The Dallas Cowboys returned home for the [second preseason game of the year.](https://thelandryhat.com/2-winners-and-2-losers-from-cowboys-preseason-loss-to-ravens) Needless to say, players not projected to be in the starting lineups should be concerned about losing their jobs. The defense forced two turnovers, one actually being a scoring play with Andrew Booth's interception return, but the offense showed little to nothing for the majority of the game.
In a game that means a lot to players fighting for roster spots or needing evaluation, some are clearly not showing improvement week to week. If those trends continue, not only will they fall down on the team's depth chart but there will be no place for them on this team.
These players are slipping down the depth chart following Saturday's loss.
3 players falling down the depth chart after loss to the Ravens
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### 1\. Earnest Brown
Pretty much every defensive lineman who took the field against the Ravens struggled for most of the game. Earnest Brown played for the majority of the game and showed little improvement from last week. He showed a lot of side-stepping, allowing Ravens running backs to hit the holes quickly.
Brown has been mostly seen playing 3-tech in the interior of the defensive line. Based on Dallas' need to find answers to sure up their run defense, giving him plenty of reps there is not surprising. Brown had two tackles and a quarterback hit in the game, but did little to help the run defense slow down Baltimore. As a team, the Ravens rushed for 148 yards.
While players higher than Brown on the depth chart like Mazi Smith deserve to slip as well, the likelihood of doing that remains low that Brown would start over him. Rookie Jay Toia also showed growth in game two.
With other players making more of their opportunities, the odds do not look too good for Brown to be on this roster when the preseason is done. It should not be surprising if other players on the defensive line get more playing time next week.
### 2\. Jalen Cropper
Joe Milton had a horrible day throwing the football. That certainly did not help the young receivers fighting for a spot on the team. Jalen Cropper is in his third season with the Cowboys after spending most of his time on the practice squad. Now in year three, he continues to struggle while other receivers behind him make plays.
The play that stands out from the Ravens game came late in the first quarter. Milton threw one of his best passes of the day that might have kick-started the Dallas offense had it been caught. [Instead, Cropper dropped the ball while he was in mid-stride](https://x.com/Cowboyz_Plug/status/1956864537891946854). He had a step on his defender and while the safety was coming ready to make a hit, he should have held on to the ball.
Cropper looked like he hesitated when the safety started coming over. Instead of reaching out, he short-armed the ball. First-round pick Malachi Starks might have looked pretty intimidating coming in, but still. With all the receivers in camp this year, Cropper needs to take advantage of every ball thrown his way in preseason.
Another way Cropper is trying to make the team is on special teams. He has been one of the primary returners in the first two games. However, he has shown little to stand out there and undrafted rookie Josh Kelly is starting to get more chances back there.
Cropper is on the verge of not only falling down to the bottom of the depth chart but potentially being cut after the Falcons game. Dallas is still looking for their fourth and fifth receiver. Unfortunately, right now, Cropper is far from being that guy.
### 3\. Miles Sanders
If the Cowboys had to pick their opening day starter at running back right now, that would be Javonte Williams by default. While Williams has not played in the preseason, the other veteran brought in did. Miles Sanders saw his first action as a Cowboy and it was very forgettable.
Sanders did lead the team in rushing but that was only 15 yards. His second carry almost became a turnover as he struggled to get the handoff and lost five yards. The very next play, Milton was sacked in the end zone for a safety. Even for a preseason game, that set the tone for the day.
Sanders' next five carries were uneventful as he only averaged 2.1 yards for the day. For a free agent pickup Dallas is looking to rely on in the running game, it was a bad look even in preseason. What is also hurting Sanders is the younger backs have looked better in the preseason so far.
Phil Mafah once again had some runs where he broke tackles. Mafah arguably has earned the right to be considered as the third running back on the depth chart at least. If he outshines Sanders against the Falcons, Sanders might also have to worry about a roster spot at that point.
The Cowboys brought in Sanders to compete with Williams for the starting job. So far, he has done little to prove he should be getting at least half the carries on opening night.
While it might be a stretch to say Sanders is in danger of being cut, the Cowboys cut the majority of their running backs during the course of last season and some of them had experience. Sanders will fall victim to that unless he takes advantage of his remaining carries in the preseason.