Training camp has wrapped up in Oxnard, California. The team has gone through practices, including two joint practices with the Rams and Saints, it is safe to say that the front office has a pretty good idea about what this final roster will look like.
That makes the second preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals arguably one of the most important evaluation points of the summer. As for many opinions on players will be solidified tonight.
There will still be one preseason game remaining, but players on the roster bubble don’t want to enter that final week still trying to change the coaching staff’s mind. By the end of Arizona, the goal should be to leave Brian Schottenheimer and his staff with a strong opinion about where you fit on this football team.
For some Cowboys, that means proving one strong preseason performance wasn’t a fluke. For others, it’s finally getting the game opportunity they’ve been waiting for. And in one position battle, Saturday could force Dallas to reconsider what its depth chart should look like.
Here are three storylines I’m watching against Arizona.
Camden Brown: Can He Do It Again?
Camden Brown entered the preseason as one of the more interesting players fighting for a spot at the bottom of the Cowboys’ wide receiver room, and his performance against Seattle certainly helped his case. Brown found the end zone twice and took advantage of the opportunities that came his way, continuing what had already been an impressive training camp. But as good as one preseason game can look, it shouldn’t be enough by itself to guarantee Brown a spot on the 53-man roster. Now comes the challenge of doing it again.
Against Arizona, I’m not necessarily looking for another two-touchdown performance. If Brown is going to make this roster, he would likely enter the season as the Cowboys’ fifth receiver, and that means his job can’t be limited to catching passes. Dallas needs players at the bottom of the depth chart who can contribute on special teams. Brown needs to show that even when the offense isn’t throwing him the football, there are other ways he can help the Cowboys on Sundays.
Another strong performance could make Brown increasingly difficult to leave off the roster. Seattle showed that he can make plays when given an opportunity, but Arizona can show whether he’s becoming someone the coaching staff can trust in multiple roles. If Brown can pair another solid offensive performance with quality special-teams snaps, the conversation could begin shifting from whether he’ll make the team to what his role could look like once the regular season begins.
Jaishawn Barham: Finally Getting His Opportunity
Jaishawn Barham was one of the biggest surprises early in training camp before a groin injury slowed down his summer. The Cowboys experimented with the rookie in several different roles, giving him work as an off-ball linebacker while also taking advantage of his ability to rush off the edge. That versatility made Barham an intriguing piece of Christian Parker’s new defense, but missing the preseason opener meant we still haven’t gotten to see how everything Dallas experimented with in Oxnard translates to a game.
That makes Arizona an important first look. I’m less concerned with Barham piling up tackles and more interested in where Parker chooses to use him. Can he diagnose plays quickly from middle linebacker? How comfortable does he look in coverage? Can Dallas move him toward the line of scrimmage and create pressure? Most importantly, can Barham show that he is capable of handling the responsibilities that come with playing in the middle of an NFL defense?
Barham’s roster spot isn’t what is at stake Saturday. His role could be. A strong preseason debut would add more evidence that what Dallas saw from him early in camp wasn’t simply practice hype. If Barham can command the middle of the defense while still displaying the versatility that made him stand out in Oxnard, the Cowboys may have to start thinking about him as more than a developmental rookie. He could be someone Parker needs to find snaps for when the regular season begins.
Malik Davis: Should He Be RB2?
The Cowboys entered training camp with plenty of competition behind Javonte Williams, with younger backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah getting opportunities to establish themselves. Mafah generated some positive momentum before injuries limited his availability, while Blue has also had opportunities to make his case. But when the preseason opener arrived, it was Malik Davis who showed he is a true gamer. It raises an interesting question for the Cowboys: what if the best option behind Williams is the veteran who was already in the building?
Arizona gives Davis another opportunity to make that argument. The evaluation shouldn’t be based solely on who finishes with the most rushing yards. If Dallas needs its second running back to enter a regular-season game, that player needs to be dependable in pass protection, as a receiver and with the football in his hands. Davis has been around this offense and understands what is expected of him. Now I want to see whether he can continue to look like the most complete and trustworthy option behind Williams when given preseason snaps.
Another good performance should make Dallas seriously consider Davis as its No. 2 running back. Mafah’s injuries have prevented him from building on some of his early camp momentum, while Blue still has more to prove when he gets his opportunities. Davis may not offer the same unknown upside as the younger backs, but that shouldn’t outweigh production. If he continues to perform better when the games begin, at some point the Cowboys have to reward what is happening on the field.
There will still be one preseason game remaining after Arizona, but nobody competing for a roster spot or role should want to need it. By this point, the Cowboys have seen weeks of practices, two joint practices and a preseason game. The evaluation period is quickly becoming the decision-making period.
For Brown, Saturday is another chance to prove he belongs on the 53. For Barham, it’s an opportunity to show he deserves a role in the defense. And for Davis, it could be another step toward proving the running back depth chart should look different than many expected entering camp. By the time Dallas leaves Arizona, the coaching staff should have a much clearer idea of where all three fit.
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