The Cowboys are back on the field, and their preseason opener against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks gives fans their first real look at a roster with plenty of new faces. For Dallas, this isn’t just about shaking off the offseason rust. It’s a chance for a handful of fringe starters and rookies to start carving out real roles before the games count.
A few players in particular could make this first exhibition matter more than most. The depth chart still has room to move, and what happens against Seattle could shape how the Cowboys sort out the back end of the roster.
Jaydon Blue is one of the names worth tracking closely. The former Texas standout spent most of his rookie year sidelined while Javonte Williams rose into the picture, and now he’s trying to climb back into the conversation.
Blue needs a strong preseason if he wants to force touches once the regular season starts. A rough showing would only make it harder for him to move up, especially after he lost a fumble in Tuesday’s joint practice against the LA Rams.
Jaishawn Barham is another rookie with a lot riding on these games. Dallas sees his style as one that can be used in different ways, and if he’s fully recovered from his groin injury, the preseason should offer a preview of how the team plans to deploy him. Barham has been one of camp’s biggest standouts, and he’s already building momentum as a key piece in the linebacker room and a rotational blitzer in sub-packages.
On the offensive line, Nate Thomas has work to do. Guyton jumped out in the left tackle battle and kept that edge going against the Rams, leaving Thomas in the backup lane for now. The Cowboys still want to see more before giving him additional reps with the starting offense, but a solid preseason could put him in position to become the swing tackle this season.
Then there’s Malachi Lawrence, the player who may have the most to prove and the most intrigue around him. Lawrence entered the league with questions about how he’d hold up against the run, and the opener against Seattle is a good early test of that part of his game.
At the same time, his pass-rush traits have started to show up in training camp, and Dallas is beginning to see the outline of a rookie who could become a real impact player. The preseason should give fans a clearer read on what to expect from the former UFC star in year one.
In Other News...
Cowboys Suddenly Have A Backup RB Battle Twist To Watch
The backup running back picture got a little more interesting in the preseason opener against Seattle, when Phil Mafah went down with a chest injury and did not return. His exit came early enough to change the rotation, and Jaydon Blue picked up more playing time in Mafahs absence as Dallas kept sorting through its depth chart behind the top options.
Now the focus shifts to the next preseason game against Arizona, where Mafahs availability is in question until Brian Schottenheimer offers an update. For a roster spot that was already going to be decided on the margins, even a short-term setback can matter, especially with Blue getting a chance to make a case while the Cowboys wait to see how Mafah responds. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys RB2 Battle Suddenly Looks Very Different After One Preseason Game
The Cowboys preseason opener offered an early look at a running back group that suddenly feels a little more open than it did a week ago. Malik Davis was the most productive of the backups, flashing with limited touches while Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah were also trying to make their own case for roster and role consideration.
Davis did not get a carry until the third quarter, but he still finished with 39 rushing yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry, enough to stand out in a game where every snap mattered for the reserves. Mafahs night ended early after a chest injury, and with the battle for the second spot already worth watching, Dallas now has a clearer reason to keep sorting out who belongs where behind the top of the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys May Have Already Fixed A Defensive Problem Fans Hated
The Cowboys preseason opener offered one early sign that a long-frustrating problem might be moving in the right direction. After a defense that struggled badly with missed tackles a year ago, Dallas was noticeably cleaner in this exhibition, with several players helping set a sharper tone. Curtis Robinson and Julian Wood were among those involved in the effort, and the linebacker group is beginning to take shape as the staff works through its options.
Christian Parkers arrival has given that side of the ball a different feel, and the results so far suggest the Cowboys are trying to build something sturdier after last seasons defensive mess. There is still plenty of time for camp to test that progress, but the early signs around DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters and Justin Barron point to a unit that is at least trending toward being more disciplined and more reliable. [Read more 🡒]