The Dallas Cowboys take on the Atlanta Falcons for their final preseason matchup before opening the season on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 4th. Like last week, the Cowboys are likely to face another one of their former backup quarterbacks in Ben DiNucci, who signed with the Falcons last week. With Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix not playing on Friday, DiNucci should see some significant playing time. However, for the Cowboys, it’s an opportunity to answer some questions about
their depth and see who can make one final case to claim a roster spot. The offense has put up pedestrian outings in the passing game, and the defense has had troubles stopping the run. Here are three veterans who need to have a huge showing on Friday.
Mazi Smith
To whom much is given, much is always certainly expected. When the Cowboys drafted Mazi Smith with the 26th overall pick in 2023, the team imagined that Smith would be the answer to their prayers and finally have some semblance of resistance against opposing offenses running the ball against them. Unfortunately, that hasn’t panned out, and Smith has been largely disappointing. Smith has owned up to his shortcomings publicly, but patience is wearing thin, and the experiment, a costly one, has thus far been a failure.
Dallas has given Smith plenty of chances in the preseason to gain confidence and deliver more consistent performances. Still, Smith isn’t holding up at the point of attack, often getting driven far beyond the line to gain and unable to hold his ground on double-team blocks. At this point, the team needs to see something from Smith. Although depth is thin for the Cowboys at the position, it doesn’t mean that Dallas has to stand pat with Smith.
Linval Joseph, who was with the team last year, is still available, and Christian Wilkins, who had a curious release from the Las Vegas Raiders, is still unsigned. Perrion Winfrey is also putting pressure on Smith to show better, and Denzel Daxon has also shown signs of progress. It’s not unreasonable to believe that Friday could be Smith’s last stand with the Cowboys.
Hakeem Adeniji
With injuries along the offensive line, the Cowboys will not be spared an easy out, drawing the Eagles in Week 1. Philadelphia has a terrific defensive line that can put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Tyler Guyton, who suffered a bone bruise early in training camp, has an iffy status for week 1, thrusting Nate Thomas into the starting lineup. Yet, what about the backup’s backup?
The Cowboys need to sort out who would be their swing tackle if something were to happen to Thomas or Terence Steele. Dallas has made it clear that Tyler Smith is not going to be moving outside anymore and is one of the premier guards in the NFL, with less reason to do so after drafting Tyler Booker. That gives Hakeem Adeniji a great opportunity to earn the trust of the coaches with a great game and claim one of the most underrated but substantial roles on the team. Adeniji can play either tackle spot or guard if needed and has started 15 games in his career. Adeniji is also competing with Asim Richards and Ajani Cornelius, but the veteran could steal the show with a top-tier performance against Atlanta.
Miles Sanders
It feels so long since Miles Sanders was a Pro Bowler, and his career has taken an awkward turn since. He joined the Carolina Panthers in 2023 and was quickly phased out, being relegated to a bit player, despite a sizable contract over his two seasons with the team. Since joining the Cowboys, Sanders has failed to separate himself in a crowded running back room. Last week against the Ravens, Sanders failed to make anything happen on the field, and it felt like he left a lot of meat on the bone, running seven times for only 15 yards.
Jaydon Blue makes his much-anticipated preseason debut tomorrow against Atlanta. Blue has home run potential from anywhere on the field and feels like a lock. Javonte Williams appears to be the lead back and hasn’t seen the field all preseason, signifying his spot on the team and the top of the pecking order.
Malik Davis’ reinsertion into the rotation also complicates matters for Sanders, as Davis has a preexisting relationship with the coaching staff. It very likely could come down to the Cowboys deciding between Phil Mafah, Deuce Vaughn, Davis and Sanders for that final roster spot. With a bad game on Friday from Sanders, he could be in some hot water.
