The Cowboys’ latest roster chatter centers on five players who could flip from bubble to staple as cutdown day approaches, with Friday’s preseason finale against Atlanta serving as the deciding stage. Brian Schottenheimer warns mock rosters will offer surprises, underscoring Dallas’ patience with development and the brutal not-for-long reality of August football. The pieces highlight Mazi Smith as a candidate who could still find a path, James Houston’s edge burst as a potential separator, Mafah Blue Holden’s rookie adjustments, and a cluster of wideouts and cornerbacks battling for depth and special-teams value.

Five bubble cases drive the narrative: Smith’s first-round pedigree clashes with a three-year DL development trope, while Houston shows a rare first-step spark amid crowded DL depth. Mafah is contending for a late-season roster spot after a steady training camp, and Holden’s standout finish keeps a rookie-wayline open for a surprising status shift. The WRs Flournoy and Brooks—plus rookie Holden—test how special-teams impact carries. In the CB room, injuries complicate lines between Booth, Mukuamu and the holdovers, with Ellam-Bland-injury dynamics shaping the final roster picture.

The mood across Frisco is pragmatic: the 53-man projection is a moving target, and the Friday showcase could redefine the Cowboys’ approach to depth, special teams and floor-raising performances for the opening month of the season.

Dallas’ young defensive core showed leadership and cohesion off the field even as contract talks swirl around Micah Parsons. A birthday-night video featuring Parsons carrying the cake for Odighizuwa and Overshown highlighted a locker room vibe that could translate to a tougher, more connected unit this season. Parsons remains the standout talent, but Odighizuwa and Overshown are emerging as foundational pieces alongside interior disruptors like Mazi Smith.

Odighizuwa’s four-year, $80 million extension with $58 million guaranteed cements him as an engine of the line, per Matt Eberflus. He’s already mentoring the younger tackles and building the chemistry the defense needs under Brian Schottenheimer’s culture-first approach. The trio’s growth, plus the run-stuffing presence of Smith and depth at DT, could unlock more pressure on the quarterback for Parsons and the edge group. Even amid a reported trade stance from Parsons, the Cowboys seem intent on sustaining a disciplined, competitive environment that fantasy managers should watch closely as the defense stabilizes under new leadership.

The dynamic around Parsons aside, the Cowboys’ culture and interior backbone appear set to drive a steady fantasy floor for the DAL defense. Overshown’s mobility and Odighizuwa’s consistency create upside in IDP formats, while Smith’s interior presence should keep Dallas stout against the run. In short, the room is building toward a cohesive, playmaking unit that should remain a relevant, dependable fantasy asset during a season likely defined by growth under Eberflus and Schottenheimer.

Dallas faces a defining season for its defense as Mazi Smith enters year three with a mandate to anchor the run stop. The club identifies two big holes—defensive tackle and cornerback—and while Jerry Jones hints at extra help, the responsibility to close the gap rests with Smith and a retooled unit. Smith stresses that the mental edge will unlock his physical tools, signaling a potential breakout if the head remains in the right gear.

Smith’s trajectory has been rocky—weight swings, three coordinators in three years, and a default 1-tech role. The piece suggests Matt Eberflus could be the catalyst for a meaningful leap if Smith buys into a consistent technique and situational discipline. With Trevon Diggs returning from injury and doors not fully closed on outside help, Dallas is betting on internal growth to steady the defense while preserving the 53-man setup.

The takeaway for fantasy eyes: watch Smith’s snap count and run-stopping success, plus Diggs’ health and how a fuller secondary reshapes the Cowboys’ defensive ceiling in early-season matchups.

The Cowboys return home to AT&T Stadium for Week 2 of the preseason, facing the Baltimore Ravens in a marquee tune‑up that doubles as a barometer for Dallas’ offense and depth. Joe Milton Jr. will start, seeking a more consistent, crisp showing after the opener against the Rams, while Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb were visible in uniform during pregame, hinting at timing and rhythm drills with top targets. Jalen Tolbert and Cooper Beebe figure prominently in the notes, with Beebe snapping at center as Dallas tries to stabilize the interior line and Milton tests his chemistry with the pass catchers.

Mazi Smith is highlighted as a league-ready difference-maker who’s entering his third season with no excuses, a storyline that dovetails with the Cowboys’ preseason evaluation of the defensive line and its push‑through potential. The Ravens loom as the Week 2 opponent, and the Dallas contingent is focused on a cleaner, more consistent performance after a mixed first outing. The presence of Milton, alongside Prescott’s re-emergence as a signal-caller and Lamb’s continued elite production, underpins a fantasy lens that will watch Milton’s growth, Tolbert’s route‑running, and Beebe’s snap count as the team tries to translate practice tempo into game-day efficiency.

From a fantasy perspective, Milton’s workload and efficiency will be the spark to watch if he holds the Week 2 lead. Lamb remains a premier target, Tolbert could see more reps as Milton pushes the ball downfield, and Beebe’s center role could unlock smoother interior execution. Prescott’s involvement in pregame and Beebe’s emergence offer clues on how Dallas might deploy its best weapons when the regular season arrives, even as the depth players seek to seize late-summer opportunities against Baltimore.

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.