Dallas Cowboys - A to Z Sports

Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. ***** HOW TO ENTER: 1. Visit and make sure A to Z Sports is checked 2. 2. Comment GO COWBOYS below! If selected, you must be able to verify that A to Z Sports was selected as a preferred source. ***** A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: ***** The Dallas Cowboys are finally entering the 2026 NFL season, and Mauricio Rodriguez believes this team has a legitimate chance to contend for the NFC East and potentially make a deep playoff run. That might sound overly optimistic after everything that happened with Dallas last season, but Mauricio has three specific reasons why he believes the Cowboys are genuinely better this year. The first is the defense. Dallas' defense is not simply going to improve because it was one of the worst units in the NFL last season. Mauricio believes this is a fundamentally different group. The Cowboys have a new coaching staff, significant personnel turnover and what should be a dramatically different secondary. Dallas entered last season with major problems at cornerback, but Mauricio believes the team now has legitimate starting-caliber players at the position. The linebacker room has also undergone a major transformation, with Dee Winters, a healthy DeMarvion Overshown and rookie Jaishawn Barham giving Dallas a much different group than the one that opened the 2025 season. Mauricio isn't predicting that the Cowboys suddenly become a top-10 defense. But he believes a top-20 defense with top-15 upside is a realistic outcome and that would be a massive improvement. The second reason is the offense. Dallas already had one of the NFL's better offenses, and Mauricio believes the addition of George Pickens could make it even more dangerous. After an impressive training camp, Mauricio believes Pickens has a legitimate chance to lead the Cowboys in receiving yards again. That's not a knock on CeeDee Lamb. It's a reflection of how much Mauricio believes Pickens can bring to this offense. The third reason is coaching continuity. Mauricio believes the Cowboys should be better on special teams after changing the players they rely on in those units, while Brian Schottenheimer should benefit from having already gone through his first season as a head coach. With Klayton Adams helping with offensive installations, Schottenheimer should have more time to focus on game planning and creativity. But how many wins does Dallas actually need? Mauricio believes the Cowboys need 11 wins to make the playoffs and have a legitimate shot at winning the NFC East. He breaks down exactly how Dallas can get there, including sweeping the Giants and Commanders, splitting with Philadelphia, beating Arizona, Tennessee, Tampa Bay and Indianapolis, and stealing at least two wins from tougher opponents. The Cowboys have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL, while the Eagles have one of the easier schedules. That makes Dallas' margin for error smaller. Still, Mauricio believes the Cowboys can win 11 games in 2026 and he believes Dallas has a legitimate chance to win the NFC East. Are the Cowboys actually contenders? Mauricio Rodriguez makes the case. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, predictions, roster updates and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysNation #NFL #CowboysNews 0:00 Why the Cowboys are legitimate contenders 0:47 Reason No. 1: The defense is DIFFERENT 1:40 How Dallas rebuilt the defense 2:05 The Cowboys finally have starting CBs 2:58 Reason No. 2: The offense remains very good 3:21 Why George Pickens could lead the Cowboys in receiving 3:47 Reason No. 3: Coaching continuity 4:10 Why special teams should improve 4:50 Brian Schottenheimer has more time to create 5:40 How many wins do the Cowboys need? 6:40 Why Dallas needs 11 wins 7:10 The Cowboys' biggest schedule advantage 7:40 The games Dallas MUST win 8:50 The tough games Dallas needs to steal 9:35 Can Dallas actually win 11 games? 10:26 Why the Cowboys can win the NFC East Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ***** For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. HOW TO ENTER: 1. Visit and make sure A to Z Sports is checked 2. 