The Cowboys head into Friday’s preseason finale with the roster crunch hanging over everything. Dallas has to get from 90 players down to 53 by Sunday at 6 PM, and that means plenty of jobs are still up for grabs.
Against the New Orleans Saints, the spotlight falls on the guys fighting for one last chance. Some are trying to lock down a roster spot. Others are just trying to prove they deserve real reps somewhere, whether that’s on the active roster or the practice squad.
One of the most interesting battles is along the edge with Marist Liufau and Sam Williams. Dallas has plenty of bigger names helping lead the pass rush, with Rashan Gary and Von Miller giving the group veteran experience and Malachi Lawrence and Donovan Ezeiruaku bringing upside that could turn into double-digit sacks. That leaves the bottom of the chart to scrap for what’s left.
Williams has made a strong case so far. He’s had a solid camp and showed up in both preseason games, including a sack against the Arizona Cardinals last week.
Liufau hasn’t officially logged a preseason sack, but he has created pressure with his speed off the edge and has been a real asset on special teams. Williams brings more natural pass-rush ability, while Liufau offers more versatility because he can drop into coverage or move inside if needed.
Both are chasing James Houston as well, and the Cowboys should give Williams and Liufau extended snaps to settle the argument.
The running back picture is just as crowded. Early in camp, Jaydon Blue had the edge as the main backup to Javonte Williams, with Malik Davis trailing both Blue and Phil Mafah.
That has changed fast. Davis has stayed in the fight and has pushed hard for the RB2 job outright.
After the first preseason game, he looked like he had moved ahead of Blue, then backed it up with another strong showing against the Cardinals.
Blue answered with his own burst, flashing agility and speed on multiple highlight plays. He finished as the team’s leading rusher, and the two of them essentially played to a draw last Saturday.
There’s also the question of the final running back spot if Dallas keeps four backs along with Hunter Leupke. That puts Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda in the mix.
Mafah only had one carry last week, but he made it count by slipping a sure tackle for loss, changing direction, and sprinting past the Cardinals defense for a late touchdown. Abanikanda has had a strong camp too, showing speed in practice along with the strength to keep drives alive and the willingness to finish runs.
The two could split second-half reps as they make one last push.
At quarterback, Joe Milton still looks like the clear favorite for QB2. Through two preseason games, he’s been sharp: 75% completions, 286 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a 142.8 passer rating. His timing and touch have taken a noticeable step forward, and right now this is his job to lose.
Sam Howell isn’t out of it, but he needs a big night. He played well in the preseason opener and posted numbers that were almost identical to Milton’s, but the gap has opened since then. Don’t be surprised if Milton only gets a short run, maybe about a quarter, with Howell handling the rest.
The offensive line rotation is still being sorted out too, and that group has plenty to prove. The Cowboys will also be watching receivers Jonathan Mingo and Anthony Smith, who need to show up for Howell and are still trying to make the roster themselves.
For Howell, the margin is thin. He needs a huge performance against the Saints to keep the race alive.
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