RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 34-13 ; their second convincing preseason victory. In both contests, the defense showed up and played extremely well, but this time the offense followed suit. Joe Milton getting the start and going off is the biggest reason. He threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns plus ran in another score.
Beyond his well documented and heavily discussed success, there are still other areas which were bolded question marks coming into the exhibition schedule. There was the battle between the receivers below the top three options, as well as the running back group beyond Javonte Williams.
With one preseason game left to go that will almost certainly see the majority of players expected to see regular-season action on the sidelines, here's whose stock is highest.
Ajani Cornelius
Ajani Cornelius moved from tackle over to guard and played almost 100 preseason snaps. His PFF overall grade is 87.3, and he hasn’t allowed the quarterback to be touched, giving up only two pressures in 50 pass-blocking reps. This is incredibly important for a Cowboys team badly needing offensive line depth after losing multiple solid backups in free agency. The offensive line hasn't been a strong suit, with most believing T.J. Bass is the only reserve who could start if any of the starting five were injured. If Cornelius can be a backup offensive guard with a ton of college right tackle experience, it could reset the depth on the unit.
Another solid performance this Friday against the Saints , in what should be an extended look, could earn him a spot on the 53-man roster.
The running back room
The running back room has a top-end starter in Williams, and the depth begins with the guy nobody seems to want, Malik Davis. He isn’t flashy, but he doesn’t have major holes in his game. He gets what’s blocked for him on run plays, he can bring in a pass, his blocking is as good as Williams, and he plays special teams at a high level.
In the latest preseason game, he caught a touchdown pass, blocked in pass protection to set up a big play, and rushed for nearly 6 yards per attempt. Dallas has their main backup, and the change-of-pace option finally showed up in Arizona.
Jaydon Blue is who fans want as the backup, as he has an explosive element the Cowboys are currently missing from their rushing attack. Blue ran the ball 15 times for 75 yards and looked like an NFL rusher. He ran between the tackles and fell forward as he was being tackled. The guys likely to make the practice squad, Israel Abanikanda and Phil Mafah, both also had good moments against the Cardinals .
Mafah took his only carry for a 15-yard touchdown without great blocking to lead him, and Abanikanda had eight rushes for 49 yards. The whole room showed up well in the second preseason game, and Friday's contest could be a deciding factor in not just the 53-man roster, but also the practice squad.
Receiver depth
Camden Brown began the year as possibly the last receiver on the depth chart. If he were only judged on this camp, Jonathan Mingo would probably be a lock for the roster. The two are battling it out for the fifth receiver spot, and the fact that it's them atop the heap is a shock to most.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a known vet who some thought could take Mingo’s spot. Tyler Johnson and Denzel Mims are other veterans with production in NFL games, and Anthony Smith was a 2026 draft pick.
Brown shouldn’t compete for the fifth receiving position, but he is because he has had an incredible camp. He has led the team in receiving yards both games, and his stat line of seven targets, five catches, 139 yards, and two touchdowns is impressive.
Mingo finally showing what made him a second-round pick, along with excellent special-teams play could have the edge. The teams play is a key to being the fifth receiver option, and a 53-yard, deep-ball touchdown reception have Mingo right in the mix. He is the second-highest-graded receiver in the preseason for Pro Football Focus with a grade of 90.5. The receiving battle for the fifth spot could force the Cowboys into keeping six receivers.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Stock Up: Which Cowboys are trending heading into preseason finale?
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