5 Dallas Cowboys Rookies With Most to Prove in Week 2 of Preseason

The Dallas Cowboys will be back in action on Saturday night for their second preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, and Cowboys fans might want to put on a pot of coffee for it with the late start time of 9 p.m. CT.

The second preseason game is yet another audition for the team's rookies. All first-year players with the exception of those who were hurt suited up last week, including first-round pick Caleb Downs.

While it remains to be seen if Downs will suit up again or if he'll sit out like the rest of the starters will, we will see the rest of Dallas' rookies in action.

Here's a handful of them that have the most to prove in preseason Week 2.

Malachi Lawrence

Lawrence's opportunity to see significant snaps in the regular season took a big hit after the Cowboys signed Von Miller.

Now, Lawrence is going to be operating behind at least Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Miller, and the rookie could also cede snaps to veterans like Sam Williams and James Houston.

After an uneven performance in preseason Week 1, Lawrence has to put up a better showing or else he could find himself buried on the depth chart to begin the season.

Jaishawn Barham

After sitting out the preseason opener due to injury, Barham is set to make his debut on Saturday night.

Barham has been a standout when on the field at training camp and the belief is he has tightened the gap with veteran Dee Winters, who is currently slated to start next to DeMarvion Overshown.

It's one thing to stand out in practice, but it's another thing to do so in live game action. If Barham wants to continue building his case to be the starter out of the gate, he's got to carry his momentum from practice into exhibition play.

Drew Shelton

None of the Cowboys' top depth options outside of T.J. Bass were good in preseason Week 1, but Shelton might have had the worst peformance after surrendering a trio of pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, which was the most on the team.

Shelton played at right tackle, but he could get a look on the left side after the Cowboys switched things up at practice this week.

The rookie is competing for the swing tackle job against veteran Nate Thomas, but he's got to be better if he wants any hope of landing that role.

Anthony Smith

Smith is on the outside looking in when it comes to his chances of a roster spot. The seventh-round pick hasn't done much to stand out in training camp, and he was blanked in the first half of the preseason Week 1 game when it mattered most before he recorded two catches for 28 yards in the second half.

At this point, Smith is a long shot to make the cut, so he needs to absolutely explode to improve his case. That said, he's still got a chance to make the practice squad, so his showing is important for that cause, also.

Camden Brown

Outside of those who follow Cowboys practice on a daily basis, Brown, who has been a clear standout during the summer, was flying under the radar for many.

That is no longer the case after he made two sensational grabs and recorded three overall for 62 yards and a touchdown in his preseason debut last week.

That obviously helped his cause in terms of making the roster and possibly beating out Jonathan Mingo for the No. 5 wide receiver spot, but it also puts more pressure on him with everyone now knowing who he is.

Will the rookie step up to the plate and deliver once again with more eyes on him? Or will Brown fold under the increased pressure? We'll find out soon enough.

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