While preseason wins and losses don't matter much, the Dallas Cowboys undoubtedly enjoyed getting off the schneid on Friday night with a 31-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Now, for those already guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster, preseason contests are merely a way to get a few game reps in to stay sharp before the start of the regular season. For those not guaranteed a spot, however, preseason contests are naturally much more important, as they serve as auditions, a way to make their case to the coaching staff that they belong.
The Cowboys, of course, have a plethora of players on the bubble, and first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer certainly has some tough decisions to make over the next few days, as rosters are required to be cut down to 53 by this Tuesday, August 26, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
When looking at the fringe players who performed well for Dallas during the preseason, strong cases could be made for wideout Jalen Brooks and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey as the Cowboys' biggest winner of the exhibition season. But in our eyes, that honor goes to defensive end James Houston, who's become a bit of a fan favorite since signing with America's Team just before training camp got underway.
James Houston was the Cowboys' best player in the preseason
A sixth-round selection of the Detroit Lions in 2022, Houston started his career on the practice squad but made an immediate impact upon being called up to the main roster, recording a pair of sacks on Josh Allen in front of a massive television audience on Thanksgiving Day against the Buffalo Bills.
He then went on to become just the third player in league history to record a sack in each of his first four games and ultimately ended his rookie campaign with eight in just seven appearances. But was as good as things would get.
After a leg injury forced him to miss all but two games of the 2023 season, Houston was released by Detroit last November, at which point he signed with the Cleveland Browns, with whom he suited up for three games, making zero tackles.
Unsigned for several months after the free agency period began back in March, the 26-year-old has admitted that the thought that his career could be over crossed his mind before the Cowboys came calling in July. And he's certainly made the most of the opportunity he's been given with America's Team.
Houston understands that he needs to do more than others, which is why he's typically been the last player to leave the practice field. And all the hard work he's been putting in has paid off.
After an average outing in the Cowboys' preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, the former linebacker turned edge rusher played much better against the Baltimore Ravens, recording a pair of tackles as well as a pair of QB hits. And he improved yet again on Friday night against the Falcons, notching a sack and picking up another tackle for a loss by blowing up a trick play with a magnificent read.
The problem Houston faces in his attempt to make the 53-man roster is the fact that the Cowboys are loaded on the edge, with Marshawn Kneeland, Tyrus Wheat, and Payton Turner taking up slots on the depth chart on the left side, and Micah Parsons (if he suits up, of course), Dante Fowler Jr., Sam Williams, and second-round rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku on the right.
So, the numbers aren't on his side at the moment. That said, Houston has done everything he can do to prove he belongs on this team, and if Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus can't see that, they run the risk of letting a talented player with a big chip on his shoulder walk out the door.
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