It’s hard to believe, but the Dallas Cowboys will play a preseason game this weekend against the Los Angeles Rams. And while we don’t expect many of the starters to see the field, there are a number of players on both sides of the ball who should stand out.
With that in mind, here are three overlooked Cowboys that should have strong preseason performances
Nathan Thomas, LT
The Cowboys suddenly have a new left tackle, and it is Nathan Thomas. The seventh-round pick from Louisiana will get the first crack at replacing Tyler Guyton, who is set to miss the next 4-6 weeks with a bone fracture and a knee sprain. Dallas originally drafted Thomas to be a guard, but he has since moved back to his college position at left tackle.
Thomas doesn’t have quick feet, but he is incredibly strong and fits Klayton Adams’ run scheme well. Can he hold up well enough on the edge to be a legitimate option for Week 1? Or will the Cowboys need to put the much smaller Asim Richards back out at tackle? Time will tell, but this is a big opportunity for Thomas to show that the coaching staff can trust him in a starting role moving forward.
Phil Mafah, RB
We probably won’t see much of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in the preseason, but that opens up more snaps for Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. Blue has had a strong start to camp and figures to be a factor in the offense, but Mafah is fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. He is a talented runner, but he needs to prove that his lack of speed won't be a concern against NFL defenses.
The preseason should be where Mafah shines, as he is a no-nonsense runner and excels at breaking tackles. It’s hard to show that in practice, even when the pads come on, but expect Mafa to get a lot of work and hopefully prove that he deserves to be part of the running back rotation moving forward.
Perrion Winfrey, DT
One of the most concerning positions on the roster for the Cowboys is at defensive tackle. Mazi Smith has had an up-and-down camp as he tries to adjust to a new defense which prioritizes quickness and the ability to get up the field.
Solomon Thomas has been part of the rotation, but the Cowboys desperately need another defensive tackle to step up and help out in the run game.
Keep an eye on Perrion Winfrey during the preseason as he has flashed during the training camp practices. Coming from the UFL, Winfrey was one of the top defensive players in the league and has all the physical traits to be a starter in the NFL. But he needs to prove that he is worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster and he should see plenty of action in the preseason.
With a strong performance over the next three weeks, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him as part of the defensive line rotation as he has the size and length to play both defensive tackle spots in Matt Eberflus’ defense. Winfrey has an excellent opportunity to resurrect his career and play meaningful snaps for the Cowboys this season.