The Dallas Cowboys absolutely stomped the Arizona Cardinals, 34-13, rolling to their second straight convincing preseason victory. This time around, the offense finally showed up big, matching the defense’s stellar play in both contests. The biggest reason for that surge? Rookie Joe Milton. He lit up the stat sheet, tossing for 179 yards and two touchdowns, plus he ran in another score. Talk about a statement game! Beyond his electrifying start, some huge question marks coming into this exhibition schedule are starting to get some real answers. We are talking about receiver depth beyond the top three guys and, crucially, the running back situation after Javonte Williams. With just one more preseason game left, which will mostly feature guys fighting for roster spots, it’s time to look at who’s trending up.
Ajani Cornelius Is Resetting the Offensive Line Depth Chart
Remember how everyone was worried about Dallas’s offensive line depth after they lost a bunch of solid backups in free agency? Well, Ajani Cornelius might be their answer. This dude moved from tackle over to guard, and he’s been absolutely lights out, logging almost 100 preseason snaps. His PFF overall grade is a ridiculous 87.3. Wanna know the best part? He hasn’t let his quarterback get touched a single time, giving up only two pressures across 50 pass-blocking reps. That’s insane! Right now, most folks thought T.J. Bass was the only reserve who could step in if a starter went down. If Cornelius can lock in as a backup offensive guard, bringing all that college right tackle experience with him, it completely changes the game for their offensive line depth. If he puts up another solid performance this Friday against the Saints, in what should be an extended look for him, you gotta think he’s earned a spot on that 53-man roster.
The Running Back Room Is Absolutely Stacked
The running back room has been a major point of discussion, but after the Cardinals game, things are looking up. Javonte Williams is obviously the top-end starter, but the depth behind him is getting seriously interesting. Malik Davis, who some fans seem to overlook, is making a strong case as the main backup. He might not be flashy, but he just gets the job done. No major holes in his game; he hits his marks on run plays, can snag a pass, his blocking is as good as Williams’s, and he’s a high-level special teams player. In that latest preseason game, he caught a touchdown pass, threw a critical block in pass protection that set up a big play, and rushed for nearly 6 yards per attempt. Dallas found their main backup.
Then there’s Jaydon Blue. This is the guy fans want, and for good reason. He brings an explosive element that their rushing attack is missing. Blue ripped off 75 yards on 15 carries, looking every bit like an NFL rusher. He ran between the tackles, fell forward through contact. Even the guys likely headed for the practice squad, Israel Abanikanda and Phil Mafah, had huge moments against the Cardinals. Mafah took his only carry for a 15-yard touchdown without any great blocking, and Abanikanda added 49 yards on eight rushes. This entire running back group showed up big in the second preseason game, and Friday’s contest against the Saints is going to be a deciding factor for both the 53-man roster and the practice squad. Get ready for some tough decisions.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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