2. Comment GO COWBOYS below! If selected, you must be able to verify that A to Z Sports was selected as a preferred source. ***** A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: ***** Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ***** The Dallas Cowboys may have found a much bigger offensive weapon than anyone expected when they claimed Emari Demercado off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs. Mauricio Rodriguez initially assumed Demercado was simply going to provide depth behind Javonte Williams and Malik Davis. After digging into Demercado's background, however, Mauricio came away with a very different conclusion. The Cowboys may have found their next third-down back. Demercado has an important connection to Dallas offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, who coached him during his time with the Arizona Cardinals. Mauricio sees similarities between the concepts Arizona used with Adams and what Dallas is now doing in the run game, including pulling linemen, G concepts and short traps designed to create explosive plays. And explosive plays are exactly what Demercado has shown he can provide. Mauricio dug into Sports Info Solutions data and found that, among running backs with a similar workload, Demercado produced an elite explosive-play rate. His 2024 season also produced 9.3 yards per carry, while he averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 2025. The numbers come with an important caveat because Demercado has never received a large workload, but that's also what makes the opportunity in Dallas so intriguing. Javonte Williams gives the Cowboys a dependable runner who can consistently keep the offense on schedule. What Dallas hasn't gotten consistently is the home-run element. Mauricio believes Demercado can provide that. But there's another part of Demercado's game that could be even more important. Pass protection. Andy Reid specifically praised Demercado's pass protection during training camp, and Brian Schottenheimer also highlighted that part of his game earlier this week. Mauricio believes that ability could be the key to Demercado earning a legitimate role on third downs. That's especially notable after Dallas moved on from Jaydon Blue. Mauricio believes one of the reasons Blue struggled to establish himself in Dallas may have been the small details of pass protection reading the protection scheme, understanding who the offensive line is responsible for and knowing which defender he needs to account for. That's an inference, not reporting, but it could help explain why Demercado's skill set is so appealing. Dallas officially claimed Demercado after waiving Blue and Phil Mafah, and the Cowboys now have another experienced option behind Williams and Davis. Mauricio believes Demercado could be much more than a depth running back. He could become the Cowboys' third-down back, a home-run threat and an important piece of the 2026 offense. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, roster updates and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #EmariDemercado #CowboysNation #NFL 0:00 Cowboys may have found a bigger RB weapon 0:28 Why Emari Demercado isn't just depth 1:18 Demercado's connection to Klayton Adams 2:26 The explosive-play numbers are WILD 4:12 Why the Cowboys needed more explosiveness 5:39 Demercado's overlooked skill: pass protection 6:48 Why pass protection may have hurt Jaydon Blue 7:24 Is Demercado the Cowboys' third-down back? 8:06 Why Demercado could have a BIG role For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

HOW TO ENTER: 1. Visit and make sure A to Z Sports is checked 2. Comment GO COWBOYS below! If selected, you must be able to verify that A to Z Sports was selected as a preferred source. ***** The Dallas Cowboys made one of the most controversial moves of the offseason by acquiring former first-round offensive tackle Broderick Jones. And Mauricio Rodriguez believes many Cowboys fans are misunderstanding what this trade actually means. Dallas sent a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick to Pittsburgh for Jones while receiving a fourth-round pick in return. On the surface, that sounds like a significant investment for a player who struggled throughout parts of the preseason and recently underwent neck surgery. But Mauricio explains why the Cowboys' decision is not as simple as "Dallas traded a third-round pick for a struggling tackle." The first part of the equation is compensation. Yes, giving up a third-round pick is significant. The Cowboys previously spent a third-round pick to acquire George Pickens, a player who immediately projected as a major offensive upgrade and clear contributor. But this trade is different. Dallas also received a fourth-round pick in return, meaning the net value of the move is much closer to a fourth-round investment. Mauricio breaks down why the compensation is not as extreme as many fans believe especially considering the Cowboys' need at offensive tackle. The second major misunderstanding involves why Dallas acquired Jones. Many fans immediately connected this move to previous Cowboys trades for former first-round picks like Kaiir Elam and Kenneth Murray. But Mauricio explains why this situation is different. Dallas is not bringing Broderick Jones in because they need him to immediately become a starter. Instead, this is a development bet. The Cowboys believe Jones has the athletic ability, size and tools to become a valuable offensive tackle with time, especially with the