NFL preseason report: Dallas Cowboys

This page will be regularly updated with news and analysis regarding the Cowboys’ skill position players throughout training camp and the preseason. ⬆︎ ⬇︎ Indicate which way a player’s fantasy value is trending and (R) denotes rookies.

Warren Sharp has the Cowboys with the 14th hardest schedule this season.

Quarterback

Dak Prescott ⬇ -- The Cowboys did Dak no favors this offseason by bringing in a lackluster cast of characters to play the roles of pass catchers. Furthermore, per Sharp, Dallas is set to face one of the most brutal slate of pass defense in the NFL. If you were targeting Dak in drafts, look elsewhere.

Running Back

Ezekiel Elliott ⬆︎ -- The saving grace of the Cowboys’ season is a slate of manageable opposing run defense. The Cowboys will ride Zeke til the cows come home this year. And they may even be throwing him the ball too. Draft him with confidence.

Rod Smith ⬆︎ -- Smith is one of the numerous, capable ex-Seahawks back currently floating around the league (*sigh*). He possess an all-around skill set and would be a high-ceiling RB2 should Zeke get suspended or hurt.

Bo Scarbrough (R) ⬇ -- Scarbrough is a downhill thumper who could effectively fill the role of a power back should Zeke miss time. It’s unlikely he leapfrogs Smith though.

Wide Receivers

Allen Hurns ⬇ -- Hurns has had success as a outside receiver but has mostly occupied the slot in recent years. It’s unclear how he’ll transition back outside. A 9th round ADP is cheap for a team’s projected No. 1 WR but there are other available there (and later) who I’d much prefer to take a flyer on. I just can’t imagine a time when I’d feel good starting him.

Michael Gallup (R) ⬆︎ -- If I’m going to gamble on a Cowboys’ wideout it’s Gallup. He’s a savvy route runner, has shown well in camp so far, and is coming off the board in the 13th round. That’s much easier to stomach than Hurns in the 9th.

Deonte Thompson ⬆︎/⬇ -- Thompson is technically trending up but I can’t imagine this team field a usable No. 3 wideout.

Terrance Williams ⬇ -- Williams has recovered from his offseason foot surgery and hasn’t lost his roster spot in camp but there’s not a lot to be optimistic about.

Tavon Austin ⬆︎ -- Incredibly, Tavon Austin’s stock is up. He’s been putting on a show throughout training camp as both a running back and receiver. With the Cowboys’ extremely difficult slate of pass defenses on the horizon, establishing a new safetly blanket in the post-Witten era would be huge for Dak. Stephen Jones laughably suggested Austin could get 12-24 touches per game -- 24 is not going to happen. But 12? Perhaps as a ceiling? I won’t believe it until I see it in Week 3 of the preseason but this is suddenly a situation that actually deserves our attention.

Cole Beasley ⬇ -- Beasley will make the final roster as a steady veteran but I won’t be drafting him as there just won’t be enough quality passing volume to go around.

Tight End

Geoff Swain ⬇ -- Swaim comes in No. 1 on the team’s initial depth chart. The issue is that he’s not as good as his teammate, Rico Gathers.

Blake Jarwin ⬇ -- Jarwin likewise came in above Gathers on the depth chart but I’ll believe he deserves it when I see it in the preseason.

Rico Gathers ⬇ -- Someday, a smart team will get ahold of this 6’6” ballerina and my, oh my he will dance. But today is not that day. Gathers is stuck with a moronic coaching staff who asked the above-average pass catcher to bulk up (282lbs) in order to be a better blocker.