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.