Cowboys preseason takeaways: Undrafted rookie WR makes strong case for roster spot

For the first time in nine years, the Dallas Cowboys won their preseason opener, defeating the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 17-7 at Lumen Field on Saturday.

Planning Super Bowl parade routes for next February around downtown Dallas is unnecessary at this time. But several positives came from seeing new defensive coordinator Christian Parker call a game from the sideline for the first time.

“A lot of great things,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “I thought the second half was really well played. I thought defensively they were amazing. … Overall, I thought the team effort to get the win against a good opponent was really good. Things we obviously need to clean up, penalties. They threw a lot of penalties, really on both teams, but that’s what the preseason is for, work on your hand placement, get better. Overall, I was really, really proud of our guys.”

Here are our biggest takeaways.

Very few starters

As expected, none of the Cowboys’ projected Week 1 offensive starters played. Defensively, rookie defensive back Caleb Downs and second-year cornerback Shavon Revel were the only potential Week 1 starters who saw playing time. And neither was out there much. Downs was on the field for less than a series.

Star of the game

It feels like just about every training camp practice includes a notable catch by undrafted rookie wide receiver Camden Brown. That carried over into his first preseason game — he caught all three passes thrown his way for 62 yards and two touchdowns. The first TD came on an impressive 39-yard jump ball that he wrestled away from a defender. The second touchdown was on an outstanding one-handed grab that will likely be one of the best plays anybody makes during the preseason.

“When the ball is in the air, it’s mine,” Brown said after the game. “That’s always been the mindset from Georgia Southern to Auburn. Just having that mentality because I feel like just playing football in general is having the right mentality. … I feel like I get to prove people wrong again. That’s just who I am. That’s been my whole life story.”

Brown’s play has put him in position to make Dallas’ final 53-man roster. The top four wide receiver spots are basically locked up by CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin. Brown’s closest competition for the No. 5 spot is veteran Jonathan Mingo, who also played well Saturday. But it’s hard to believe the Cowboys would allow a player as talented as Brown to become a free agent. There’s just been too much positive momentum.

“The game is not too big for him,” Schottenheimer said. “He does that every day in practice. We see it all the time. … What I love about him is he does the little things, too. You watch him on special teams drills, one-on-one drills and things like that, he realizes that’s how you make this football team when you got a receiver room that’s filled with George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, Ryan Flournoy and people like that. That stuff matters. Really good day, but he’s got to keep stacking them like he’s been doing.”

Biggest storyline entering the game

This was Parker’s first game calling Dallas’ defense. The first-year defensive coordinator did so on the sideline and not the coaching booth. He’s expected to remain on the sideline during the regular season. Seattle’s first offensive possession was a struggle for Parker’s group, allowing a 13-play TD drive. But they were outstanding the rest of the way, including after the Seahawks got the ball on Dallas’ 5-yard line following a muffed punt midway through the fourth quarter.

In four plays, Seattle lost 10 yards, giving the ball back to the Cowboys.

It remains to be seen how good Parker’s defense will be in Year 1, but the signs have been positive across the board. The fundamentals and communication are noticeable. The optimism is warranted. The Cowboys appear to have made an excellent hire.

“I thought he was really good,” Schottenheimer said. “I was over there listening. He is what he is. He’s calm, cool, convicted. … The defense’s job is to keep people out of the end zone. That’s what we were tasked to do. I’m fine winning games 7-3, 10-7. I don’t care. But I thought they were terrific. We were a little sloppy early on and we gave them some hidden yards with penalties early on. But I thought they really buttoned down and I thought the pass rush was really good. Overall, I was very, very pleased. Any time you can get three-and-outs and four-and-outs and red zone stops, that’s what you want.”

Before the game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shared his early assessment of Parker.

“One of his really premium goals is to mix it up and be unpredictable,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. “That really takes a lot of communication. That takes a lot of coordination. … Bottom line is, I think he’s got all the ingredients. Not only is he a motivator, communicator, but he’s got the ingredients to be a very strategic, outstanding coach.”

Some rough moments

• The penalties were a little concerning, especially in the first half when the Cowboys had six for 59 yards. They finished with 13 for 103 yards. Cornerback Caelen Carson was responsible for three of those penalties in the first half. That wasn’t a great look for a player trying to secure a roster spot. DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel are roster locks. It’s wide open at corner after them. The depth at the position is a concern.

• The same can be said about the offensive line. After the starters, backup interior lineman T.J. Bass, who started at center, is the only other player who appears ready for a starting role, if needed. Right tackle Drew Shelton, right guard Ajani Cornelius, left guard Trevor Keegan and left tackle Nate Thomas are the others expected to make the roster. The inconsistent play of that group made it difficult to accurately judge the running backs in the first half.

Cowboys first-round pick pass rusher Malachi Lawrence got playing time Saturday night against the Seahawks. (Steven Bisig / Imagn Images)

Pass rush

Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku did not play. First-round pick Malachi Lawrence looked like a rookie. He had some nice rushes but also made mistakes. Those three are locked into roster spots. After them, veteran James Houston has to be part of the next tier. He continues to find ways to get to the quarterback. Marist Liufau is transitioning from inside to outside linebacker. Although he has bulked up, he still appears to be more of a player who can contribute at both positions. Just having him rush the passer doesn’t seem to be the best fit for his skill set. He makes enough plays when given the opportunity that he seems to have a good chance of making the final 53.

Backup QB

Sam Howell started and played the entire first half. Joe Milton got the entire second half. Both played well. Howell’s best series was probably the final one of the half, when he connected with Brown on the TD. Milton’s best series was probably his first. He was 5 of 6 passing for 62 yards and his TD pass to Brown. Both ran the ball well with Milton looking like an unstoppable weapon in short-yardage situations. The stat coaches will like most is that neither QB turned the ball over.

“It’s hard to speak on quarterbacks when you haven’t watched the film, but I thought both guys functioned outstanding,” Schottenheimer said. “They both were tasked with going out there and playing against heavy pressure. … They just hung in there and made the throws when they had to make them. And they were both very efficient. And that’s what we want. We evaluate quarterbacks by a couple things. One, moving the team, scoring points. And, (No. 2) protecting the football. I thought both guys did that. They both played well.”

Michael Trigg

The undrafted rookie tight end has been noticeable at times during training camp, but not as much as he was Saturday, catching four of his five targets for 30 yards. The top three tight end spots currently belong to Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker. But Trigg likely opened some eyes in Seattle. His pass-catching and athleticism are easy to recognize. More preseason play like that and a final roster spot is possible.

“Every team passed up on me,” Trigg said after the game, “so every opportunity I get, I try to make the best play.”

Injuries

Running back Phil Mafah (chest) and linebacker Justin Barron had the most notable setbacks, but neither sounds significant.

“Little bumps and bruises,” Schottenheimer said. “(Barron) got rocked a little bit. I think everybody’s OK. We’ll figure out a little (Sunday) when we wake up in Oxnard and get them all treated. I know the masseuses are going to be busy.”