.J. Goodwin
Again, is there any explanation needed? Brandon Aubrey has officially taken over as the league’s best kicker, and both Bryan Anger and Trent Sieg are steady hands at their respective positions. C.J. Goodwin may be in remote danger without John Fassel in the building, but the 35-year old hasn’t slowed down as a special teams ace.
