Dallas Cowboys DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Brooks made a big catch in Sunday's preseason game loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Brooks was targeted twice, making both catches for 49 yards. One of his catches was the biggest play of the game for Dallas, a 43-yard completion tossed from quarterback Cooper Rush. Brooks played in seven games last season, making six catches on six targets, mostly playing on special teams. He's coming into the season fourth at best on the wide receiver depth chart, but has some upside possible for patient fantasy managers/

Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis led the Cowboys backfield in carries and yards in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Davis ran the ball eight times, gaining 18 yards, with a long of just four. The rest of the Cowboys backfield combined for just nine carries, so Davis had his chances in this one, but didn't do a ton with them. He was also targeted five times in the passing game, catching two passes for 20 yards. The second-year running back will be third at best on the depth chart, well behind Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, and likely behind Royce Freeman as well.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (ankle) expects to practice when the team returns to the field on Tuesday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. The veteran quarterback clarified that his ankle is "fine" even though soreness held him out of Dallas' preseason opener. Given that Prescott will practice on Tuesday, fantasy managers can let out a sigh of relief knowing that the Dallas quarterback avoided a serious injury. He remains on track to start for Dallas in Week 1, ranking as a low-end QB1 option in most redraft leagues.

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams made the start in Sunday's preseason opener at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday against the hosting Indianapolis Colts and finished with four carries for only 15 yards while catching one of his two targets for a five-yard gain. Despite reports earlier this summer that Williams was potentially battling for a roster spot in 2024, he's the team's clear lead back ahead of Jaleel McLaughlin (seven carries for 30 yards, two catches for 26 yards), Samaje Perine (no catches on one target) and rookie Audric Estime (10 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown, three catches for 13 yards). Based on Sunday's preseason usage, Estime should have the leg up over Perine, whose one target led to an interception for quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Williams underwhelmed in 2023 but was also coming off a season-ending knee injury in 2022. If Denver's offense can take a step forward under either Stidham or rookie Bo Nix, Williams could be a steal as an RB3/flex in fantasy if he's more explosive another year removed from his knee injury.

The Dallas Cowboys consider themselves further long on a new deal with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb than with quarterback Dak Prescott. Multiple sources believe a Lamb extension will get done, possibly soon. The team has been talking to Lamb's agent, Tory Dandy, and Lamb's stance is clear: His numbers and the market speak clearly. The Cowboys know it will have to be $30-plus million annually. Meanwhile, Dallas' conversations with Prescott's agent, Todd France, are ongoing. Although a deal isn't considered close, the Cowboys think they are in a better place than they were this offseason. Owner Jerry Jones made news late this week by saying the team is in no rush to extend Lamb, but the reality is the Cowboys need the 25-year-old pass-catcher on the field sooner than later so that he's in midseason form for the start of the 2024 regular season.