development infrastructure Dallas has built around the offensive line. The biggest question is whether Jones will actually compete with Terrence Steele for the starting right tackle job. Mauricio is selling that idea. While Brian Schottenheimer said Jones will compete with Steele, Mauricio believes that is more of a motivational message than a legitimate Week 1 battle. The Cowboys' real issue is depth. Tyler Guyton has a clear path as the left tackle, but Dallas did not have a reliable backup option behind Steele after Nate Thomas struggled and Drew Shelton was not ready for NFL action. Broderick Jones gives Dallas a player with immediate backup value and long-term upside. The Cowboys may have overpaid slightly. But Mauricio explains why the trade is much more logical when viewed as a developmental investment rather than a desperate attempt to replace Terrence Steele. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Cowboys news, roster updates, player evaluations and analysis throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Why the Broderick Jones trade is misunderstood 0:43 The Cowboys gave up a 3rd round pick... was it too much? 2:01 Breaking down the trade compensation 3:06 Why the value isn't as bad as fans think 4:36 Why this isn't another former first-round reclamation project 5:51 The real reason Dallas traded for Jones 6:40 Is Broderick Jones actually competing with Terrence Steele? 8:20 The Cowboys' real offensive tackle problem 10:07 Why this trade makes more sense long term #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #BroderickJones #CowboysNation #NFL A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys just made one of their most surprising roster decisions of 2026. Joe Milton has been waived. And Mauricio Rodriguez is breaking down why Dallas moved on from a quarterback who looked like he might actually be winning the backup competition throughout the preseason. Through two preseason games, Joe Milton appeared to have the momentum. His arm talent was obvious. The big-play ability that made him such an intriguing prospect was showing up, and many Cowboys fans believed he had completely changed the narrative after struggling during the 2025 season. But then the preseason finale happened. Sam Howell delivered one of the best performances of the entire preseason, completing 11 of 13 passes and posting a quarterback rating above 130. Meanwhile, Milton struggled in ways that reminded the Cowboys of the concerns that followed him from last season. Mauricio explains why that final game may have changed everything. The biggest piece of evidence is actually what happened before the preseason even began. Dallas started Sam Howell in the preseason opener against Seattle, which suggested the coaching staff viewed Howell as being ahead of Milton entering the competition. Brian Schottenheimer later confirmed that Howell was slightly ahead as the Cowboys entered the preseason. That means Milton wasn't necessarily losing a competition he had won. Instead, Dallas may have been waiting to see if Milton could overcome an early evaluation that already favored Howell. Mauricio also breaks down another possibility: Dallas may have attempted to trade Joe Milton before ultimately waiving him. That is speculation, not confirmed reporting, but the logic makes sense. A quarterback with Milton's arm talent and preseason flashes could potentially interest another team, and Dallas may have tried to get something in return before deciding to move on. Now the question becomes what happens next. Will Joe Milton clear waivers and return to the Cowboys practice squad? Or will another NFL team decide his upside is worth taking a chance on? Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down why the Cowboys moved on from Joe Milton, why Sam Howell appears to have won the backup quarterback job and what this means for Dallas heading into the 2026 NFL season. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Cowboys news, roster updates, quarterback analysis and reaction throughout the season. 0:00 Cowboys make shocking QB decision 0:27 Why Joe Milton was waived 1:44 The Sam Howell evidence 2:30 What happened behind the scenes? 3:12 Joe Milton's preseason changed the conversation 4:23 Why Dallas may have lost faith 5:14 Did Cowboys try to trade Milton? 