RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Dallas Cowboys have arrived at the part of their offseason schedule where they actually get to hit somebody for a full 60 minutes. On Tuesday, the Cowboys traveled down to take on the Los Angeles Rams in a joint practice, but Saturday they move up the Pacific Coast to battle the world champion Seattle Seahawks in the exhibition opener.
Earlier in the week, the Cowboys distributed the unofficial depth chart for the preseason opener. It's the first real look at the pecking order of things that have been reported on during training camp practices, and it includes some noteworthy things. All 90 players won't see action, as the team will hold back Dak Prescott and other stars , but the entire back two-thirds of the roster will see action, helping to decide some important training camp battles.
Brian Schottenheimer isn't playing his starters or key contributors in this game. The true litmus test for the Cowboys who are expected to be a part of the regular rotation happens in the joint practices. Following Tuesday's work, the team will next travel to take on the New Orleans Saints . It's in these controlled environments, where the coaching staffs have a chance to coordinate what will be worked on to help each side, that the frontline operators get their day in the sun.
That's why the Cowboys making a big leap in how they performed vs the Rams this year as opposed to last year is being touted as a big deal. The Cowboys weren't outclassed by a team that expects to be playing in mid-February, more than holding their own. What happens in Seattle is going to be about the guys trying to fill out the back end of the roster.
4) Are there 8, 9 or 10 offensive linemen worthy of the 53-man roster?
From the outside looking in, the question about the OL is how many make the opening roster? The starting five is set, left to right being Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker and Terence Steele . TJ Bass is the top backup, with Nate Thomas and rookie Drew Shelton forming a consistently mocked group of eight OL.
Will they carry a ninth or an even 10? Can last year's late-round pick Ajani Cornelius convince them to carry five tackles, knowing Tyler Smith can slide outside? Does it make more sense to bring guard Nick Leverett to the regular season, or what about UDFAs Shiyazh Pete and DJ Wingfield?
3) There are three positions so close they got "or" designations
One of the always interesting things about the mostly meaningless unofficial depth charts is when the coaching staff is still trying to maintain a competition until the end. A handful of depth lines include an "or" in between two players, indicating that it's undecided who has the upper hand.
That could mean something if they listed the players alphabetically, but as they aren't, whomever is named first should be assumed to be a step ahead. That takes place in the backup QB competition between Joe Milton and Sam Howell, at backup off-ball linebacker between Sam Williams and first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence, and again at cornerback between Shavon Revel and Cobie Durant.
Perhaps their listed in terms of seniority with the org?
2) Who will emerge as the No. 2 running back behind Javonte Williams?
As a fifth-round pick at the running back position, many expected Blue to be a part of the Cowboys' rotation on offense in 2025. However poor work ethic seemed to mar almost all of his rookie campaign, leading many to wonder if the club would move past the thought of him this year. He's seemed to correct those issues, reporting with a renewed focus and breaking several big plays through the first two weeks of camp.
It shouldn't be a surprise then that Blue is sitting at RB2, ahead of fellow second-year back Phil Mafah. Don't get it wrong, though. Mafah has been equally impressive thus far in camp, allowing the idea the Cowboys may enter the season with four backs (including fullback Hunter Luepke) on the active roster.
1) Three players competing for one or two wide receiver spots
The Top 4 wideouts for this team seem pretty cut and dry. It doesn't matter who any of us thinks is the true alpha on this team for 2026, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are going to be on the field as much as they can endure. Ryan Flournoy has gone from an initial 53-man roster cut last August, to firmly entrenched and shooting for a 1,000-yard campaign a year later. Kavontae Turpin is still the gadget guy for the offense until further notice.
That leaves veteran (now) journeyman Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jonathan Mingo and rookie Anthony Smith competing for WR5 and possibly WR6. Valdes-Scantling has the experience and jump-ball height, though his last two seasons have just a combined 33 receptions to show for it. Dallas gave up the most in trading a fourth-round pick to acquire Mingo, who is having a much better showing than last year's camp as the physicality guy. Smith is the burner of the group.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys unofficial depth chart vs Seahawks reveals 4 things to look for
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