Holden's preseason showing in Oxnard was a tangible punch of promise for Cowboys fans and fantasy managers alike. He entered late in the game and hauled in two receptions for 42 yards, ripping a 35-yard catch that helped set up a Dallas scoring drive. The moment underscored his mindset—stack days, stay relentless, and push for a roster spot even as an undrafted rookie. The immediate takeaway is simple: he can win on the field, but the bigger question is whether two more exhibitions and continued practice momentum are enough to pry a spot behind the trio of Lamb, Pickens, and Turpin.

Dallas’ WR room is crowded but not impregnable. Lamb is the clear foundation, Turpin provides a multi-role spark, and Pickens sits as a high-upside but still-established piece. Holden’s path hinges on sustaining the hot streak, excelling in practice, and showing value on special teams. If he can carry this into Game 2 against Baltimore, his odds of sticking on the 53-man roster rise from intriguing to realistic—and the fantasy upside, while niche, could emerge as a late-season surprise in best-ball and deep leagues.

Dallas Cowboys host Baltimore in the second preseason game, a true dress rehearsal for a roster still sorting depth. Tyler Booker is set to debut at right guard, aiming to prove he belongs as the team looks for a long-term answer there. Booker’s training-camp buzz and first-round pedigree frame his Week 2 test as a potential breakthrough for the Cowboys’ interior line. Marist Liufau steps into a larger role on defense with Kenneth Murray out, while Perrion Winfrey has drawn steady camp applause at defensive tackle. Zion Childress brings UDFA versatility that could keep him in the nickel mix, and Traeshon Holden has shown week-to-week flashes at wideout. Rookie Mazi Smith and Jay Toia carry some uneven Week 1 notes, but Winfrey’s rise and Holden’s early production keep Dallas’ camp narrative lively. All eyes on Week 2 against the Ravens as the Cowboys push to lock in depth before the final preseason stretch.

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.

Traeshon Holden, an undrafted free agent, flashed late in Dallas’ preseason clash with the Rams, hauling in two receptions for 42 yards, including a 35-yard strike from Joe Milton that helped set up good field position. The moment underscored a consistent right-place-right-time vibe from Holden, who has been turning heads in camp with big plays on a daily basis. The coach’s praise was unmistakable: Holden shows up and makes plays, one or two big ones every practice, and he’s moving up the depth chart.

With Holden threatening to leapfrog Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Brooks, and Ryan Flournoy, Dallas now faces a critical next test against Baltimore. A repeat performance would cement a real depth-chart ascension, though the Rams game was limited reveal. Milton’s air yards to Holden and Dallas’ evolving receiver mix hint at a path for Holden to carve meaningful snaps if he stays consistent and capitalizes on every opportunity.

Week 1 NFL preseason offered a clear window into roster battles and breakout moments, with several Oregon Ducks alumni turning heads in NFL action. Traeshon Holden thrived for Dallas with a team-high 42 receiving yards on two targets, signaling a climb up the depth chart for a UDFA en route to potential late-season value. Noah Sewell flashed on defense for Chicago, piling up six tackles and a goal-line tackle that hinted at a key fit in Dennis Allen’s 4-3 scheme. Josh Conerly Jr. showed steady progress in his Chiefs-like test against New England’s defense at right tackle, posting a favorable pass-blocking and run-blocking grade. Troy Dye’s tackle against the Saints underscored his likely specialization and roster security in Los Angeles. Jamaree Caldwell delivered a Hall of Fame game day for Los Angeles, collecting a sack and four tackles, cementing a potential 53-man roster case. Denver’s Troy Franklin joined the party of Ducks edging toward meaningful NFL snaps with Denver, highlighting the depth of Ducks talent in the pros. As clubs sort through squadrons and special-teams roles, these veterans and rookies map the path to fantasy relevance and late-round upside for fantasy managers and bettors alike.

Overall, Week 1 showcased how immediate NFL opportunities can emerge from preseason performances. The Ducks-connected group illustrated a spectrum: Holden and Sewell offering tangible Week 1 momentum; Conerly Jr. and Caldwells’ and Dye’s micro-showings suggesting depth chart fights that could pay off in deeper fantasy rosters; and Franklin adding to a crowded Broncos WR corps. For fantasy managers, monitoring snap counts, depth-chart shifts, and special-teams duties from these players will be crucial as teams trim rosters toward the regular season. The weekend reminded everyone that preseason results often seed valuable late-season stories, especially for UDFA and mid-round rookies eager to prove they belong.