Can Markquese Bell & Juanyeh Thomas Both Make Cowboys 53-Man Roster?

Second-year safety Markquese Bell had an impressive showing with 10 tackles in the Dallas Cowboys preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, joining Juanyeh Thomas as a standout.

The Dallas Cowboys fell 28-23 at home in their preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, but there were still some positive takeaways.

Most notably, the Cowboys' youth showed up in a big way. One example is running back Deuce Vaughn, a seventh-round pick in April's draft, who had an impressive debut with 50 rushing yards and a touchdown. 

Another example, but one that went more unnoticed, was the performance of a pair of second-year safeties in Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell. ... two guys trying to catch up with Dallas' "Three-Headed Monster'' at safety.

Bell signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent last year and managed to make the roster out of camp. He only played sparingly in the regular season, suiting up for five games but recording just one total tackle, but if he plays like he did on Saturday, that could change quickly.

The former Florida A&M safety was all over the field on Saturday. He led the team with 10 total tackles (no other Cowboy had more than six), tied for the team-high in solo tackles with four and had a pass defended for good measure. Bell's performance had fans talking, with several taking note on social media.

What a game it was for FAMU alum/Cowboys safety Markquese Bell 🛎️ against Jacksonville!
His ten tackles led the Dallas defense and he also had a PBU. ⭐️🐍

📸: @dallascowboys #PreseasonWeek1 pic.twitter.com/GFVBZ9kztt

— LIGHT ON COLLEGE SPORTS (@LightOnSports) August 13, 2023

Bell went through quite the journey in his college career. He started his career at Maryland, but after being suspended ahead of his freshman season, he transferred to Coffeyville Community College in 2018. He then transferred again to Florida A&M in 2019, recording 61 tackles, five tackles for loss, 16 passes defended, five interceptions and two forced fumbles. He took on a different role in 2021, his final collegiate season, posting 95 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two passes defended, one interception and five forced fumbles.

Meanwhile, Thomas set a solid defensive tone for the evening with an interception of Jags QB Trevor Lawrence on the very first series.

The Cowboys defense under coach Dan Quinn has led the league in takeaways the last two seasons ... and here it was Thomas, in coverage of Evan Engram on the second play from scrimmage, making a gymnastic steal.

Like Bell, Thomas wasn't drafted in 2022. The Georgia Tech product spent the entire 18-week season on the practice squad after having a big preseason moment against Seattle in the finale with a tipped ball interception in the final minute.

Bell had a good showing in the preseason last year, even recording an interception in a game against the Seahawks that may have helped him make the final roster. 

Dallas is locked in at the top of the depth chart here, with Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse. But Bell and Thomas are off to good starts again this preseason, and if they can keep it up, perhaps they could receive real roles in the regular season.

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You can find Jonathan Alfano on Twitter @JonAlfano_News

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