Week 1 inactive for Jaydon Blue sparks debate about his role in Dallas, with Brian Schottenheimer stressing that young players must earn opportunities and show consistency. Javonte Williams anchors the backfield for now, but Blue remains a real long‑term factor if he tightens up his game pace and routine.

Dak Prescott’s performance in the loss to Philadelphia keeps fantasy angles alive, while the Week 2 Cowboys‑Giants clash and potential QB questions add drama for backfield projections. Tyler Booker’s debut hints at growing depth, and Blue’s timeline will shape future value in this evolving Dallas offense.

Washington's unofficial depth chart lists Croskey-Merritt as RB4, a designation that looked odd after he sat the finale with Ekeler and with the Brian Robinson Jr. trade opening space for the rookie Bill. Could Croskey-Merritt seize a Week 1rolle, or is this another case where depth charts mislead? The contrast with Dallas' Week 1 drama—Jaydon Blue as RB3 who ended up inactive—shows how these charts can hint at opportunities or misfire entirely. Fantasy players should monitor Croskey-Merritt’s status closely as Week 1 approaches.

The ripple effects extend beyond Washington. If Croskey-Merritt lands a meaningful touch count, it could reshape the backfield dynamic in a crowded RB room. Meanwhile, Blue’s Week 1 fate underscores that even prominent depth-chart signals can fail to predict inactive lists, making Week 1 usage a fantasy-adventure filled with ambiguity.

Mazi Smith was inactive in Dallas’ opener as the Cowboys opened the season amid a blockbuster trade that sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay for Kenny Clark and two first-round picks, instantly reshaping the interior line. Clark anchors the middle, while Smith continues to be developed under coach Brian Schottenheimer, who demanded more consistency from the 2023 first-rounder.

Smith’s two-year output and low PFF grades underscore the growth still required. Inactive Friday: Jaydon Blue, Shemar James, Ajani Cornelius, Hakeem Adeniji, Trevor Keegan, with Perrion Winfrey sidelined by a back issue. The rotation figures to be volatile as Dallas adjusts to the new interior dynamic.

For fantasy, Smith’s value hinges on opportunity; Clark’s presence could compress immediate upside but unlock longer-term growth if Smith earns more snaps. Monitor snap counts and how the DL rotation settles in coming weeks as Dallas retools its defense around the Clark-Parsons reshuffle.

Week 1 fantasy decisions hinge on Dak Prescott’s health and aerial volume, the backfield shakeup in Dallas, and strong Week 1 targets across the Eagles. Prescott, Brown, and Smith headline the must-starts, with Williams and Sanders in the mix for mid-range RBs. Goedert and Ferguson provide TE upside, while Elliott stands out as a solid Week 1 kicker play.

Our start-sit guide emphasizes matchup realities: Cowboys-Eagles opens with heavy air-ready ceilings and cautious rushing expectations for Williams, Blue, and Tolbert. The Week 1 Who Should I Start tool offers concise recommendations when comparing these names head-to-head, helping you lock in high-floor, high-ceiling lineups.