Dallas dropped its preseason opener in Los Angeles, but the sting goes beyond the scoreboard. Brian Schottenheimer’s plan to keep top players in reserve exposed a thin depth chart on both lines and at corner, hinting at possible roster moves before Week 1. Joe Milton flashed more NFL polish as the backup QB, but consistency remained a hurdle as the Cowboys leaned into a vanilla script. Milton’s late rhythm and a seven-point surge showed upside, yet the early sequence underscored how crucial it is for depth to show up in real games.
Defensively, the Cowboys were outpaced by a Rams attack that capitalized on depth players’ miscommunications. Blake Corum scampered to two Rams TDs; the run game rang up 181 yards. Israel Mukuamu’s late pick was a bright spot for a nickel role, while CeeDee Lamb’s sideline penalty and the team’s 11 penalties signaled growing pains. The takeaway for fantasy: monitor the depth chart, especially at defensive tackle and cornerback, as Dallas prepares to open against Philadelphia.
Beyond Milton and Lamb, undrafted playmakers like Traeshon Holden and Rivaldo Fairweather flashed opportunities, but the point remains clear—Dallas needs more reliable contributors behind its stars. The Rams offered a blueprint for a quick-strike offense, while the Cowboys’ depth will likely shape practice reps, call sheets, and, eventually, the fantasy value of several bench players as the season approaches.