6:07 What happens next for Joe Milton? #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #JoeMilton #SamHowell #CowboysNation #NFL A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys have finalized their initial 53-man roster, and Mauricio Rodriguez wasn't expecting several of the decisions Dallas ultimately made. Some of the Cowboys' roster decisions were surprising. Others were decisions Mauricio absolutely loved. The biggest surprise may have been running back Jaden Blue being waived. Blue entered the preseason as one of the more intriguing young players competing for a roster spot, but Dallas ultimately kept only Javonte Williams and Malik Davis as true running backs, with Hunter Luepke expected to continue serving primarily as a fullback. Mauricio believes Blue's release could be connected to the concerns that kept him largely inactive during the 2025 season. The Cowboys also surprised Mauricio by keeping only five cornerbacks and leaving fourth-round rookie Devin Moore off the initial 53-man roster. Kalyn Carson and Ameer Speed made the team instead, although Mauricio believes Dallas could still look to upgrade the position through the waiver wire or free agency. Then there's Elijah Clarke. After Marquese Bell's emergence appeared to eliminate the possibility of Dallas carrying six safeties, the Cowboys did exactly that with Clarke getting the final spot over Julius Wood. Clarke was actually Mauricio's preseason dark-horse candidate to make the roster before the preseason began, and his high-effort special-teams ability may have ultimately earned him the job. But the decisions Mauricio really loved begin with the Cowboys carrying only three running backs. Dallas had an opportunity to keep more players at running back, but instead chose to prioritize what the organization considered its best 53 players. Mauricio believes that decision says a lot about how Will McClay and the Cowboys approached roster construction. The biggest fan-favorite decision may have been keeping undrafted rookie wide receiver Camden Brown. There was growing belief that Brown would clear waivers and return to the Cowboys' practice squad. Dallas didn't take that chance. Instead, the Cowboys kept Brown on the initial 53-man roster after he dominated throughout the preseason. Mauricio believes that decision is another example of Dallas choosing talent over conventional roster math. The Cowboys also chose Tyrus Wheat over Sam Williams for the final outside linebacker spot. Williams had a major opportunity in the preseason finale but failed to capitalize, while Wheat quietly continued improving throughout the preseason and offers additional versatility in coverage. Which Cowboys roster decisions surprised you the most? Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down the biggest surprises, the decisions he loved and what Dallas' initial 53-man roster tells us about the team's approach heading into the 2026 NFL season. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, roster analysis, roster cuts, player evaluations and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Cowboys made some surprising roster decisions 0:29 Jaden Blue surprisingly gets waived 1:32 What Jaden Blue's release might mean 2:30 Cowboys keep only five cornerbacks 3:20 Could Dallas upgrade CB through waivers? 4:22 Elijah Clarke makes the roster 5:01 Why Mauricio liked Clarke before camp 5:53 Cowboys carry only three running backs 6:29 Dallas prioritized the best 53 players 7:51 Camden Brown MAKES the Cowboys roster 9:06 Tyrus Wheat beats out Sam Williams 10:12 What the Cowboys roster tells us #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysNation #CowboysNews #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys are less than 48 hours away from final roster cuts, but several major questions remain unanswered before the team has to finalize its 53-man roster. Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down the biggest Cowboys roster mysteries heading into the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints including defensive tackle uncertainty, the final linebacker and edge spots, the wide receiver battle, the cornerback room and the impact of injuries. One of the biggest questions is what happens with veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard. Bullard entered training camp viewed by many as a safe bet to make the roster because of his experience, but he has not practiced since suffering an injury on August 4 and has missed both preseason games. With roster cuts approaching, Mauricio wonders if Dallas could make a surprising decision and move on from the veteran defensive lineman. That could open the door for another defensive tackle who has shown flashes as a true nose tackle. The Cowboys also have a fascinating decision at outside linebacker. Dallas appears to have four players locked into roster spots, but the final position battle between Sam Williams and Marist Liufau remains unresolved. Liufau has the advantage because of his special-teams value, but Mauricio questions how much defensive impact he has shown during the preseason. The cornerback position has another major question. With DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel Jr. expected to handle major roles, Dallas still needs to determine who the next cornerback is. Will it come from the current roster, or could the Cowboys once again use the waiver wire to find help after cuts? Mauricio also discusses whether Camden Brown has secured his roster spot, whether Dallas can realistically carry six wide receivers if they keep three quarterbacks, and what Michael Trigg's injury situation could mean at tight end. The Cowboys have built one of the deeper rosters in recent memory, but depth creates difficult decisions. Which players make the final 53? Which surprising names could be left out? Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down every remaining Cowboys roster mystery before Dallas has to make its final decisions. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Cowboys news, roster projections, training camp updates and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysNation #NFL #CowboysNews 0:00 Cowboys final roster mysteries before cuts 0:22 Jonathan Bullard's uncertain roster status 1:41 Defensive tackle battle comes down to health 3:00 Who gets the final outside linebacker spot? 4:36 The Cowboys fifth cornerback mystery 6:22 Is Camden Brown actually safe? 7:31 Can Dallas carry three quarterbacks? 7:59 Michael Trigg injury situation 8:51 Cowboys final roster questions before Saints Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys may have just revealed one of their most surprising 53-man roster decisions and Mauricio Rodriguez is changing his prediction because of it. Last week, Mauricio called safety Julius Wood a Cowboys roster lock hiding in plain sight. Now he's eating crow. Brian Schottenheimer's latest comments about Markquese Bell and the importance of special teams have provided a major clue about how Dallas plans to construct the bottom of its roster. Schottenheimer identified Bell as one of the Cowboys' most trusted special-teams leaders, and Mauricio believes that essentially puts Bell in position to inherit the type of role C.J. Goodwin held in Dallas for years. Bell may not have a significant role on Christian Parker's defense, but that doesn't mean he won't have significant value on Sundays. The Cowboys want to improve on special teams, and Bell has already established himself as a trusted player in that phase of the game. If Dallas is willing to dedicate a roster spot to a special-teams specialist, Bell suddenly looks extremely difficult to leave off the 53. That creates bad news for Julius Wood. Dallas already has Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker and P.J. Locke in the safety room. If Bell becomes safety No. 5 because of his special-teams role, Mauricio doesn't believe the Cowboys can realistically carry a sixth safety just to keep Wood. But Wood might not be the only player affected. Marist Liufau was one of Dallas' most heavily used special-teams players last season. Mauricio explains why Bell potentially taking over the C.J. Goodwin-type specialist role could make it harder for Dallas to justify another game-day roster spot for a player whose biggest value also comes on special teams. That puts more pressure on Liufau to prove he can provide meaningful defensive snaps. With Donovan Ezeiruaku, Rashan Gary, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, Sam Williams and James Houston all factoring into the Cowboys' edge and pass-rush plans, Mauricio questions whether Liufau has a clear enough defensive role to survive the final roster cut. One comment from Brian Schottenheimer might therefore have revealed much more than Dallas intended. Marquese Bell looks increasingly safe. Julius Wood suddenly looks like the odd man out. And Marist Liufau might have an even tougher road to the 53-man roster than Cowboys fans realized. Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down what Schottenheimer said, why he's changing his Julius Wood prediction and what Bell's special-teams role could mean for Dallas' final roster decisions. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, roster cuts, analysis and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 I was wrong about this Cowboys roster lock 0:24 Markquese Bell changes the equation 0:49 What Brian Schottenheimer revealed 1:31 Why Dallas won't carry six safeties 2:07 Breaking down the Cowboys safety room 2:56 Bell's special teams role 3:23 Why Julius Wood is suddenly in trouble 3:47 Another Cowboys player could lose out 4:20 Bell vs. Marist Liufau on special teams 5:20 Why Liufau's roster path is difficult 6:07 What Liufau has shown this preseason 6:56 Cowboys pass rush depth creates another problem 7:18 Mauricio eats crow on Julius Wood #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysNation #CowboysNews #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys may have found their starting middle linebacker after rookie Jaishawn Barham delivered an impressive preseason debut against the Arizona Cardinals. Mauricio Rodriguez came away from the Cowboys' 34-13 preseason win believing the third-round rookie isn't