The Dallas Cowboys play real football this weekend for the first time since January 5, facing off against a Los Angeles Rams team they just had a joint practice with. Even though most starters won’t play, just seeing the uniforms and the helmet with the star will be exciting.
These games are only meaningless to the record books, with several details that could reveal a lot about the possible roster. Which players could have the upper hand at certain positions? Here are some key things to watch for when the Cowboys take the field this weekend and why they are crucial for the future of roster construction.
Who plays on special teams?
Building a 53-man roster is challenging. Teams attempt to keep players who flash during training camp, but the truth is the majority of the roster is already set and the real battles usually come down to special teams. Wide receiver is a perfect example.
The top five guys: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, and Jonathan Mingo are locked in. The battle lies in whether a sixth man can make the team. UDFA rookie Traeshon Holden belongs on a roster. He isn’t a flash player, but rather a consistent performer who adds flash plays. For him to make the team though, he’ll need to be a significant piece on special teams.
Jalen Brooks doesn’t look like he can be the impactful receiver that Holden can, but in the joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams, Brooks was the starting gunner; those guys make the team. So, while fans want Holden, the coaches need Brooks; therefore, watching who plays special teams in the preseason is critical. If coaches attempt to put Holden in more prominent special teams positions, they could be trying to get him on the roster.
Which running back plays on passing downs?
The battle for the final spots on the 53-man roster will likely be about what a running back can do besides rushing the ball. Special teams will matter, but the ability to help on obvious passing downs is essential.
Protecting the quarterback is critical, because a single hit on the QB can end a team’s season. Hunter Luepke has been a third-down back, mainly because of his ability to protect Dak Prescott. It’s often difficult to play rookie backs early due to their inexperience in those situations. If Jaydon Blue or Phil Mafah can be counted on in pass protection, they could supplant a veteran on the roster.
Making plays as a receiver has also been a key sticking point mentioned by new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The screen game is one part, but being able to motion out and run routes like a receiver is also essential.
Fans looking to predict the 53-man roster should pay special attention to the backs’ performances on passing plays, especially third downs.
How the depth at defensive back plays
When a team has four roster-worthy corners out with injury, the depth at the position becomes paramount. If the bottom of the depth chart were trying to make a healthy roster, then special teams would become key. However Dallas needs players who can actually play defense, right now.
Kemon Hall and Israel Mukuamu have been battling for snaps in the slot, and nothing on the boundary behind DaRon Bland and Kaiir Elam has been worked out. Last season, Josh Butler came out of nowhere to play well, and the Cowboys need to find that from the group of Troy Pride Jr., Zion Childress, Robert Rochell, Mukuamu, Hall, or any of the other options.
UDFA Alijah Clark is another player to watch. He is a safety in a room that already has Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Markquese Bell, and Juanyeh Thomas, but he has looked great in camp. If he can make plays regularly in the preseason, he could make himself undeniable to make the roster.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 things to watch for in Cowboys-Rams that will go long way in determining 53-man roster
Reporting by Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
