The Cowboys open their preseason Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks, and the first game in Oxnard, Calif. is already being used to sort out who can separate themselves. For young players and those stuck in position battles, the Cowboys game is the first real chance to turn practice flashes into something harder to ignore.
That matters most for players like Jaydon Blue, whose speed has kept him in the mix for the RB2 battle even as ball security has kept him from pulling away. It also matters for Anthony Smith, a rookie seventh-round pick who has stacked good days and followed a strong showing in the Rams' joint practice with another impact practice on Thursday. In a preseason opener like this, one clean game can change the conversation faster than a week of drills.
The depth chart questions are not limited to one spot. Justin Barron made himself noticeable with three interceptions in a single joint practice against the Rams, while Michael Trigg, the rookie tight end from Baylor, drew notice after his head coach called him unguardable last week. LT Overton, a fourth-round pick, has also been getting reps with the first-team defense as the Cowboys keep working through depth on defense.
Alijah Clark is the name that best captures how quickly the Cowboys' evaluation can turn. A few weeks ago, he went down in practice with an ankle injury that looked serious. He is back now, and he has been flying around making plays again, even though the safety room is crowded and some of the safeties will not play in this game. That return keeps him in the discussion with Julius Wood, who is also trying to hold his place in the same crowded group.
The bigger picture is simple: Dallas has three preseason games, and the opener is where the major battles begin to take shape at QB2, RB2 and CB2. Micah Parsons is now back as a member of the Packers, but this game is about the players trying to become part of the Cowboys' next answer. By the end of Saturday night, the first cut in the competition may not be final, but it should be a lot clearer who is making noise and who still has work to do.
