Cowboys vs Rams preseason: 1 defensive player to watch at each position for Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys will play their first preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. This will be the first live football action fans have seen since that dark day in January against the Green Bay Packers. But this is a new team with a new cast of characters and fans are excited to get their first look at this year’s squad. Many players will have our attention. Previously, we identified one player to keep an eye on at each offensive position, and now we will do it for the defense.
DE – Marshawn Kneeland #94
With the injury to Sam Williams, the Cowboys’ second-round draft pick, Marshawn Kneeland, becomes the team’s top edge rushing reserve behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. With high draft stock comes big expectations, but he’s a big guy, so he can handle it. Kneeland has brought a lot of energy with his reps and it will be fun to see him unleash it on someone else. He’s strong and feisty, so try to control your excitement when you see #94 living in the Rams backfield.
NT – Mazi Smith #58
Just as this year’s first-round draft pick (Tyler Guyton) is the player we’re most interested in seeing on offense, last year’s first-rounder grabs our attention on defense. It’s important to see an improvement in Mazi Smith, and while we’ve heard some good things, seeing it on the football field is what matters. Smith hasn’t been wowing in his one-on-one drills, but that’s not how he should be evaluated. Get him in action where he’s absorbing blocks and then we can decide just how well he’s doing.
3T – Viliami Fehoko #93
From one underwhelming defensive lineman to the next. The Cowboys used a fourth-round draft pick on Junior Fehoko so obviously there are things they like, but the defense is under a new regime now. Where he fits in is a big mystery. Fehoko was already a tweener entering the league as he’s a little too big for the edge, but not big enough for the interior. He was injured last year and never saw the field, but
LB – DeMarvion Overshown #13 and Marist Liufau #35
Considering these young linebackers have yet to play a regular-season NFL game, it makes sense that there is interest in both of them. DeMarvion Overshown missed all of last year after injuring his knee in the preseason and Marist Liufau is a rookie. Both these guys were selected in the third round and both have made splashes in camp. Overshown has great speed and Liufau has been bringing a lot of pop, so seeing these two roam around should be a lot of fun. This one’s a real Sophie’s choice, so we’re taking both!
CB – Eric Scott Jr. #37
There are a lot of corners to watch in this one from rookie Caelen Carson to former USFL player Josh Butler. There are some promising pieces for sure. But one piece that presents the biggest question mark is that of second-year corner Eric Scott. The team has earned our trust, but as we’ve seen with recently traded Nahshon Wright, not all of them are winners. Will Scott Jr. follow the path of DaRon Bland or will he be another corner prospect that didn’t work? His camp has been mixed so we’re all curious to see how he does in a game.
SS – Markquese Bell #14
The second starting safety job opposite Malik Hooker is up for grabs. Donovan Wilson is the most experienced, but fans are really excited about the developing skills of Juanyeh Thomas. While those two are the most popular, it could be the dark horse Markquese Bell who sneaks in and steals the job. Bell has already proven he has the speed and physicality to play the position, but will his reads be up to par with what new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer expects?
Who will you be watching?