Over the last few days, I’ve broken down a few position groups on the Cowboys roster and tried to get a better feel for where some of these battles stand.
This time, I’m narrowing it down to a few individual players worth watching tonight when Dallas takes on the Arizona Cardinals in preseason game 2.
Saturday night is about the guys Dallas still has decisions to make on.
The Electrifying Camden Brown
I have Camden Brown making this list easily after what he did against Seattle.
The undrafted rookie caught three passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns in the opener, and he has become one of the biggest talking points coming out of that game.
I know we can all see why. It’s because that’s what happens when you’re fighting for a roster spot and make the most of the few opportunities you get. I’m not expecting him to go out and score two touchdowns again, but I do want to see if he can keep the production going.
He needs separation from Jonathan Mingo. I want to see him make the routine catches and if he can just keep looking like a player who deserves a spot on the 53.
The bottom of the depth chart is crowded at receiver, but Brown is making it hard to ignore him.
False Step Lawrence
Malachi Lawrence is someone we have all been keeping tabs on. That’s what happens when you’re a first round pick, but the part I’m paying attention to is his first step.
I’ve covered that the Cowboys have been working with him on getting rid of that false step off the snap. It doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re trying to beat NFL tackles around the edge, that little bit of wasted movement can be the difference between pressure and getting washed out.
He didn’t record a sack against the Seahawks, and that’s OK.
Lawrence has the size and speed combo a team covets. Now I want to see if some of those smaller technical things are starting to show up.
The Wrecking Ball Jaishawn Barham
Jaishawn Barham might be the most interesting player on the field Saturday, if he gets on the field.
He’s flashed in camp, especially when it comes to getting off blocks and playing downhill. Dallas also likes the fact he can do more than one thing for the defense.
The way I see it is, camp is one thing. I want to see what happens when the play breaks down in live action. How will he respond?
Will he be able to handle the ugly stuff that comes when playing in a real game? I want to see if he can find the ball in traffic, can he get away from a lineman once they get their hands on him, and how will he hold up in space?
That’s the stuff I want to see.
If Barham handles those situations well, Dallas may have to find more snaps for this player. Maybe even a starting role.
Joe Milton and his Rocket Arm
I thought about putting Sam Howell here, but I think his NFL starting experience will put him above Joe Milton, but this player is still the more interesting player.
Against Seattle, Milton was efficient and didn’t try to turn every throw into a highlight reel.
I want to watch and see if he continues to take the easy throws for completions, and if he can keep the offense moving even when he’s in trouble. A player in his position has to understand what the offense wants.
That type of football could be what helps him take over QB2 from Sam Howell. Joe Milton needs to finish out the preseason with clean, efficient games to prove he has slowed down.
If Milton looks steady again, Howell is going to have to earn QB2.
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