Blogging The Boys
The Dallas Cowboys’ first preseason game of the Brian Schottenheimer era is in the books, and the result was a mixed bag. Unsurprisingly, no starters played, and Dallas was largely vanilla in their schemes. The team started awfully slow, and came on a bit in the second half, but still lost the game. Not that wins and losses matter in preseason.
What does matter is how individual players performed, as that will help guide these coaches in three weeks when they have to cut down from 90 players to just 53. In the spirit of helping them out, here’s a roster projection based off where the team stands after that game.
Dak Prescott
Will Grier
Joe Milton
We all know Dak Prescott is the unquestioned starter here, but this game was supposed to cement Joe Milton as the unquestioned backup quarterback. Instead, it left us with more questions than answers.
Milton never really looked comfortable in this game. Far too often, he was throwing lasers when he needed touch passes, and his accuracy suffered as a result. He completed just 58.6% of his passes with a touchdown and a pick. There’s no questioning his arm strength and mobility, but Milton didn’t do much to inspire confidence in himself if he ever has to start a game this year.
Further complicating things is the fact that Will Grier came in and looked much better, albeit in limited work. He completed two of his three passing attempts and ran in for a late touchdown. Grier has an admittedly lower ceiling than Milton, but on Saturday night he looked more like the guy you’d want to turn to if anything ever happens to Prescott.
Miles Sanders
Javonte Williams
Jaydon Blue
Hunter Luepke
Javonte Williams didn’t suit up in this one, which is probably telling, especially after Schottenheimer had previously noted how important preseason reps are for evaluating running backs. Miles Sanders has been fighting a nagging injury and did not play. Both veterans have looked good in training camp thus far, so it’s hard to imagine either of them being on the bubble right now.
Jaydon Blue was held out after suffering a minor injury, which is unfortunate after the rookie garnered praise from Schottenheimer and other coaches in recent weeks. Instead, we got to see plenty of Deuce Vaughn, Phil Mafah, and recently-signed Malik Davis.
All three looked good, but it’s hard to say that any of them made a strong case to make the roster yet, especially with the top three seemingly cemented. Hunter Luepke also seems like a lock, with Schottenheimer praising his versatility several times, which makes this room all the more crowded.
CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
KaVontae Turpin
Jalen Tolbert
Jonathan Mingo
Traeshon Holden
If Schottenheimer really wants to carry four true running backs, he’d likely have to go light here. That’ll be difficult to do, though. The top four are pretty much set: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and KaVontae...
