Cowboys RBs Among 3 to Watch in Preseason Finale vs. Raiders
The Dallas Cowboys are set to partake in their third and final preseason game of 2023 as they welcome the Las Vegas Raiders to AT&T Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Saturday night.
With final roster cut downs set for Tuesday [Aug. 29] both teams should be expected to expand upon their schemes, installations and positional matchups as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Though many Cowboys players are expected to garner some attention during Friday’s matchup - we make note of Will Grier (out with the Trey Lance trade) and Mazi Smith (needed, and soon!) here for two wildly different reasons - here are three players on offense that might raise an eyebrow when Dallas takes the field against the Raiders.
Rico Dowdle
Though Dowdle is largely believed to have also earned his spot, he has the chance to enhance his claim for the No. 2 spot behind lead back Tony Pollard. The South Carolina product carried the ball eight times for 38 yards and caught two of three passes for nine yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys' 22-14 preseason loss to the Seahawks last Saturday night. He also returned one kickoff for 23 yards.
Through two exhibition contests, the 25-year-old has featured in the Cowboys offense, especially on early downs. If Dowdle can build upon his 59 yards on 14 carries in his two previous preseason games, his experience may provide him a slight edge over rookie Deuce Vaughn for the second tier on the depth chart.
Hunter Luepke
While listing a second back in this spot may be a bit of a cheat, it is important to remember that Luepke is capable of filling both traditional running back and fullback roles. ... at least in NFL theory.
As a standout at North Dakota State, Luepke compiled 621 yards and nine touchdowns, while also contributing 196 yards and four touchdowns on 14 receptions as a backfield receiver. Still, the undrafted rookie has logged just six carries for nine yards throughout the preseason.
Time may be running thin for him to make a convincing case for a spot on Dallas’ top 53. However, should Mike McCarthy make good on his decree to play Luepke “a lot” against the Raiders, he may give himself just enough of a platform to bolster his argument.
Juanyeh Thomas
Despite facing a logjam of talent at his listed position of strong safety, Thomas may have a relatively smooth pathway to earning a roster spot. With coordinator Dan Quinn’s preference for using safeties to take on the duties of linebacker, the Georgia Tech product’s aggressive style may be exactly what the Cowboys need to offset the injury to linebacker DeMarvion Overshown.
Thomas, who may be in a battle with fellow big safety Markquese Bell for a job (and maybe with linebacker Jabril Cox for snaps) has performed well in both training camp and preseason, having logged eight tackles, two passes-defensed and one interception of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
With another strong performance against the Raiders, Thomas’ defensive skill set, along with his special-teams prowess, may make him a necessary piece with which Dallas is reluctant to part.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.
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