simply ready to contribute in 2026 Dallas should seriously consider starting Barham in Christian Parker's defense. Barham had already been one of the Cowboys' most intriguing rookies throughout training camp in Oxnard before a minor groin injury kept him out of the preseason opener against Seattle. Against Arizona, Cowboys fans finally got their first extended look at what all the training camp hype was about. And Barham delivered. The former Michigan linebacker finished with five tackles in limited action, including an early tackle for loss that immediately showed off the physicality, explosiveness and instincts Dallas saw when evaluating him before the 2026 NFL Draft. But Mauricio believes the most encouraging part of Barham's performance wasn't necessarily his work against the run. It was his coverage. One of the biggest questions surrounding Barham entering the NFL was how comfortable he would look dropping into coverage after spending significant time playing closer to the line of scrimmage at Michigan. Against Arizona, Mauricio saw encouraging eye discipline, awareness and comfort playing in space. That leads to a much bigger Cowboys question. Should Jaishawn Barham start at middle linebacker? Dallas already has DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters in its linebacker room, but Mauricio explains why Barham's skill set might actually make the entire group fit together better. Using Barham as a true Mike linebacker could potentially allow Overshown to spend more time at Will, where his athletic ability could become even more dangerous. There will be rookie mistakes. Barham's aggressiveness could eventually be exploited by NFL offenses through motion, play action and misdirection, and one preseason performance shouldn't be confused with proof that he's already an established NFL starter. But everything Dallas saw during training camp was followed by an extremely encouraging first game. Barham isn't looking like a player the Cowboys should evaluate simply through the lens of being a third-round rookie anymore. He's looking like someone Christian Parker may need to get onto the field immediately. Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down Barham's preseason debut, what stood out on film, where he still needs to improve and why the Cowboys might have unexpectedly found their starting middle linebacker before Week 1. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, roster battles and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Cowboys may have another special rookie 0:31 Jaishawn Barham lived up to the camp hype 1:28 Barham dominates against the run 2:16 The most impressive part of his debut 2:51 Barham answers his biggest coverage question 3:44 Should Jaishawn Barham START? 4:11 The concern Dallas still has to consider 4:39 How Barham could change the linebacker room 5:54 Barham vs. DeMarvion Overshown 6:16 Did the Cowboys find something special? #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #JaishawnBarham #CowboysNation #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys may have a roster lock hiding in plain sight as the 2026 preseason moves closer to final roster cuts. Mauricio Rodriguez believes Cowboys safety Julius Wood has done enough throughout training camp and the preseason to earn a spot on Dallas' 53-man roster even though one of the deepest position groups on the team makes him look like a traditional bubble player. Wood keeps making plays. He's flashed defensively throughout Cowboys training camp and carried that production into the preseason, including an impressive goal-line stop against the Seattle Seahawks. But Wood's path onto the Cowboys roster isn't only about what he can provide on defense. His special-teams ability could be the key. Dallas already has a crowded safety room featuring Caleb Downs, Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke. That makes it difficult to view Wood as one of the Cowboys' top four safeties, but Mauricio explains why that's the wrong way to evaluate his roster battle. Wood doesn't necessarily need to beat one of those four players. Instead, he needs to convince the Cowboys that carrying five safeties provides more value than using one of their final roster spots at cornerback, running back, tight end, linebacker or another position. There's also another factor working in Wood's favor: Dallas already has evidence that another NFL team could claim him if he's exposed to waivers. That makes trying to get Wood back onto the Cowboys practice squad a legitimate risk. Mauricio explains why the combination of defensive production, special-teams ability and waiver risk has Wood looking much more like a roster lock than a bubble player. But Julius Wood isn't the only Cowboys player exceeding expectations. Brian Schottenheimer was recently asked about the players who surpassed his expectations