Dallas Cowboys Preseason Opener: 6 Young Players Ready to Shine Against the Seahawks

The Big Picture: Football is Back in Oxnard!

Where: Oxnard, California
The Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks
When: Saturday Night (Preseason Game #1)

Think of preseason games like practice tests before the real exam. The scores don’t count for the standings, but they’re super important for players trying to make the team. This Saturday, the Cowboys kick off their three-game preseason schedule against the Seahawks, and it’s the perfect stage for young guys to say, "Hey Coach, pick me!"

Why This Game Matters: The Roster Puzzle

The Cowboys have 53 spots on their final roster. Some are locked up (like star quarterback Dak Prescott), but lots of backup jobs are wide open. Here are the biggest "Position Battles" to watch:

IMPORTANT POINT: Preseason isn’t just about stars. It’s about the bottom of the roster—guys fighting for spots #50, #51, #52, and #53. One good game can change a player’s life.

6 Players to Watch: Your "Cheat Sheet" for Saturday

Here are the six young players the Cowboys’ staff writers are circling on their programs. Keep your eyes on these numbers!

1. Jaydon Blue (Running Back) — The Speed Demon

• The Good: He has blazing speed. In a footrace, he beats almost everyone on the field.
• The Big Question: Can he hold onto the football?
• The Story: Fumbles have kept him from locking down the RB2 job. If he runs fast and protects the ball Saturday, the job is his.
• Writer: Tommy Yarrish

2. Justin Barron (Linebacker) — The Ball Hawk

• The Splash Play: He caught THREE interceptions in ONE practice against the Rams (another NFL team).
• The Opportunity: The Cowboys need depth at linebacker. Barron is turning heads at the perfect time.
• What to Watch: Can he make plays in a real game, not just practice?
• Writer: Patrik Walker

3. Michael Trigg (Tight End) — The "Unguardable" Rookie

• The Hype: Head Coach Mike McCarthy literally called him "unguardable" last week.
• The Reality Check: He’s a rookie from Baylor. He has the athleticism, but needs to learn the "details" (blocking, route precision, playbook).
• Best Chance to Shine: Second half of the game, when he’ll play against other rookies/backups.
• Writer: Nick Eatman

4. LT Overton (Defensive Tackle) — The Late-Round Steal?

• Draft Status: 4th Round Pick (Day 3). Usually, these guys start on the practice squad.
• The Surprise: He’s already practicing with the First-Team Defense (the starters!).
• Superpower: Strength. He clogs the middle of the line, making life hard for opposing offenses.
• Goal: A good game keeps him moving up the depth chart.
• Writer: Tommy Yarrish

5. Anthony Smith (Wide Receiver) — The WR4/WR5 Mystery Man

• The Context: Everyone knows the Top 3 WRs (CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, etc.). Spots #4 and #5 are a total mystery.
• The Rookie: 7th Round Pick (very late) from East Carolina University (ECU).
• The Resume: "Plenty of good days," plus a great joint practice vs. the Rams and another "impact practice" Thursday.
• The Dream: Steal a roster spot from a veteran.
• Writer: Patrik Walker

6. Alijah Clark (Safety) — The Comeback Kid

• The Scare: A few weeks ago, he went down with what looked like a serious ankle injury.
• The Recovery: He’s not just back—he’s "flying around and making plays" and even trash-talking receivers (a good sign for a DB!).
• The Crowded Room: Lots of safeties on the roster, but many veterans won’t play Saturday.
• The Window: This is his golden ticket to stand out alongside fellow young safety Julius Wood.
• Writer: Nick Eatman

How to Watch Like a Pro: 3 Steps

1. Don’t Watch the Ball Only: On any given play, pick one of the six players above and watch only him for the whole snap. Did he win his 1-on-1 battle?
2. Check the Second Half: Starters play a quarter or two. The real roster battles happen in Q3 and Q4. That’s where Trigg, Smith, and Clark will get their most snaps.
3. Look for "Splash" + "Consistency": One big play is cool. Doing your job correctly every play makes the team.

Summary: What We Learned Today

• The Cowboys open the preseason Saturday night vs. Seattle in Oxnard.
• Backup jobs (QB2, RB2, CB2, WR4/5, LB depth, Safety depth) are wide open.
• Six specific young players have a massive opportunity to secure a roster spot:
  1. Jaydon Blue (RB) — Needs ball security.
  2. Justin Barron (LB) — Riding a 3-INT practice high.
  3. Michael Trigg (TE) — "Unguardable" athlete learning the details.
  4. LT Overton (DT) — 4th rounder playing with the 1s.
  5. Anthony Smith (WR) — Late-round rookie pushing for WR4/5.
  6. Alijah Clark (S) — Healthy, feisty, and getting extra snaps.
• Best viewing strategy: Focus on the second half where the roster battles live.

FAQ: Your Preseason Questions Answered

Q1: Do preseason games count for the standings?
A: Nope! They are exhibition games. The record is 0-0 when the regular season starts. They are purely for evaluation.

Q2: Will Dak Prescott or CeeDee Lamb play?
A: Probably not much, if at all. Starters usually play a series or two in Game 1, or sometimes sit the whole game to avoid injury risk. This game is for the backups.

Q3: What is a "Joint Practice"?
A: It’s when two teams practice together for a few days instead of just their own teammates. It’s like a scrimmage but more controlled. Barron and Smith starred in the joint practice vs. the Rams last week.

Q4: What does "Depth Chart" mean?
A: It’s the team’s official ranking of players at each position. #1 is the starter. #2 is the primary backup. Moving "up the depth chart" means passing the guy ahead of you.

Q5: What happens to players who don’t make the 53-man roster?
A: They might get cut (released), or if they clear "waivers" (no other team claims them), they can be signed to the Practice Squad (up to 16 players who practice but don’t play on Sundays unless elevated).