Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens in Dallas kicks off a critical preseason storyline: who among the ambitious camp risers can press for the 53-man roster and who will fade as cuts loom. Joe Milton III is the focal point, tasked with accelerating in Schottenheimer’s system, refining timing and ball placement rather than blasting throws. Tyler Booker makes his NFL debut in this rematch, a big test for the first-rounder as the Cowboys look to solidify their blocking unit and run game in live action.

Across the depth chart, Deuce Vaughn and Jaydon Blue will vie for meaningful touches alongside Phil Mafah, Malik Davis, and Hunter Luepke, all seeking to prove they belong on the final roster. At receiver, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Brooks, Traeshon Holden, Ryan Flournoy, and Jalen Cropper battle for snaps behind the topters, with Holden and Flournoy drawing particular attention after productive Rams performances. The Rams reference in Week 1 lingers as a benchmark for polish and timing, while the Ravens contest provides a fresh gauge on the Cowboys’ roster prospects and fantasy upside ahead of the final cuts.

Dallas faced a 31-21 defeat to Los Angeles, but one rookie Receiver gave the Cowboys something to watch: Ryan Flournoy. He ran crisp routes, created separation, and flashed strong hands, though a Milton overthrow kept his biggest play from materializing. Coach Brian Schottenheimer noted Flournoy’s evolving releases and his ability to shed tackles, signaling a potential rise in the depth chart as the preseason narrows. The WR competition remains fluid with Tolbert, Mingo, Brooks, Holden, and Flournoy all in the mix, with special-teams value becoming the tiebreaker for a final 53-man spot.

The Cowboys’ depth chart discussion centers on who brings game-day value beyond receiving stats. Flournoy’s performance, paired with Tolbert’s known upside, Mingo’s versatility, Brooks’s route juice, and Holden’s flashes, keeps Dallas honoring a multi-man rotation. Schottenheimer stressed that special-teams contributions will be decisive for who makes the roster, especially for players in the third and fourth phases. With two preseason games left, the message is clear: catches matter, but how you play on special teams may decide your fate.

Fantasy players should monitor Flournoy’s continued progression and how Dallas assigns reps behind Tolbert and the top trio. If the team leans into a role-player who can return, block, and catch, Flournoy could offer a late-round floor with upside as an insurance policy in deeper leagues. Meanwhile, Milton’s QB connection and the evolving WR group suggest volatility but also opportunity for opportunistic bets as Dallas refines its depth ahead of the season.

Dallas Cowboys training camp shifts to the second preseason test against Baltimore, with observations centering on how Dallas fixes the issues exposed in the Rams tune-up. Miles Sanders returns to practice healthy and active, while Payton Turner’s status and the WR depth behind top targets draw attention. Jalen Brooks’ status adds a wrinkle to the Cowboys’ receiver picture, and Joe Milton vs Will Grier remains a key backup QB debate as Schottenheimer and staff size up the special-teams and situational usage ahead of the Ravens game.

Fantasy angles loom large as Dallas weighs line depth, backfield usage, and which youngsters step up in August. The Netflix doc-reveal questions and Schottenheimer’s approach to play-calling could shape weekly upside for Cowboys options. With the Ravens on deck, coaches will scrutinize personnel packages, red-zone rhythm, and stability on third downs—the kind of details fantasy managers crave when projecting August and early-season value.

Preseason action at SoFi Stadium puts Cowboys rookies and roster-bubble players on display, led by Joe Milton III as he takes real NFL reps for the first time against the Rams. Milton’s performance will hinge on timing, progression reads, and accuracy, offering a telling snapshot of his development path in 2025. The Cowboys’ run game should feature Phil Mafah, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, and possibly Malik Davis, with Mafah drawing the most intrigue after practice-level flashes. At receiver, Milton will test chemistry with Jalen Brooks, Jonathan Mingo, Traeshon Holden, Ryan Flournoy, and Jalen Cropper, a group that could shape the 2025 depth chart. The Rams provide a challenging but valuable foil for evaluating who steps up when the bright lights are on.

Expect Milton to push timing and look off safety with a rhythm-first approach, while Mafah tries to translate practice form to actual game speed. Vaughn’s shiftiness and Luepke’s versatility could dictate third-down and goal-line usage, potentially foreshadowing 2025 role splits. Brooks’ big-play chemistry with Milton is a clear signal to watch for in-game consistency, while Mingo, Holden, and Cropper work to turn practice rep rapport into real-game production. This game isn’t about a win percentage so much as confirming which youngsters might lift the Cowboys’ ceiling in 2025.

Dallas Prada Milton III will log heavy reps in the coming three preseason games as the Cowboys push him to prove he can operate on time, work through progressions, and deliver accurate throws. A 75-yard connection to Jalen Brooks in a Rams joint practice spotlighted his arm talent and pairing with playmakers, hinting at a higher ceiling than his limited college/NFL reps might suggest. The plan is to maximize live reps while Dallas masks some plays for the regular season, making preseason a lab for Milton to drive the offense and learn on the fly.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer emphasizes reps as the critical currency for Milton’s development, acknowledging bumps along the way but valuing the on-field education. The Cowboys are watching not just Milton’s passing but how he handles the run game and receiver depth. If Milton acclimates quickly, fantasy managers could see a late-round stab with upside, especially if he earns meaningful backup work behind Dak Prescott and builds a rhythm before Week 1.

The broader takeaway: Milton’s progression, not perfection, will shape his 2025 arc. Dallas wants to see him manage tempo, progressions, and decision-making under pressure, with live-game reps serving as the true audition. The preseason runway will determine whether the offense can project a dynamic backup path or a cautious plan that relies more on the run game and established weapons to ease the transition.