Dallas Cowboys Under the Most Pressure in Preseason Week 2 vs. Cardinals

The Dallas Cowboys will square off with the Arizona Cardinals in their second preseason game on Saturday night and it's yet another opportunity for non-starters to shine.

The Cowboys are not playing their starters in preseason Week 2, as was the case last week. This gives Dallas a better look at the guys who are competing for depth roles and roster spots in general.

Here are some of the Cowboys players who are slated to play and are under the most pressure going into the second preseason game on Saturday.

Jonathan Mingo & Camden Brown

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Camden Brown. — Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Camden Brown (6) carries the ball at training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

We put these two together because they could be vying for just one spot on the wide receiver depth chart and the competition appears to be neck and neck.

Mingo had a solid showing in preseason Week 1 and was listed as a player who has exceeded expectations during training camp by head coach Brian Schottenheimer.

However, Brown, who has been one of the bigger standouts during the summer and was sensational in preseason Week 1 and was better than Mingo, also made Schotty's list.

But Brown is no longer flying under the radar nationally and that puts a lot more pressure on his shoulders for this game. Mingo, meanwhile, is trying to fend off the rookie to make the cut.

Luke Schoonmaker

Schoonmaker's roster spot has been in question throughout the offseason and that was further cemented by the fact that he is viewed as the TE3 right now after he played in last week's preseason game while Brevyn Spann-Ford did not.

Schoonmaker had a quiet showing in preseason Week 1 after he failed to record a catch. Meanwhile, rookie Michael Trigg reeled in four grabs for 30 yards.

Trigg did get hurt during the contest and his status for the second preseason game remains uncertain, but even if he doesn't play, Schoonmaker needs to help his cause with a sign of life.

Offensive line depth

Dallas Cowboys tackle Drew Shelton. — Dallas Cowboys tackle Drew Shelton (67) at training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

One of the most glaring issues from the first preseason game was the lackluster performance from the offensive line depth outside of T.J. Bass.

From left to right, Nate Thomas, Trevor Keegan, Ajani Cornelius and Drew Shelton were the starters at guard and tackle around Bass, who played at center. None of the four were adequate, and Shelton in particular struggled mightily after giving up three pressures.

The Cowboys switched things up at practice this week, moving Shelton to left tackle and Thomas to right tackle, and Bass slid over to right guard in place of Cornelius, who might be in the biggest trouble now that he was booted from the group.

This group must play a lot better this week or we could see the Cowboys make a move that ultimately leads to one of the four moving down the depth chart.

Sam Howell

Howell entered preseason Week 1 in the lead for the QB2 battle, something head coach Brian Schottenheimer basically confirmed when he said Howell had been "a little more consistent" in practice during training camp.

However, Schotty also noted that Milton "was maybe in the best command of our system that he's been in since he's been here" during the game against the Seahawks, when he shined and performed better than Howell.

Schottenheimer didn't name a starter for the game against the Cardinals ahead of gameday, which is a departure from last week, when Schottenheimer made the announcement during the week.

If Milton gets the nod over Howell, that will be a strong indication he is very much still in the running and could upset Howell in the competition. And, with another standout performance, Milton could take the lead entirely.

Whether he starts or not, Howell needs to be the better of the two on Saturday if he wants to fend off Milton for the backup job behind Dak Prescott.

Malachi Lawrence

The typical expectation for a first-round pick is that they will play a significant amount in Year 1. However, that is far from guaranteed for Lawrence, especially after the signing of Von Miller.

Lawrence was already slated to be the No. 3 edge rusher on the depth chart, at best, and that was if he could show more than veterans Sam Williams and James Houston.

Now, Lawrence might not be any higher than the No. 4 after the addition of Miller, who is likely to play around 40% of snaps like Miller did with the Washington Commanders last season.

Lawrence's preseason debut was OK, as he did tally a pressure, but he also showed the warts in his game, like his issue with false steps, and it's clear he's still got a ways to go in his development.

If Lawrence fails to show improvement in preseason Week 2 and Williams and/or Houston shine, the rookie could find himself even further down the depth chart.

Jaydon Blue

Blue's 2026 preseason debut left a lot to be desired outside of a 13-yard reception on a screen pass. Not all of that was his fault, as the blocking upfront was not good, but he certainly didn't help his cause by averaging just a shade over two yards per carry.

Meanwhile, Malik Davis shined, ripping off 39 yards on seven carries in what was the best showing among Dallas' backs.

Davis also received a ton of praise from both head coach Brian Schottenheimer and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams over the course of the week.

“Malik is awesome,” Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said. “He’s got great run instincts, he never pouts about reps. He just goes in when it’s his turn and does it good.”

Blue has appeared to be getting the majority of the reps behind Javonte Williams throughout the offseason and it certainly seemed like he was in the driver's seat for the RB2 role.

Now, Davis has a head of steam and Blue needs to fend him off with a strong showing on Saturday night.

Add us as a preferred source on Google