The Dallas Cowboys have been having yet another rough 2023 preseason, yet there are three Cowboys players that are drawing attention to fans and the NFL worldwide. Despite their stellar performances, the team is still looking for at least one win after losing to Seattle on Saturday night, 22-14. This wouldn’t matter since the point is to evaluate future talent en route to a roster spot. Dallas remains resting most of their starters before the regular season begins against the Giants.
Despite the two preseason losses, the team remains in good faith as these three Cowboys players will make promising strides. As they continue to build their roster, they are looking to see who can step in when it’s counted. Jalen Tolbert, Deuce Vaughn, and Rico Dowdle have done that. These stellar stars continue to build on what they want and that’s a roster spot.
Stellar Performances: Three Cowboys Players putting on a show
Jalen Tolbert
Tolbert continues to build his resume with another impressive performance against the Seahawks. He recorded four of six catches for 66 yards and continues to be open on routes for the quarterback to find him to breakout. This after he ran a perfect route, giving Will Grier enough time to scramble and find him near the endzone. His performance relieves the losses but shows that he deserves a starting job.
After a disappointing 2022 season outing, the second-year receiver is looking for vengeance after being patient to get more playing time. His recent embarrassing memorable moment was going offside in overtime against the Packers in the 2022 playoffs. Tolbert is looking to change that this season as he already proving that by solidifying his spot with other talented receivers. The anticipation sets making a turnaround prior to his 2022 season and he is doing just that.
Speaking of his performance this past Saturday against the Seahawks, he said, “I am just building on what I have been trying to build on the whole training camp. My takeaways can be speed and being able to play faster than everyone else. Not thinking too much, just going out there and really trying to be comfortable and comfortable.”
Indeed, he is showing that as he solidifies his confidence in alliance with stellar receivers, CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks.
Deuce Vaughn
Vaughn continues to dazzle through defenders as he had another stellar performance in Seattle. He made an electrifying spin play for a 14-yard touchdown in a must-see fashion. It’s no question that his size and speed are like NFL veteran, Darren Sproles. This is good news for Mike McCarthy and the offense as it opens more doors to the run game.
Typically, NFL coaches worry about the size of a player, but it doesn’t worry Dallas as it has paid off for Vaughn’s preseason performance. His elusive ability has also paid off against the Jaguars in his first outing. He ended that game by recording eight rushes for 50 yards and a touchdown while catching three of his targets for six yards. After a sloppy ending loss for the Cowboys, Vaughn continues to steal the show.
The five-foot-five mini tank will look to have his biggest performance this regular season after proving his preseason outing.
Rico Dowdle
Dowdle had an opportunity for RB2 but was unable to capitalize on that due to his performance against the Jaguars. He only had 21 yards on the ground game and just 33 receiving yards, including one fumble. He later improves to have a stellar performance against the Seahawks. This includes swinging out for a 6-yard touchdown catch early first quarter.
The 2020 UDFA was facing multiple injuries in his NFL career, but this past Saturday was his turnaround. He finished the night recording 38 yards with nine carries while adding two receptions as a pass-catcher. It’s no question that he’s fighting for a spot against Malik Davis, but it was Dowdle’s time.
The Cowboys will need to continue giving Dowdle more playing time to see if he will continue improving his run game. He’s always been seen by the coaching staff as a solid back. He only has 24 yards at the NFL level in his 2020 rookie season. Results have been sporadic but Dowdle is looking to pick that up against Arizona in preseason week three.
A @DallasCowboys lead thanks to the combo of Cooper Rush and Rico Dowdle.
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