Only one preseason game stands in the way of the Dallas Cowboys' roster cutdown. With the offseason roster sitting at 90 players, close to 40 players will get cut, waived or released before the regular season opener on Sept. 13.
The Cowboys sit at 0-2 in preseason, but Saturday's game against the Seahawks gave Mike McCarthy and the front office another opportunity to analyze the roster. Odds are they know whom will make up the majority of the team, but there are still myriad players on the roster bubble fighting for their jobs.
While some Cowboys face long odds to make the 53-man roster, others are in a great spot heading into the preseason finale. With a strong showing Saturday against the Raiders, these players can nail down a roster spot.
3. Juanyeh Thomas
If Thomas forced himself into the safety conversation during training camp his roster chances must be skyrocketing during preseason. Simply put, Thomas has been one of the Cowboys' top performers over the first two exhibition games.
Thomas intercepted Trevor Lawrence on the opening drive in Week 1 and led all defenders with two passes defended. While he didn't record a turnover Saturday against the Seahawks, he made his presence felt with nine total tackles and his seven solo tackles were three more than the next highest Cowboy.
While Thomas was called for a costly taunting penalty that preluded a Seahawks touchdown, the coaching staff has to love what it's seen from the second-year defender. The only thing working against him is the team's sheer depth at safety.
With Israel Mukuamu expected to see snaps at corner and following the injury to DeMarvion Overshown, the Cowboys could justify keeping an extra safety. It's anyone's guess what Dallas does, but a third straight standout performance in preseason should see Thomas' name penciled on the 53-man roster.
He's earned it. Plain and simple.
2. Josh Ball
Many Cowboys fans will never root for Josh Ball the person given his history of alleged physical abuse, but the player has performed well in preseason. In fact, he's likely already trending toward making the final roster considering how shaky Dallas' backup offensive linemen have performed.
That said, Ball can lock up a roster spot if he performs well in the preseason finale against the Raiders.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ball was Dallas' highest-graded offensive linemen against the Seahawks with a 78.3 player grade. He also led the way in pass protection (86.5 grade) and as a run-blocker (71.7 grade). The former fourth-round pick allowed zero pressures despite logging the fourth-most pass block snaps.
It was a needed rebound performance from Ball, who looks more and more like the team's backup swing guard. Moving from tackle to guard has worked wonders for Ball, who might finally be figuring it out ahead of his third season.
Not only is Ball in a position to make the 53-man roster, but he could have a significant role on a slender Cowboys offensive line in 2023.
1. Kelvin Joseph
Has any Cowboy improved their stock more in preseason than Joseph? Jalen Tolbert and Deuce Vaughn have both risen to the occasion and then some, but Joseph is undoubtedly the most unlikely riser on the roster. The 2021 second-round pick has been lockdown in coverage in the two games.
Per Pro Football Focus, Joseph didn't allow a completion on three targets against Jacksonville. He followed that by allowing one catch for 13 yards on three targets in Seattle to go with two pass breakups. His 88.0 coverage grade is the highest on the team, more than 10 points higher than the next Cowboys DB.
Joseph hasn't done anything special at training camp, but by all accounts he's performed well in Oxnard. With Nahshon Wright still recovering from injury and rookie Eric Scott Jr. taking his lumps in preseason after a strong camp, Joseph can absolutely lock up a roster spot with a strong showing in Saturday's finale.
Moving to the nickel has been a godsend for Joseph's career, as he finally looks ready to be a consistent contributor on defense.
He can't afford to let up now, though.