Cowboys Players With Most to Prove in Preseason Week 1

For some Dallas Cowboys, Saturday's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos is going to be a chance to sit back and relax. For others, it's a serious chance to prove themselves.

The NFL preseason is an interesting concept. For established veterans, the primary goal is to just get out of it healthy so they can perform when the games count. For those on the fringe of the roster or trying to scale the depth chart, it's a chance to shine against real competition.

After an offseason that featured plenty of roster turnover, there are plenty of players who fall into that second category.

Based on where they are in the depth chart or trying to make the roster, these players have the most to prove when they face the Broncos at the weekend.

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys have enjoyed one of the deepest receiver groups in the league since they drafted CeeDee Lamb.

However, with Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson Jr. gone, and Michael Gallup still recovering from the torn ACL that ended his 2021 season, that's no longer the case.

Lamb is the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver now and the group behind him will be a relative question mark until Gallup returns.

James Washington suffered a fractured right foot in camp. It's the kind of injury that you would think would lead to the Cowboys signing a veteran receiver. But owner Jerry Jones has said that might not necessarily be the case.

"Let's give these young guys the incentive, our young receivers," he told reporters. "We thought highly of them when we came out. We'll get [Washington] rehabbed ... But it doesn't create an urgency for us to add a veteran receiver."

One of those young receivers who seems to be making the team owner comfortable waiting is Noah Brown.

The 26-year-old has drawn rave reviews from camp. Nick Eatman and Patrik Walker of the team's website noted he is, "having as impressive a training camp as anyone on the roster."

Brown has been with the Cowboys for four seasons, setting a career high in targets (25) and catches (16) last year.

It's safe to say if the Ohio State product looks good in the preseason and continues his strong camp, he'll set new career highs in 2022.

Time is running out for Trysten Hill to make an impact with the Dallas Cowboys.

The 2019 second-round pick has been given plenty of chances to make his mark at defensive tackle, but he hasn't worked out thus far.

Last season, Hill at least earned a starting role but only played in five games due to injuries and a suspension for punching John Simpson after the Thanksgiving game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The UCF product was nothing special in those games as a starter before the injury. He posted a PFF grade of 65.3 and notched just 11 tackles and a half-sack.

The Cowboys have options outside of Hill that have him on the roster bubble in camp now. 2021 sixth-round pick Quinton Bohanna and 2022 fifth-round pick John Ridgeway have the size and strength to play the 1-technique, while Osa Odighizuwa is the most promising of the interior defenders and can play 3-technique.

Defensive ends Sam Williams, Dorance Armstrong and Chauncey Golston all have the versatility to kick inside on passing downs.

That leaves Hill with an uphill battle to make the roster. He'll need to shine in preseason to keep his competition at bay.

Dak Prescott missed 11 games in 2020 and an additional one in 2021, so few teams know how important the backup quarterback can be than the Dallas Cowboys.

Last season, Cooper Rush served in the role and did exactly what he is supposed to do. With Prescott out of the lineup in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, he led the team to victory, connecting on 24-of-40 pass attempts for 325 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

However, the 28-year-old is reportedly being pushed by Will Grier for that role, per Mike Fisher of Sports Illustrated.

Head coach Mike McCarthy has been impressed by Grier, 27, throughout camp and acknowledged he's making a good case for a role on the team.

"I think Will has taken a big step," he said. "I really like the camp he’s had. He’s definitely made a move this week."

With both quarterbacks making a case to be the backup signal-caller, the preseason games could be the tiebreaker. That puts added pressure on Grier to show out against the Broncos and prove he's ready to take the job from Rush.