The NFL preseason has kicked off, and the Dallas Cowboys will be in action this Saturday against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.
However, this game will not include many of Dallas' key starters, if any. The Cowboys have been known in recent years for not playing starters in the preseason, except for first-round rookies on occasion.
Even though most of the starting lineup looks set for Week 1 against the New York Giants, Brian Schottenheimer should not shy away from giving a few projected starters at least some playing time. These players in particular would benefit from seeing the field in August.
3 projected Dallas Cowboys starters who should play in the preseason
3. Ryan Flournoy, WR
In years when the Cowboys' offense featured two good receivers, the WR3 has seen preseason snaps. Ryan Flournoy is becoming one of the rising stars on this offense after some solid performances last year. The former sixth-round pick out of small Southeast Missouri State looks like the team's latest late-round gem.
Flournoy might not have much to gain from playing in the preseason, but the team did bring in some other veterans before training camp. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Denzel Mims, and Tyler Johnson might be journeymen, but if one of them shows out in the preseason, the competitiveness in Flournoy may have him looking over his shoulder.
Even if he plays only a series or two, the extra work could further cement Flournoy as the clear-cut WR3. There’s also value in getting him live-game reps with the backup quarterbacks. Joe Milton and newly acquired Sam Howell are battling for the QB2 job, and having Flournoy out there as the top receiving option would give both quarterbacks a reliable target to lean on while they find their rhythm.
2. Dee Winters, LB
This defense has plenty of new faces beyond the rookie class, and Dee Winters is one of the most notable. Acquired by the Cowboys on draft weekend, Winters filled an obvious need at weakside linebacker. However, he's still learning a new scheme and getting acclimated to new surroundings.
Going from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 can be a difficult adjustment for a young player, which makes live preseason reps all the more valuable. Getting that experience now could have Winters better prepared for opening night in New York.
The Cowboys turned over virtually their entire starting linebacker corps from last season, with DeMarvion Overshown being the lone holdover. As a three-year veteran coming off his first season as a full-time starter, Dallas needs Winters to be a stabilizing presence in the revamped linebacker room.
Even if Winters starts just one of the games surrounded by backups, a series or two would give fans a sense of confidence that the trade was worthwhile. Winters certainly has more credibility than the linebackers who were brought in last season, but that entire group is undergoing a makeover. Playing Winters would help boost his confidence as well as the rest of the defense.
1. Caleb Downs, DB
The first-round pick out of Ohio State is already generating buzz. Dallas traded up to draft him, and so far in camp, that looks like it was a good move. The thing is, though, coaches can only evaluate so much from limited padded practices. If there's one starter who should see snaps in preseason, it's Downs.
The Cowboys played each of their first-round picks the last several preseasons since the league shortened it to just three games.
During that stretch, players like Micah Parsons, Tyler Smith and, recently, Tyler Booker proved they belonged after getting a series or two. While Downs looks like he has already proven that in some ways, it would not hurt to go hit somebody in a real game.
New defensive coordinator Christian Parker is generating a lot of buzz as well. Some are even convinced this pairing of him and Downs is a perfect match for the future of this defense. To make that point clear early, playing Downs in at least one of the three games would be a good idea.
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