Dallas Cowboys DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Dallas Cowboys are still negotiating with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, but a deal remains elusive. Despite over a year of discussions, the Cowboys' best contract offer has yet to reach Lamb's desired figure of nearly $35 million annually, in line with the Vikings' Justin Jefferson, the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback. Lamb is not seeking to surpass Jefferson's salary, as acknowledged by Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones. Last season, Lamb played on a base salary of $2.52 million and will earn $17.991 million this year under the fifth-year option. He had a standout year in 2023, leading the league with 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns and earning his first All-Pro selection.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (ankle) was scheduled to take part in Tuesday's mock game. "If we were in pads today, he would practice," head coach Mike McCarthy said. Prescott will then return to a joint practice on Wednesday with the Los Angeles Rams. The 31-year-old has had some residual ankle soreness crop up this summer, and although the Cowboys held him out of the preseason opener on Sunday, he's in no danger of missing the start of the 2024 regular season. Depending on how his ankle responds in his return to practice, Prescott could suit up and play a few series in the second preseason game this Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Prescott had the finest season of his career in 2023, but his lack of rushing production keeps him out of the elite tier of QB1s.

Dallas Cowboys former first-round quarterback Trey Lance has displayed a mixed bag in training camp and so far in the preseason, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that he's currently in the QB3 developmental phase in Dallas. The Cowboys feel good about Cooper Rush as a QB2, and if they needed to try to win a game without Dak Prescott right now, Rush would be in there, not Lance. The 24-year-old went 25-for-41 for 188 yards in the preseason opener on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, adding 44 rushing yards on six carries. Rush made the start and played just one offensive series. Lance still has plenty of rushing ability and a strong arm, but there still accuracy issues. He's going to need to put forth some better performances in the preseason to make the Cowboys consider moving him up to QB2.

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey picked up where he left off last season in the first Cowboys preseason game, kicking four field goals in five tries. Aubrey's made kicks came from 30, 36, 38, and 52 yards out, while his miss was from 65. Aubrey was the top scoring kicker in most fantasy formats last season, and even in fantasy football's most volatile position, there's no reason to think he won't be at least top-five again this year.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Cropper led the team in targets in a preseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Cropper saw six balls thrown his way, making four catches for 26 yards including a long of 12. The undrafted free agent spent last season on the Cowboys practice squad and would likely need several injuries ahead of him to have relevance in 2024, but it's worth keeping an eye on his usage going forward in preseason play.