Youth Shows Up in Cowboys' Preseason Opening Win Over Seattle

SEATTLE, WA — The Dallas Cowboys won their first preseason game over the weekend, and a couple of undrafted rookies turned some heads.

The Cowboys won their preseason opener for the first time since 2018 when they beat the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, 17-7. The starters didn’t get a lot of time, if any, so that means rookies and dreamers got their chance to shine.

One of the Cowboys' undrafted rookie wide receivers did just that. Camden Brown, who played at Auburn before transferring to Georgia Southern, caught three passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Brown has been making plays in training camp but now has caught everyone’s attention. These weren’t just routine touchdown grabs as one score was a one-handed fade from inside the red zone, and his other score was a 39-yard pass from quarterback Sam Howell that he wrestled away from the defender.

Starting quarterback Dak Prescott did not play, so Joe Milton and Howell took over and were a combined 20-of-27 passing for 201 yards and two TDs. The fight for the backup spot is not any clearer after the game as both played well.

Brown wasn’t the only pass catcher to receive some praise as former Baylor tight end Michael Trigg led the team in receptions with four catches for 30 yards. While he did not score, his catches helped extend drives that ended in scores. A seventh-round pick, wide receiver Anthony Smith, tied for third in receptions with two for 28 yards.

The rushing attack did well as the Cowboys ran the ball 36 times for 137 yards. Malik Davis and Israel Abanikanda each had seven rushes for 39 and 26 yards, respectively. Second-year running back Jaydon Blue led the backfield in touches with eight rushes for 19 yards. However, Blue and Phil Mafah both had trouble finding any room to run.

Speaking of bad play, cornerback Caelen Carson had three penalties — a pass interference, a facemask, and a defensive holding totaling 34 penalty yards. In all, the Cowboys had 13 penalties, which has been an issue for a few seasons with Dallas.

Rookie first-round pick Caleb Downs only played the opening series before sitting the rest of the game. Malachi Lawrence, the Cowboys other first round pick, had two solo tackles and three overall and was held without a sack. The Cowboys did get some pressure, however, as Isaiah Land and James Houston each recorded one sack, and Reddy Stewart and Tyrus Wheat were credited with a half sack each.

That being said, the Cowboys held the Seahawks to 183 total yards and only gave up one touchdown to Montorie Foster Jr.

The Cowboys also had a special teams blunder when they muffed a punt inside the 5-yard line but the defense held up on the drive.

As for Brown, the Cowboys might not be able to stash the wide receiver on the practice squad as he probably won’t clear waivers if he is cut. 

Much of the roster has already been decided, but there are always open spots towards the bottom of each position. Trigg played well and time is running out for Luke Schoonmaker, who is injured at the moment. After starter Jake Ferguson and backup Breven Spann-Ford, Trigg could very well work his way onto the roster.

At receiver, the Cowboys already have one of the best duos in the NFL in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Behind them, Ryan Flournoy started catching on last season, and KaVontae Turpin offers returning ability. Dallas did trade a pick to the Carolina Panthers for Jonathan Mingo, who has not really been a factor since. They also signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling this offseason, so between Valdez-Scantling, Anthony Smith and Camden Brown, the Cowboys have a good problem with too many receivers.

As for the defense, the Cowboys signed former All-Pro Von Miller, who would have led the team last year in sacks with nine. Even at 37, Miller still gets the job done. That move helps bridge the gap for young players like Lawrence and Donovan Ezeiruaku.

Inside linebacker is always a question even with the additions of Dee Winters and rookie Jaishawn Barham. DeMarvion Overshown has yet to stay healthy.

For the secondary, Shavon Revel nearly had a pick-6 against the Seahawks. At one point, Revel was considered one of the best corners in last year’s draft until a knee injury dropped him to the third round.

In all, it was an encouraging show from the Cowboys' young players, who will look to continue to show what they can do when they make the stop in Arizona on the way home from California for their next preseason game at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.