Dallas faces a higher-stakes 2025 season as questions pile up on both sides of the ball. A lead backfield battle — Javonte Williams atop the depth chart with Miles Sanders and a rookie push — could shape early game plans for Dallas’ offense, while an injury-plagued offensive line tests Schottenheimer’s rotation and coaching acumen. The big swing in the story, though, is the secondary. PFF’s 31st-ranked pass defense entering 2025 signals a potential mismatch, even with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland on the roster. Diggs’ knee rehab clouds Week 1 readiness, forcing others to step up quickly.

Dallas’ back-end depth is under the microscope: Diggs’ absence to start the year, Bland’s dip from previous All-Pro chatter, and the health of veterans Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson create a precarious safety net. Israel Mukuamu holds the nickel job, but rumors point to Kemon Hall or a youth infusion pressing for snaps. In this environment, the Cowboys must balance banged-up blockers with a vulnerable secondary, and ownership’s risk tolerance could decide how aggressively Dallas addresses it midseason.

In fantasy terms, the Cowboys’ 2025 arc boils down to three levers: health and usage of the backfield, line stability, and the ability of the secondary to stay above water when multiple pieces aren’t at peak. If Williams, Sanders, and the offensive line can anchor the run game, Schottenheimer’s plans can open through play-action and tempo. If not, Dallas may lean on a more conservative attack while the defense fights through early-season bumps, making depth charts and matchups crucial for weekly lineup decisions.

Dallas’ 2025 outlook, per Mike Clay’s ranking, centers on the passing game: Lamb leads a top-10 wide receiver room, boosted by the addition of Pickens as a true WR2. The Bengals’ Chase-Higgins duo edges this group as the league’s best. Dallas’ RB corps sits at the bottom (No. 32) after signing Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders and adding Day 3 rookie Jaydon Blue, with Williams showing inefficiency and Sanders limited production, inviting Blue into a bigger early role. Overall, Dallas sits at No. 17 overall, anchored by a No. 11 quarterback group, with edge rush improving to No. 12 but linebacker slipping to No. 28. The blend suggests Lamb as the core fantasy engine, Williams/Blue as volatile but intriguing late-round contributors, and Parson’s defensive impact as a swing factor.

The Cowboys’ 2025 backfield depth chart remains one of the most intriguing storylines in training camp, even after OTA sessions and preseason action. Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, Phil Mafah, and Malik Davis have all flashed in Oxnard, with Williams and Davis flashing on multiple occasions and Blue drawing standout attention from coaches and fans alike. Brian Schottenheimer’s measured praise for Javonte Williams — refusing to name a starter while signaling he’s “having a hell of a camp” — keeps the guessing game alive about who will lead Dallas’ ground game. If Sanders and Blue suit up in the second preseason game against Baltimore, evaluators will be watching for who takes control of the early-down work, pass-catching opportunities, and red-zone touches. The room’s versatility could yield a committee that leans toward a hot-hand approach, with Williams’ bruising style and Williams’ pass-catching upside offering different paths to fantasy value. For fantasy enthusiasts, the evolving depth chart means frequent re-evaluations, especially as health and matchup dynamics shift through August and into Week 1.

Dallas Cowboys preseason intrigue starts with Dak Prescott’s health and the QB depth chart behind him. Milton’s big-arm upside and his readiness to handle game reps will be watched closely, while Will Grier also factors into the contingency plan. The Rams game is about evaluating how ready Milton is to back up Prescott should the injury bug return.

The running back rotation is up for grabs after Jaydon Blue’s bone bruise. Javonte Williams, Phil Mafah, Deuce Vaughn, and Hunter Luepke will share snaps to prove who sticks, while Vaughn must stay sharp to stay in the mix. In the secondary, Zion Childress, Israel Mukuamu, and Kaiir Elam will get looks in slot and various spots as Dallas tests depth and versatility.

Stopping the run remains a concern, with Mazi Smith tasked as a cornerstone and Solomon Thomas brought in to fortify the interior. Even if the game lacks meaning in the standings, these reps will shape roster decisions and signal fantasy upside for several Cowboys as cuts approach.

Overall, the night should illuminate who can handle real-game pressure, who earns supporting roles, and which players could surprise come Week 1—even if the scoreboard doesn’t.