during training camp in Oxnard, and the Cowboys head coach identified 10. Among the biggest names were Caleb Downs, Shavon Revel Jr. and Tyler Guyton. Guyton's development could be especially important for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense after Dallas struggled with pass protection last season. Meanwhile, Revel's development could give defensive coordinator Christian Parker additional flexibility in man coverage. Mauricio also discusses Rashan Gary's leadership, the Cowboys wide receiver competition involving Jonathan Mingo and Camden Brown, Javonte Williams' role in the backfield, Ryan Flournoy's continued development and more. Has Julius Wood already done enough to make the Cowboys roster? And which player exceeded your expectations the most during Cowboys training camp? Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, roster battles, training camp updates and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Cowboys have a roster lock hiding in plain sight 0:51 Why Julius Wood keeps making plays 1:42 The Cowboys' crowded safety room 2:31 Julius Wood's path onto the 53 3:12 Why Dallas can't risk losing Wood 4:37 10 Cowboys who exceeded expectations 5:34 Caleb Downs is already impressing 5:55 Shavon Revel Jr. raises the defensive ceiling 6:27 Tyler Guyton could change the offense 7:20 Seven more Cowboys who impressed 8:04 Cowboys WR roster battle heats up 8:58 Javonte Williams and the RB situation 9:20 Ryan Flournoy's important next step 9:47 Bryan Anger's monster punts #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysNation #CowboysNews #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys' decision to sign Von Miller is looking even better after the details of his contract and his first comments with the team became public. Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down why he's becoming increasingly bullish on the Cowboys adding the future Hall of Fame pass rusher and why Dallas doesn't need the 37-year-old Miller to become the superstar he once was for this signing to pay off. Miller agreed to a one-year contract with the Cowboys worth $5.5 million with another $2 million available through incentives. But the structure of the contract is where things get particularly interesting for Dallas. The Cowboys included void years that allow them to spread out Miller's signing bonus for salary-cap purposes, while the performance incentives in the deal are tied to individual sack totals and Dallas reaching the postseason. Mauricio explains how those incentives work, why their structure matters for the Cowboys' 2026 salary cap and what it says about how Dallas approached this signing. And the financial side is only part of the appeal. Von Miller made it clear during his introductory Cowboys press conference that he sees his value extending beyond sacks and pressures. The two-time Super Bowl champion and former Super Bowl MVP wants to become a leader and mentor for a Cowboys defense featuring younger pass rushers who are still developing. That could matter for players such as Donovan Ezeiruaku and first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence, while Dallas also has established veterans such as Rashan Gary on a defense being rebuilt under defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Miller is no longer the player who earned seven All-Pro selections during the prime of his career. Dallas doesn't need him to be. The Cowboys need Miller to provide situational pass-rush production, help younger defenders develop and bring championship experience into a locker room trying to return to the postseason in 2026. After recording nine sacks during the 2025 season, there are still reasons to believe Miller can provide value when he's on the field. And considering how Dallas structured the contract, the Cowboys aren't taking on the type of financial risk normally associated with adding a player with Miller's rsum. So did the Cowboys find the perfect low-risk veteran addition for Christian Parker's defense? Mauricio Rodriguez explains why everything we've learned about the Von Miller signing since the news broke has made him like the move even more. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, roster moves, training camp updates and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Why the Von Miller signing keeps looking better 0:33 Cowboys aren't asking Miller to be a star 1:13 Breaking down Von Miller's contract 2:25 The Cowboys got creative with the salary cap 2:56 Why Miller's incentives matter 4:17 Von Miller and Dallas are a perfect match 4:43 What Miller brings beyond sacks 6:27 Cowboys and Miller want the same thing 6:51 The price makes this even better 7:11 Miller's comments that stood out #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #VonMiller #CowboysNation #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok: