While it is hard to put too much stock into a preseason game where the Dallas Cowboys hardly played any of their starters, they didn't improve much, if at all, compared to Week 1.
There was a lot to like on the defensive side, but Joe Milton once again made it hard to evaluate the team's pass-catchers. That unfortunately includes undrafted rookie Traeshon Holden, who led Dallas in receiving last week against the Rams, and was a consistent standout in Oxnard.
Many Cowboys fans maintain that Holden has done enough to make the 53-man roster. Jonathan Mingo's knee injury could end up saving him, but he might need a show-stopping performance this Friday against the Falcons to secure a spot.
Cowboys cut WR Traeshon Holden in 53-man roster prediction after preseason Week 2
Quarterback (3): Dak Prescott, Joe Milton, Will Grier
Would Milton or Grier be able to keep the ship afloat if Prescott went down? Probably not. The roster isn't on that level, but that might not matter when deciding the 53-man roster. Even if Milton did a 180 in Week 3, the Cowboys might play it safe and keep three quarterbacks.
That said, don't rule out a potential trade for an upgrade. The options are nothing to write home about, but there is no way the coaching staff feels good about the room behind Prescott.
Running back (4): Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Hunter Luepke, Phil Mafah
Williams didn't suit up on Saturday so he's locked in as RB1. On the flip side, Miles Sanders made himself expendable with a subpar showing against the Ravens' backups, rushing 7 times for 15 yards and displaying really poor vision.
The 28-year-old picked up a lot of momentum in training camp and looked at one point to jump Williams on the depth chart, but all of that is gone. His one saving grace might be if the Cowboys choose to keep two veterans or two rookies.
Wide receiver (6): CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Kavontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks
Again, keep an eye on Mingo's knee injury. He underwent an MRI for a potential PCL injury. How much time Mingo misses (if he has to go on the PUP list) could decide whether Holden makes the team.
For this exercise, we'll assume it's not that serious. That would see Holden just miss out in favor of Brooks, who caught his only target for 11 yards vs. the Ravens but has lined up as a first-team gunner on special teams. While Holden has more receiving talent than Brooks, special teams versatility carries a lot of weight for the last roster spots and Brooks has a clear leg up in that department.
Tight end (3): Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
The Cowboys probably are locked in with Ferguson, Spann-Ford and Schoonmaker, but fan favorite John Stephens looked pretty good after he was a healthy scratch in Week 1, catching a team-high three passes for 26 yards.
Stephens was listed ahead of vet Princeton Fant on Dallas' first two unofficial depth charts. Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope Stephens can sneak on with a strong finale.
Offensive line (9): Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, Nate Thomas, Brock Hoffman, Hakeem Adeniji, Ajani Cornelius
Sometimes reading between the lines isn't necessary. From left to right, the starting OL on Saturday was Nate Thomas, T.J. Bass, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker and Hakeem Adeniji. Bass eventually shifted inside to center, while Brock Hoffman rotated at all three interior spots and Adeniji didn't allow a pressure after a rough Week 1.
The top backups at left tackle and right tackle appear to be Thomas and Cornelius, respectively That leaves 2023 fifth-round pick Asim Richards as the odd man out. This unit is really deep and equally hard to predict so who makes it could be decided on Friday night.
Defensive tackle (5): Osa Odgizhiwua, Solomon Thomas, Mazi Smith, Perrion Winfrey, DT not currently on the roster
The Cowboys HAVE to bring in a new defensive tackle. If they do, that would send rookie seventh-round pick Jay Toia off the roster and hopefully to the practice squad.
While there is a lot to like about Toia, the consistency is not where it needs to be. He will generate push on one span, then be slow out of his stance and moved out of his gap on the next one. The UCLA product could benefit from a year on the practice squad.
Defensive end (6): Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland, Sam Williams, Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Houston
Much like Dallas has to bring in a new DT, they need to get Houston on the roster. He has been the most consistent pass rusher in preseason and it showed again vs. the Ravens as he finished with four (!) pressures, two quarterback hits and a defensive stop.
Houston has even showed up well against the run. While Payton Turner can kick inside on passing downs, Houston has showed up more as a pass rusher. If the final DE spot comes down to Houston or Turner, the former has vastly outplayed the latter in camp and preseason.
Linebacker (5): Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, Damone Clark, Shemar James
PUP: DeMarvion Overshown
It doesn't look like a strength on paper, but Dallas might be solid at linebacker until Overshown returns. Sanborn looks like a great fit in the middle of the defense, Clark finally has his confidence back.
However, James was a huge bright spot on Saturday. The fifth-round rookie out of Florida racked up six takles, five defensive stops and a really nice forced incompletion in coverage. He's someone who could carve out a significant role as the season rolls along.
Cornerback (6): DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam, Kemon Hall, Israel Mukuamu, Troy Pride, Zion Childress
PUP: Trevon Diggs, Josh Butler, Shavon Revel
This group is so hard to predict that someone who doesn't know anything about football could have a more accurate projection. Pride, Childress and Andrew Booth, who had a pick-six off Cooper Rush, all had strong games, making the decision that much more difficult.
The Cowboys might end up carrying six CBs since they have three contributors (two projected starters) expected to open the year on PUP.
Safety (4): Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell
One of two position groups without any controversy.
Special teams (3): Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
Like safety, no analysis is needed. If the first two preseason games are any indication, Cowboys fans could be seeing a lot of this trio during the regular season.
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