Blogging The Boys
Only one preseason game remains for the Dallas Cowboys, and while we won’t see many of the key players who will make up this football team, there will be many things to keep an eye out for against the Atlanta Falcons. The Cowboys still have several position groups where good roster battles are taking place, and some of them are too close to call right now. Here are six position battles that could be swayed by what happens on Friday night.
It would be hard to justify the Cowboys going long at running back, and with fullback Hunter Luepke a likely roster lock, that only leaves three spots. The veteran Javonte Williams has been protected by not playing in the preseason, and rookie Jaydon Blue is safe because of the draft investment. This leaves one spot up for grabs between the veteran Miles Sanders and the rookie Phil Mafah. The rookie’s vision in attacking the creases has looked better, and he comes with four years of low-cost player control, so we lean slightly in his direction.
Don’t forget about: Deuce Vaughn
It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but the Cowboys’ affinity for Vaughn means he might also be in the mix.
The veteran Hakeem Adeniji was once grouped with these other linemen, but his play has solidified his spot on the roster. The real battle is between third-year incumbent Asim Richards and newly-signed veteran free agent Saahdiq Charles. This one is tough. Both offer position flex, and the veteran has been more consistent on tape. Richards still has two years of player control and might be given more latitude.
Don’t forget about: Ajani Cornelius
Speaking of latitude, the team’s new rookie, Ajani Cornelius, has to be mentioned as well. While he hasn’t played as well as these other guys, his potential might punch his ticket on the roster.
In back-to-back drafts, the Cowboys selected wide receivers on Day 3, and both are players who do the little things that coaches love. Jalen Brooks has made the team in each of the last two years and Ryan Flournoy joined the fun last year. It would be difficult for the team to keep them both, so they may have to decide between them. Both offer value on special teams, and Flournoy has increased his stock in that department this preseason. This race is going to be close.
Don’t forget about: Traeshon Holden
This year’s fan-favorite undrafted free agent receiver turned heads in practice, but do his overall skills justify a spot on the roster? The practice squad seems like where his fate will lie.
The Cowboys are super deep at defensive end, to the point where you expect them to pull off some sort of trade. The former first-round pick Payton Turner was signed to a one-year deal....
