3 Cowboys who locked up a roster spot after preseason Week 1

The Dallas Cowboys kicked off their preseason slate with a 13-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. What the game lacked in excitement for three-plus quarters it made up for on the final play as the Rams scored the game-winning touchdown with less than five seconds to spare in regulation.

While preseason games are essentially a glorified practice, they mean a lot to players who are fighting to secure a job for the upcoming season. The Cowboys rested most of their starters, which opened up plenty of reps for roster bubble players to show what they can do and perhaps climb the depth chart.

The next two weeks will be difficult for the coaching staff as it finalizes the 53-man roster. It's the most unforgiving part of the NFL calendar, but multiple Cowboys made their job easier on Sunday with strong performances.

3 Cowboys who cemented a roster spot in Week 1 of preseason

3. DL Chauncey Golston

The Cowboys' pass rush was nowhere to be found on Sunday. Marshawn Kneeland created some havoc in the first quarter against the run, but the edge group behind him gave Stetson Bennett all day to throw. Luckily, Mazi Smith and Golston came to play along the interior.

It was noticeable on only 11 snaps that Golston got consistent push in the trenches. He finished as Dallas' sixth-highest-graded defensive player with a 75.2 grade, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He only made one tackle, but it helped the defense get off the field on third down.

The Cowboys' defensive line has questions after Sam Williams' season-ending injury, but Golston's impressive showing coupled with his ability to play inside and out as a three-tech all but ensures he'll make the team.

2. TE John Stephens Jr.

Stephens Jr. didn't light up the stat sheet, but he passed an important barometer coming back from his devastating ACL injury. Patrik Walker of the team's official website noticed that Stephens was sharp out of his breaks. There was a scary moment when a Rams defender barreled into Stephen's' knees on a tackle, but the second-year tight end was not fazed.

Clearing the mental hurdle following a major injury is just as difficult as the physical one for some athletes. Stephens not only looks stronger post-surgery after he added 10 pounds of lean muscle this offseason, but he seems to have full confidence in his surgically-repaired knee.

Stephens saw as many snaps as 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker, and both Princeton Fant and Brevyn Spann-Ford stayed in the game longer. The 24-year-old finished second on the team with 3 catches (for 19 yards) and looks to have a stranglehold on the third tight end spot.

1. WR Jalen Brooks

Brooks proved on the Cowboys' opening drive when he caught a 43-yard deep ball that he shouldn't see the field much this preseason. Cooper Rush left the pass a little short, but Brooks made a fantastic adjustment and showed great tracking ability to make the grab. Brooks even attacked the ball in the air to give the defender zero chance of breaking it up.

A seventh-round pick last year, Brooks caught a short pass from Trey Lance on Dallas' next possession. That was his only action for the day, but he still led the Cowboys in receiving with 49 yards.

Brooks made the 53-man roster as a rookie, but Dallas' receiver room is more crowded this time around. He needed to fend of Ryan Flournoy, Tyron Billy-Johnson and Jalen Cropper to stick on the team in year two. Not only has Brooks locked up a roster spot, but he's the presumptive favorite to win the WR4 job.

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