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.

Oxnard’s training-camp finale underscored a 365-day, evaluation-forward mindset for the Cowboys, with roster depth and competition front and center as players push for roles before cut-down day. Zion Childress has surged to the nickel, challenging for a starting spot and signaling a potential undrafted path to Week 1 reps. Mafah impressed with a workmanlike, instinctive run style, while Blue’s ankle and Sanders’ knee adjustments shaped early opportunities for the rookie to rise. Linebacker depth has brightened, led by Liufau, James, Clark, Sanborn and Murray, giving Dallas a more versatile second level. In the secondary, injuries and ambiguity in the corner group have narrowed options, heightening urgency to identify Week 1 contributors. Tolbert’s non-stat contributions and the broader WR room remain under watch as coaches push players to prove they can lift the run game and blocking discipline. Jerry Jones and Schottenheimer stress patient evaluation as the team edges toward roster decisions.

Key risers and fallers: Childress climbed from the bottom to most nickel reps, with Hall pushing for time and Bland waiting for outside duties. Mafah’s stock rose as he ran with urgency in Oxnard, while Blue’s ankle and Sanders’ knee opened doors for Mafah to show more in practice and preseason. Linebackers Liufau, James, Clark, Sanborn and Murray rebuilt depth with physical play and schemes. The cornerback room faced more hurdles: Carson’s knee, Revel Jr.’s gradual return, and Diggs/Butler health keep four corners in flux. Mazi Smith has spoken honestly about progress; Toia flashed potential on the interior. Tolbert’s blocking and versatility keep him in the conversation as a secondary option behind Turpin and Pickens-era chatter.

Cowboys depth at cornerback is under scrutiny as Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel rehab from knee surgeries, leaving Kaiir Elam and DaRon Bland as the edge corners with a crowded battle for the slot. Competition behind them includes Kemon Hall, Israel Mukuamu and Zion Childress, with Andrew Booth’s roster status uncertain amid a lingering knee issue for Caelen Carson and Josh Butler on the PUP list. Diggs’ return target is mid-September, Revel could move to PUP to start the season, and the preseason opener highlighted promising plays from Booth, Mukuamu and Booth’s tight coverage. Dallas is balancing return timelines with flexible coverage, aiming to stabilize the group quickly once Diggs is back.

Depth behind Diggs remains unsettled, forcing constant reorganization and daily competition. Eliable reps are being distributed to evaluate who can handle outside, nickel and slot duties, while the staff weighs which combinations maximize both pass defense and run support. The Cowboys will lean on competition and health updates to finalize the roster and roles as Diggs nears a return and Revel’s status becomes clearer.

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.

The Dallas Cowboys have bolstered their roster by signing nine undrafted rookie free agents since the recent draft. This strategic move aligns with the franchise's history of success in utilizing undrafted talent, exemplified by legends like Drew Pearson and Tony Romo. The 2025 class includes notable players like Tyler Booker from Alabama, who has the potential to make a significant impact on the offensive line. Additionally, defensive backs Zion Childress and Alijah Clark, both recognized for their collegiate achievements, add depth to the secondary. With these signings, the Cowboys aim to enhance their competitiveness as they look ahead to the upcoming season.