The Dallas Cowboys had nowhere to go but up after a preseason dud against the Los Angeles Rams, and they somehow failed to take any steps up in their painful 31-13 loss against former Dallas backup Cooper Rush and the Baltimore Ravens. Other than picking off Rush twice, Dallas didn't have a ton to smile about.
The quarterback play was beyond bad, the wide receiver showed that Dallas does not have adequate depth behind their starters at the position, and the starting lineup looks quite spongy when they aren't able to force turnovers.
There are a handful of players on the back end of the 53-man roster who may have put in some solid days at the office, but some players performed so badly that they may have done some serious damage to their overall stock internally within the locker room.
Stock Up, Stock Down as Cowboys get crushed by Ravens
Stock Up: LB Damone Clark
Clark piles up seven tackles while making two stops in the backfield. After the fringe roster candidate struggled in Week 1 action against the Rams, Clark's bounce-back game should improve his chances of making the final roster.
Stock Down: QB Joe Milton
This one was obvious. Milton looked downright wretched, completing just two passes in the first half and finishing 9-18 with 122 yards and one interception. Milton's incredibly strong arm remains his only quality trait as a quarterback, as his extended action is proving.
Stock Down: RB Miles Sanders
Sanders had a golden opportunity to prove he is worthy of pushing Javonte Williams for reps as the starting running back, and he responded by carrying the ball seven times for 15 yards, with no run going longer than seven yards. Even the RB2 job is far from guaranteed.
Stock Up: CB Andrew Booth
Booth put some ghoulish plays on tape in his 2024 stint with Dallas, but his pick-six was one of the few highlight plays Dallas has seen in the preseason. Booth's pedigree as a former top pick in tandem with this interception could do wonders for him.
Stock Down: WR Jalen Cropper
Cropper may have led the team with an emotional speech, but he didn't back it up. Cropper failed to record a catch and dropped Milton's best throw of the day, causing more damage to his chances of making the roster.
Stock Up: EDGE James Houston
Houston's revitalization after Detroit let him go appears to be chugging along quite swimmingly. Houston was in the backfield quite regularly, and he could impress enough as a speed rusher off the edge to either make the 53-man roster or get prime practice squad real estate.
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