Unlike last summer, the Dallas Cowboys sustained upward momentum in their first joint practice of training camp. They'll hope to carry that into Saturday's preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
After an exciting and intense three weeks of camp, the most crucial point of the summer has arrived. Players on the roster bubble have tiny margins for error, and every rep in the preseason games will carry massive weight as the coaching staff decides who rounds out the bottom of the 53.
With Saturday’s game fast approaching, the Cowboys have released their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason. Dallas still has plenty to sort out through three exhibition matchups and next week’s joint practice against the New Orleans Saints, but the first depth chart still carries weight.
With that in mind, let's break this thing down position by position and go through the biggest takeaways and observations.
Key observations from Dallas Cowboys' first unofficial depth chart
Quarterback
Dak Prescott | Joe Milton | Sam Howell
Don't read too much into Milton being listed ahead of Howell. The depth chart reads, "Joe Milton OR Sam Howell," signifying the backup quarterback battle doesn't have a clear leader.
From afar, it seems Milton has a slight upper hand, but both QBs have struggled to protect the football. Saturday's preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks should provide more clarity.
Running Back
Javonte Williams | Jaydon Blue | Phil Mafah | Malik Davis | Israel Abanikanda | Jashaun Corbin
Interesting that there's no "OR" designation here. Asked about the backup RB competition on Thursday, Brian Schottenheimer said that Blue and Mafah will both "get a ton of work" in the preseason, and that they're in a "tight battle" for the job.
It appears to be a two-horse race, but Schottenheimer made a point to single out Abanikanda on Thursday. The 23-year-old has impressed in training camp and is definitely a player to monitor this preseason.
Fullback
Hunter Luepke
No notes here. Luepke is FB1 by default.
Wide Receiver
CeeDee Lamb | George Pickens | Ryan Flournoy | Jonathan Mingo | Marquez Valdes-Scantling | Camden Brown | Jordan Hudson | Anthony Smith | Traeshon Holden | Jaden Smith | Denzel Mims | Tyler Johnson
This order is exactly why "initial" depth charts should be taken with a pinch of salt. Everyone knows that Turpin is ahead of Mingo and Valdes-Scantling, who's had a rough summer and is now nursing a knee injury. Turbo Turp's role in the offense is secure; it might even grow relative to last season.
That said, it speaks volumes that UDFA Camden Brown was listed first among the Cowboys' young guns. Seventh-round pick Anthony Smith has come on strong this week. Both players are seemingly in contention for a spot on the 53.
Tight End
Jake Ferguson | Brevyn Spann-Ford | Luke Schoonmaker | Michael Trigg | DJ Rogers | Zach Kuntz
It's been obvious throughout camp that Spann-Ford has overtaken Schoonmaker as TE2. Spann-Ford has made strides as a pass-catcher while Schoonmaker has kept a low-profile.
That said, it's hard to imagine Dallas moving on from its former second-round pick, given the blocking questions surrounding Trigg.
Even with a quiet camp, Schoonmaker provides scheme familiarity and balanced utility. He serves as the ideal bridge if Trigg needs time to develop as an all-around player.
Offensive Tackle
LT : Tyler Guyton | Nate Thomas | Marcellus Johnson
RT: Terence Steele | Drew Shelton | Ajani Cornelius | Sebastian Gutierrez
No surprises here. Guyton has pulled away in the left tackle "competition" and is fresh off an encouraging joint practice against the LA Rams. Unless rookie Drew Shelton has a sudden renaissance, expect Thomas to be the backup LT for another season.
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Do not rule out the Cowboys making a move at OT before the regular season.
Guard
LG: Tyler Smith | Nick Leverett | DJ Wingfield
RG: Tyler Booker | Trevor Keegan | Shiyazh Pete
If the Cowboys could, they'd have T.J. Bass as their top backup at all three interior positions. That's his undefined role, but they opted for center, which makes sense following Matt Hennessy's season-ending injury.
Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams could really use one of Leverett or Keegan emerging as a reliable backup. That remains to be seen, making the preseason all the more pivotal to the outlook of Dallas' offensive line.
Center
Cooper Beebe | T.J. Bass | Chris Glasser
If there's one takeaway to be had from the interior offensive line depth chart, it's that the Cowboys better hope that Bass doesn't suffer an injury. Currently their top backup at both guard spots and center, there arguably isn't a more valuable backup OL in football.
Defensive Tackle
Quinnen Williams | Kenny Clark | Otito Ogbonnia | LT Overton | Jay Toia | Jonathan Bullard | Kevin Gillman | Tommy Dunn | D.J. Withers
Are you even a Cowboys fan if reading this room didn't bring a tear to your eye? After years of begging the front office to prioritize DT, the position is now the backbone of the defense. What a time to be alive.
On a more serious note, don't get fooled by Toia placing "above" Bullard. We've been wrong before, but something tells us Bullard will have a role in this defense. That could push Toia off the 53 and potentially back to the practice squad.
Outside Linebacker
Donovan Ezeiruaku | Rashan Gary | Sam Williams | James Houston | Malachi Lawrence | Isaiah Land | Marist Liufau | Tyrus Wheat
Another position that could be upgraded before the season. It might not read like it here, but Lawrence is the Cowboys' OLB3. The first-round pick out of Central Florida has come on strong in the third week of camp, prompting Dallas to write out: "Sam Williams OR Malachi Lawrence"
Ezeiruaku, Gary, and Lawrence are the only roster locks. How much playing time the rest of the room receives in preseason will paint a clearer picture of the pecking order.
Inside Linebacker
DeMarvion Overshown | Dee Winters | Jaishawn Barham | Shemar James | Justin Barron | Langston Patterson | Curtis Robinson
Picking off Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett three times in a single joint practice is a hell of a showcase, but Barron isn't leaping Overshown anytime soon. Even holding the spot behind rookie Shemar James feels like a realistic assessment of where Barron fits in Christian Parker’s rotation right now.
Make no mistake, though: Barron has the coaching staff's attention. He was already having a strong camp before Tuesday's masterclass.
Cornerback
CB: DaRon Bland | Caelen Carson | Josh Butler | Devin Moore
CB: Shavon Revel | Cobie Durant | Trikweze Bridges | Ameer Speed
NB: Caleb Downs | Derion Kendrick | Reddy Steward
Shavon Revel "OR" Cobie Durant is how the depth chart reads. The two CBs have traded blows all summer, making for the most fun competition of training camp. Durant's experience may give him a slight edge, but Revel is nipping at the veteran's heels.
It's anyone's guess how the rest of the room shakes out.
A fourth-round pick with undeniable upside, Moore's spot should be secure. Kendrick has done nothing but make plays in camp, and his slot versatility should appeal to the defensive staff. It may really come down to a numbers game.
Safety
Jalen Thompson | Malik Hooker | Caleb Downs | P.J. Locke | Zion Childress | Markquese Bell | Alijah Clark | Julius Wood
Are you even a Cowboys fan if reading this room didn't bring a tear to your eye? It's the best assortment of safeties Dallas has had in a long, long time. But is it deep enough to keep Julius Wood and Alijah Clark off the 53?
Both players have made strong impressions in Oxnard; Wood more so than Clark. With Downs likely to be spending a lot of time in the nickel, Dallas may keep a fifth safety. Markquese Bell has core special-teamer potential, but Wood has had the better summer.
Deciding Wood's fate will be one of the toughest calls the Cowboys make this month.
Specialists
K: Brandon Aubrey
P: Bryan Anger
LS: Trent Sieg
H: Bryan Anger
KR: KaVontae Turpin | Jaydon Blue | Malik Davis
PR: KaVontae Turpin | Caleb Downs | Jonathan Mingo | Traeshon Holden
A couple of roster hopefuls as backup returners, you say? Talk about adding another layer of intrigue to the preseason.
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