The Dallas Cowboys kicked off their preseason campaign with a victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night, marking the first time since 2017 that they have started the exhibition slate with a winning record. While wins and losses in August rarely define a season, the performance of individual bubble players provides the real story as the coaching staff begins carving out the final roster. For some newcomers, the game served as a definitive arrival, while others found themselves sliding down the depth chart.
Camden Brown emerged as the undisputed star of the evening, announcing himself to the league and the fan base alike. After showing steady improvement throughout training camp, Brown capitalized on his opportunity by scoring both of Dallas touchdowns. His second score was particularly impressive, cementing his status as a player who will be incredibly difficult to leave off the active roster or even stash on a practice squad given his current momentum.
On the other side of the ledger, certain players struggled to find their footing during the contest. Cornerback Caelen Carson faced a challenging outing, plagued by costly mistakes during Seattle’s opening possession. A combination of pass interference and a facemask penalty helped pave the way for the Seahawks’ only score of the game, leaving Carson with an uphill climb to prove his reliability moving forward. Similarly, rookie Anthony Smith failed to fully seize his opportunities in the second half, though analysts note that expectations remain tempered for a seventh round pick adjusting to professional speed.
Beyond those extremes, several other names saw their stocks rise toward potential roles. Running backs Jaydon Blue and Malik Davis both showcased why they deserve spots in the rotation, with Davis appearing as one of the most trustworthy options available behind Javonte Williams. Meanwhile, wide receiver Jonathan Mingo provided glimpses of utility that might finally justify his acquisition up until now, suggesting there is still something worth salvaging from that particular trade as Dallas looks to finalize its offensive weapons.
