For fans, the NFL preseason can be a time to chill. Sure, you're excited about football being back on but ultimately, you're not going to be as engaged (or anxious or excited) as you'd be for a regular season game.

For players fighting for a spot on the roster though, it's perhaps the most stressful time of the year. As we approach the Dallas Cowboys' preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, here are three players in danger of being cut who need strong preseasons.

Note: No rookies or first-year players are on the list. 

3 Cowboys players who need big preseasons

CB Kelvin Joseph

The coaching staff saw enough from the former second-round pick on the outside and thus moved Joseph to the nickel spot earlier in the year. Based on the clips from training camp, it seems just about everybody is making some plays against him.

At this point, I believe Joseph's best shot at the roster is for him to become the Cowboys' new C.J. Goodwin: A true special teams ace. Last year, Joseph finished third on the team in special teams snaps and made some big-time plays. 

NT Quinton Bohanna

Since last year’s trade deadline, the Cowboys have added two nose tackles who have jumped Bohanna on the depth chart: Johnathan Hankins and Mazi Smith. The latter, this year’s first-round draft pick, looks like the future at the position for the franchise.

Bohanna is fighting a numbers game right now. In an NFL where you're likely carrying 12 total defensive linemen (including edge rushers), do the Cowboys find a way to carry three nose tackles? Bohanna needs to convince them.

If Bohanna does stay on board, maybe we can see more of that beefy personnel package they used in practice where all three nose tackles were lined up. Now that would be fun. 

WR Simi Fehoko

Since the start of training camp, the stocks of KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert have been on the rise. That doesn’t help Fehoko at all.

On one hand, Turpin has given the Cowboys reason to believe he can contribute on offense, and being a Pro Bowl returner only helps his case to make the team. On the other, Tolbert is looking like what the front office envisioned when they drafted him in the third round in 2022.

Seventh-round rookie Jalen Brooks, whose got size and speed like Simi, has also been on the rise. The wide receiver room is getting too crowded and it's now or never for Fehoko to finally put it all together in the preseason.

3 Cowboys UDFAs who could make the roster with a strong preseason

The Dallas Cowboys preseason kicks off against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday and these are some of the top undrafted rookies to watch.

Featured image via Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports