The preseason is upon us, and the Dallas Cowboys players are ready to hit someone other than the friendly fire displayed periodically in training camp.
Unfortunately, the televised scrimmages that teams used as a game before the preseason matchups are no longer an option.
Now, coaches will use minicamps, training camps, and, more importantly, preseason to collect information to make a final judgment on roster implications.
That may be enough for some and not so much for others.
Here are a few names prepared to use preseason to grab themselves a roster spot.
Will Rico Dowdle finally make a mark in the NFL?
Sometimes, we must double down on our assertions and make a statement with our chest.
Rico Dowdle making this roster might have to be mine.
I wrote a story a few weeks back discussing Rico’s potential as the backup to Tony Pollard.
Well, maybe that wasn’t as far-fetched as it seemed when the pen hit the paper.
Rico Dowdle lands in the number 2 running back spot on Dallas’ first unofficial depth chart but it is still very early.
The #Cowboys competition behind Tony Pollard sees Rico Dowdle seizing the opportunity to become a front-runner for the RB2 role — drawing high praise from Mike McCarthy.
His eyes are on a breakout season:
‘Biggest opportunity of my life’
✍🏾 https://t.co/t15jskiY0n pic.twitter.com/8zOO9M0NUU
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 8, 2023
Nevertheless, it’s Rico’s play on the field that will ultimately determine if he fully seizes the opportunity.
The other item that becomes a factor is the fact that typically the number two running back in the preseason will be on the field with some of the starting offensive linemen.
That’s a big deal if it happens.
He’ll have a better chance to net positive productivity if Tyler Smith is in front of him.
He’ll share snaps with Malik Davis, Ronald Jones, and Deuce Vaughn. You can throw in Hunter Luepke for good measure.
But if he doesn’t fumble the ball or this chance, he may be the legitimate backup in Week 1.
Could John Stephens, Jr. take the fourth tight end spot?
Will there be a fourth tight end on the 2023 roster? No one knows.
Dallas carried Dalton Schultz, Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot, and Sean McKeon at points last season.
I believe Ferguson is the clear-cut starter, with Hendershot as his backup. No one is going to debate that.
Even though this prospect has been out of sight, out of mind, Luke Schoonmaker carries the 2nd round-pick title that will get him on the team.
The fourth spot is what will be up for grabs.
In all fairness, McKeon, Seth Green, Princeton Fant, and John Stephens, Jr. would be contending for the last spot.
Sean McKeon, while only 25 years old, is a steady veteran. I really don’t want to undersell that.
However, Stephens has that highlight ability that fans love to see.
There’s no indication that Ferguson and Hendershot are inactive for the first game. Schoonmaker probably will not play.
That should leave some snaps for the down roster-type guys just like Stephens.
Will he continue to make big-time receptions like he has done a couple of times in training camp?
John Stephens Jr.’s receiving background has been on display during all of camp. Makes an athletic grab here downfield.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/13h1sxuMBk
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) August 7, 2023
If he does this upcoming Saturday, I’m confident it will nudge him ahead of McKeon.
Stephens has been building up steam and putting it together in a live game will earn him a lot of additional fans.
As long as he is not Lance Lenoir or Jon’Vea Johnson, I’ll take the upside and ability to stretch the field and I think the coaches will agree sooner than later.
Simi Fehoko will put it all together in the preseason
I fully understand that I’ll be on an island, probably by myself, with this portion of the article, but here goes nothing.
Dallas is trying to give Simi Fehoko every chance to win a wide-receiver spot on this team. He takes one step forward and two backward.
In either case, he needs to contribute enough plays in the actual game to keep the coaches’ faith in him.
Simi Fehoko positioned himself in such a way as to both track the ball and to box out the defender.
A dot from Cooper Rush. He’s rewarded by Fehoko with the TD grab.
[🔊 @Kyle_Youmans + @IamSTANBACK] pic.twitter.com/sSWE0jPIL4
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 9, 2023
Last season, injuries impeded his progress. This season, inconsistency and a case of the drops has been his Achilles heel.
However, he remains a very talented, a big-bodied X-receiver that fits Dallas’ profile.
If Dallas carries six receivers, KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert won’t be the roadblocks to him making the team. His actual competition will come from the rookie Jalen Brooks.
Both will toggle to take the “Noah Brown” role on offense and special teams.
Simi tallied 114 all-purpose yards in seven games in the last two seasons. Playing with Cooper Rush, he should increase that.
I expect him to be the starter with Tolbert on Saturday versus Jacksonville. It will be a win for Dallas if he can gain any confidence and consistency.
