Dallas fell 31-21 to Los Angeles in the first screen of the Cowboys’ preseason, but the tape offered concrete takeaways for fantasy folks. Joe Milton III began shaky, then settled in with softer, better-placed throws late in the third, suggesting a ceiling that could shimmer if he tightens consistency behind Dak Prescott. Nate Thomas started at left tackle with promising pass protection and run-lane discipline, while Marist Liufau flashed as a disruptive second-year linebacker who can hit gaps and help in subpackages. DeMarvion Overshown continues to look like a developing building block, showing up in tackles and blitz moments, and Zion Childress logged multiple clean pops while Zion Childress could force a roster decision on the backend. Tyrus Wheat kept showing up with run stops, pressures, and special-teams juice. The overarching narrative: Prescott’s health remains the domino, Milton is flirting with a real backup ceiling, and the first-team’s fallible depth could become a fantasy-leaning storyline as rosters trim toward Week 1.

Beyond the box score, the Rams game served as a live audition for several depth players, underscoring a Dallas pipeline where the QB room, offensive line, and linebacking corps—especially Liufau and Overshown—will be watched closely. This week’s rewatch reinforces that the Cowboys’ 53-man cutoff could hinge on a few players who can contribute in multiple phases, from pass protection to coverage to special teams. For fantasy managers, the key is monitoring Milton’s continued development, Thomas’ left-tackle competition, Liufau’s floor as a backup hybrid, and Wheat’s role on defense and specials as a potential weekly streamer in certain matchups.