3 Biggest Decisions Cowboys face After Preseason Finale

The Dallas Cowboys have officially closed the book on the preseason, but the difficult of the offseason is only the beginning.

Dallas finished its preseason schedule with a 27-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Friday night. The result itself won’t mean much once the regular season begins, but several performances could factor heavily into how the Cowboys construct their initial 53-man roster.

With roster cuts approaching and the season opener against the New York Giants getting closer, head coach Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys’ front office have several difficult decisions remaining.

Here are three of the biggest.

Cowboys have a difficult decision at backup quarterback

Joe Milton appeared to have a firm grip on the No. 2 quarterback job after impressive performances earlier in the preseason, but Sam Howell made sure the competition ended with some intrigue.

Milton completed 8 of 15 passes for 92 yards against after putting together an impressive first two preseason games. Howell took advantage of his opportunity in the second half, completing 12 of 18 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored on a two-point conversion to tie the game late.

Now Dallas must decide whether keeping three quarterbacks is worth sacrificing a roster spot elsewhere.

Milton’s physical tools and upside remain intriguing, while Howell provides an experienced option who has shown he can operate an NFL offense. With Dak Prescott, entrenched as the starter, the Cowboys could ultimately decide there is value in keeping both backups rather than losing one.

Dallas may have found its running back room

The preseason finale may have provided significantly more clarity at running back.

Malik Davis and Jaydon Blue didn’t play against the Saints, leaving Phil Mafah and Israel Anamikanda to handle the majority of the opportunities. That decision could be an indication that Davis and Blue already have spots secured alongside Javonte Williams and fullback Hunter Luepke.

Neither Mafah nor Abanikanda did enough to make Dallas’ decision especially difficult. Mafah was the more productive runner, while Abanikanda hurt his chances with a fumble.

Carrying Williams, Davis, Blue and Luepke would already give Dallas four players in its backfield. That makes keeping a fifth difficult unless the Cowboys are willing to go lighter at another position.

The more realistic outcome could be attempting to get Mafah or Abanikanda back onto its practice squad after roster cuts.

Camden Brown has made himself difficult to cut

Few Cowboys players helped themselves more throughout the preseason than wide receiver Camden Brown.

Brown finished the preseason with six receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an impressive 27.7 yards per reception. He continued making his case against New Orleans with another contested catch that showcased his ability to win at the catch point.

Dallas already has CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin occupying the top four receiver spots. Jonathan Mingo also didn’t dress against New Orleans, a strong indication that the Cowboys view him as part of their plans.

That leaves Brown potentially fighting for a sixth receiver spot.

The Cowboys could waive Brown and attempt to bring him back on the practice squad, but his preseason production makes that a significant gamble. Another receiver-needy team could easily see the same upside Dallas has watched throughout training camp.

Brown has done just about everything Dallas could have asked to make himself one of those players that they simply can’t let go.

With the preseason complete, the Cowboys’ biggest challenge is no longer evaluating their roster. It’s deciding which promising players they’re willing to risk losing.