Dallas Cowboys: 3 Things to watch for in Preseason Week 1

ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Bo Scarbrough #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

2. The depth at running back

Last preseason, the Dallas Cowboys not only had Ezekiel Elliott on the depth chart at running back, but they had the likes of veterans Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden on their roster as well. They also had Rod Smith, who ended up playing a big role for the Cowboys last season, but this year the faces have changed somewhat, and that brings all kinds of excitement.

Following Elliott and Smith on the depth chart are rookie running backs Bo Scarbrough and Jordan Chunn, 2016 sixth round selection Darius Jackson and Trey Williams.

Though the names aren’t as well-known as former Cowboys’ McFadden (who retired during the 2017 season) and Morris, that is what makes seeing which backs battle their way onto the roster this preseason that much more watchable. Seeing players work their way onto the roster is exciting, and for some of the running backs listed above, it will be more of how can they help on special teams and in an emergency role than anything else.

The one player who could be the most fun to watch in making his Cowboys’ preseason debut is  Scarbrough to see if he can bring a power style type of game for the Cowboys in his time on the field, plus how he picks up his blocking assignments when that is called upon. Scarbrough was an exciting player at times to watch at Alabama, and for Chunn, Jackson and Williams, the climb might be a little steeper, but seeing young running backs work their way up the roster can bring a surprise or two. That begins in this first preseason game.