Remember when the Dallas Cowboys didn't care about the preseason? That argument can still be made, given their starters have yet to see the field, but the on-field product is night and day compared to previous regimes. That speaks to the roster's improved depth.
Saturday's game against the Arizona Cardinals was never competitive. The Cowboys put up 24 points in the first half and conceded just one touchdown on defense.
The performance opened eyes beyond just the final score. A host of players, including running back Malik Davis, made impossible-to-ignore statements with cutdown day just one week away.
With one preseason game left on the docket, let's take a look at some Cowboys who locked up roster spots in Glendale.
Malik Davis and 4 other Cowboys who secured roster spots vs. the Cardinals
1. Malik Davis - RB
Calling someone a cockroach usually carries negative connotations, but in football, it can be the ultimate compliment. Enter Malik Davis, who refuses to bow out of the running back conversation no matter how badly Dallas wants to get younger at the position.
Davis drew the start against the Cardinals following a terrific showing in Week 1. Just as he does every time he touches the field, the 27-year-old ran with conviction, power, and serious burst.
A few drives were all the Cowboys needed to see before pulling Davis.
He totaled 29 rushing yards and caught an eight-yard touchdown pass on 3rd-and-6, where he got open for Joe Milton on a broken play. He also aced all of his assignments in pass protection, ensuring that Milton had enough time to go through his progressions.
Davis isn't going anywhere. Shame on anyone (looking at myself) who thought otherwise when training camp started.
2. Ajani Cornelius - RG
For all the concerns about Dallas' offensive line depth, Cornelius has quietly put together a great preseason. Drafted as a tackle, Cornelius has played exclusively at guard this summer, but you wouldn't know he's learning a new position based on his play.
Cornelius allowed just two pressures on 25 pass-blocking snaps vs. Arizona, per Pro Football Focus. He was also a big contributor in Dallas' efficient night on the ground, posting an 82.8 run-blocking grade. He's still listed as a right tackle on PFF, but he's playing right guard.
Through two games (50 pass-blocking snaps), Cornelius has allowed just three pressures, zero sacks, and zero quarterback hits.
It's looking like the 24-year-old is emerging as Dallas' most trusted backup OL behind T.J. Bass. He should be on the 53-man roster when all is said and done.
3. Camden Brown - WR
What can Brown do for you? A lot, apparently.
Even in a game where Dallas' run game controlled the tempo, Brown found a way to stand out.
The budding undrafted rookie made the biggest play of the night for either team, breaking open on an off-script play that forced Joe Milton outside the pocket. Milton found Brown, who showed off his speed and sprinted 69 yards up the sideline. He was unlucky not to find the end zone.
The Cowboys would probably love to sneak Brown onto the practice squad, but that dream ended last week following his two-TD debut. He won't clear waivers, and he's earned his spot on the 53-man roster, even if his rookie snaps are minimal. He's made himself uncuttable.
At the risk of looking too far down the road, Brown could jump into the WR3 role next year if Dallas doesn't re-sign George Pickens. That should factor into this decision.
4. Jaydon Blue - RB
Is the running back conversation finally over? Not quite, but it's close.
There's just no cutting Steady Eddy -- sorry, Malik Davis -- at this juncture. However, Blue may have nailed down a roster spot of his own after his best night as a Cowboy.
Blue's acceleration was on full display against the Cardinals. It helped that he got better blocking compared to Week 1, but his vision and patience were also night and day.
The 22-year-old carried 15 times for 75 yards to lead Dallas in rushing. He hurdled multiple defenders and finally displayed some power and contact balance. Per PFF, 64 of his rushing yards came after contact. For both the player and team, it's exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Cowboys likely wouldn't admit that Blue punched a roster ticket, but if the 53 was due tomorrow, he'd be on it over Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda.
5. Markquese Bell - SS
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was that Markquese Bell did not dress. He isn't nursing an injury, so unless a trade is on the horizon, that would indicate his roster spot is safe.
Bell certainly didn't do anything defensively in Week 1 to clinch a spot on the 53, which leads us to believe that he's unofficially the C.J. Goodwin replacement.
A longtime special teams captain for Dallas, Goodwin retired this offseason, leaving massive shoes to fill as a ST gunner.
Bell has shown potential in that role and is fresh off logging 304 special-teams snaps last season. Here's a breakdown of his snap distribution (via PFF):
- 81 on kickoff returns
- 77 on kickoff coverageÂ
- 40 on punt returnsÂ
- 39 on punt coverage
- 67 on field goal blocks
Expect Bell to be a core player for Nick Sorensen.
You have to wonder what it means for second-year safety Julius Wood, who's had a terrific summer and played well again on Saturday before departing with a concussion.
Add us as a preferred source on Google