The Dallas Cowboys have some of the best individual players at their positions in the NFL, but they have an alarming lack of depth in multiple key areas. The preseason is exposing just how thin they are on the offensive side of the ball, putting even more pressure on starters Dak Prescott and Javonte Williams.
Both backup quarterback Joe Milton and former Philadelphia Eagles starter Miles Sanders were in line for an extensive workload in Dallas' preseason duel against old friend Cooper Rush and the Baltimore Ravens. It took one drive for Dallas to immediately get concerned when watching those two try to take off.
Sanders was bottled up to the tune of a ghastly -4 yards rushing on two carries. After a huge stuff by the Ravens defense, Dallas' attempt to break through with Milton under center, and he was promptly taken down for a safety that gave Baltimore a quick 2-0 lead. Milton failed to pull off any big plays on his second drive.
Dallas' offseason is starting to lose more shine with each passing day. Picking Milton over a more established veteran quarterback and choosing to give Sanders a role that prominent in the wide-open backfield look like two mistakes that need to be corrected.
Cowboys relying on Joe Milton and Miles Sanders could be a mistake
Sanders is fresh off a terrible two-year stint with the Carolina Panthers in which he proved to be wholly inferior to Chuba Hubbard. Dallas has two rookies in Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, who will likely be licking their lips when they see Sanders struggle to put his foot down.
Milton certainly played well in his one-game debut with the New England Patriots, but he has looked a bit out of sorts in extended action. The arm is always going to be there, but the lack of accuracy and ability to sense pressure could be quite concerning for anyone expecting him to take a developmental step forward.
The Cowboys are not going to have their season defined by the performance of a few backups against other backups in the preseason, but both Milton and Sanders are showing how touchy it will be for Dallas in the 2025 season if either of them gets extended action.