Dallas Cowboys: Stock Up, Stock Down After Preseason Game No.3
The Dallas Cowboys followed up a full-fledged and energetic performance with an up and down, but still revealing team outing against the Seattle Seahawks. What's come is clarity. We have very good idea of which bubble players will, won't and might make the final roster. With the exception of a handful of notable players. Some […]
The Dallas Cowboys followed up a full-fledged and energetic performance with an up and down, but still revealing team outing against the Seattle Seahawks.
What's come is clarity. We have very good idea of which bubble players will, won't and might make the final roster. With the exception of a handful of notable players.
Some players have are excelling, but it's a numbers game. An unfortunate part of the final week of preseason. How many surprise cuts and additions can the Cowboys go through?
There will be players who can clear waivers and be added to the roster after initial cuts. Or possibly be added to the practice squad as preferred prospects. After the Seattle game, the questions will largely fall on how many of each position group the Cowboys keep.
Now that the preseason is done, the Dallas Cowboys set their sights on September 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. First, they'll need to finalize this roster.
We won't know for sure how it will look until later next week after waivers and practice squads have been formed. Here are the players who stood out in game three. The good, the bad and the ugly.
Stock Up
- DB Nahshon Wright – Talk about a turnaround. Wright followed up back-to-back poor performances with a great finale. His three pass break ups lead the team and showcased much better coverage skills.
- WR Brandon Smith – A quietly productive preseason, Smith lead the Cowboys in receiving with multiple down-field plays. He was solid enough in 2021 to warrant a practice squad position and would be a favorable roster option if the receiving room wasn't so full. Likely a preferred practice squad option once again.
- DB Israel Mukuamu – Mukuamu did his best Trevon Diggs impression, following up a game where he grabbed an interception with another game where he grabbed an interception. Jayron Kearse, Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker and Markquese Bell all fit in the Dallas Cowboys safety room. They'll need to make room for another.
- OL Matt Farniok – The progression from Farniok is on full display. Each game he displayed power in the first and second levels as both a guard and center. Don't be surprised if he sees extended playing time this season.
- TE Peyton Hendershot – There's something to be said about a TE who can create separation and be a threat with his legs and not just have good hands. Hendershot has displayed his ability to be the Dallas Cowboys new "Blake Jarwin" type, but things will need to factor in. How many TE's will they keep? How serious is Sean McKeon's injury? Can Hendershot play special teams. His second gear might be too valuable to lose.
- OL Matt Waletzko – Considering Waletzko is trying to overcome a shoulder injury and delay surgery, Waletzko looked solid. Using those long arms and quick feet, often walled off defenders, playing like the best OT from Friday night.
- LB Storey Jackson – Likely a preferred practice squad candidate, Jackson came in from Liberty as a do-it-all LB who could cover, blitz, play the run and tackle. He's done just that this preseason, being involved often in plays on defense and was one of the best play readers on the field. If he clears waivers, he could be called up late in the season to play special teams.
- DB Juanyeh Thomas – After a largely quiet offseason, Thomas made a loud finale. Getting his hands all over the ball and showing what he can do in deep coverage as a versatile defender.
- Edge Sam Williams – Williams was always going to make the roster but he made a loud statement in the finale. Putting first-round OT Charles Cross on skates and apllying constant pressure. Just like college.
Stock Down
- OL Josh Ball – For the third game in a row, Ball shows he is not the answer for their swing tackle woes right now. Missing a year has taken away development as he often looks uncomfortable and off balance in pass protection. Albeit has shown signs of life in the run game. He looks more suited to play right tackle if at all.
- OL Isaac Alarcon – Unfortunately for Alarcon, his final preseason game didn't look as promising as the first two. Not showing the same power and technique he had shown up until then and getting injured only makes it worse. He'll likely be back as a roster exemption, being part of the NFL's International Pathway Program. It's too bad considering how hard he was pushing for a roster spot.
- DL John Ridgeway – What seemed like a roster lock is now in question. We didn't see the power from Ridgeway in these games we saw on tape or in practice. The Dallas Cowboys are likely going to keep around 11 defensive linemen; 6 edge rushers and 5 DT's. Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore, Trysten Hill and Quinton Bohanna are all making the team. Will they opt for Ridgeway over the veteran Carlos Watkins?
- RB Malik Davis – Not that Malik Davis did anything wrong. He's had a great camp and has played with power and versatility in the preseason. It's unlikely the Cowboys keep 3 RBs and Rico Dowdle will make the final roster. Practice squad perhaps?
- LB Luke Gifford – Despite being brought back on a one-year deal, the deal has been altered like Lando Calrissian's. The Cowboys are likely to only need to keep five LB's with players like Bell and Kearse being able to play both safety and LB. Rookie Devin Harper has outplayed Gifford and can do more than simply play special teams.
- DB Isaac Taylor-Stuart – The OTA standout has been disappointing in game action. Often getting beat off the line of scrimmage, continued against the Seahawks. Now that he's injured, it will be interesting to see if he gets stashed on IR. He still has plenty of size and traits Dan Quinn covets.
- LB Malik Jefferson – Jefferson is a veteran looking for his last chance in the league and it looks like it stops here. Like Gifford, it's a numbers game that Harper has stood out more as a better coverage option as well as playing the run. Even Storey Jackson, a practice squad hopeful, is the better option.
- OL Aviante Collins – Playing exclusively right tackle, Collins is the only "veteran" presence with game experience the Dallas Cowboys played behind the starters. An up and down camp lead to up and down performances all the way through game three. On a team in desperate need of offensive line help, this would have been the time to step up and never really did.
- WR TJ Vasher – The human highlight reel. His one-handed catches made heads turn in OTA's and early training camp, but it stopped there. He never once showcased his usefulness as a size mismatch (6'6" 215) and continues to be unable to create separation from defenders. He might be a practice squad candidate thanks to his attributes. He'll need to work on his legs, both of his hands work just fine.
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
