The Dallas Cowboys are looking to close out their preseason schedule with some improved play on Friday night when they host the Atlanta Falcons. Dallas hasn’t inspired much confidence through two exhibitions,, but the team also hasn’t played many of their best players.
Not much is expected to change in the final preseason contest, with the coaching staff looking to evaluate players as they trim down to the initial 53-man roster. Most roster spots are spoken for, but several jobs are on the line against the Falcons.
None of these players are guaranteed a spot, but they are all closing in on making the team. With a good showing against the Falcons, these five players could solidify their cases to make the roster.
Just as he did in the first two preseason games, Childress has another opportunity to impress. The undrafted free agent backed up his solid training camp with good efforts in the first two exhibition games.
Childress has lined up at numerous places in Matt Eberflus’ defense because he’s shown the versatility to be a physical tackler, has been good in coverage and is an effective blitzer. The more Childress can do at a high level, the better his chances are at earning is way onto the 53.
The Cowboys signed Houston just before training camp opened, and he has been one of their best defensive ends since joining the team. A case can be made that Houston has looked like the best pure pass rusher for the team this summer with All-Pro Micah Parsons not practicing.
Houston has shown the ability that got him eight sacks as a rookie with the Detroit Lions in 2022, a total only Parsons and veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler have achieved. It has been a rough few seasons since, but Houston has looked the part with the Cowboys.
He might not have the high upside that some of the young DEs have, which makes his battle for a roster spot even harder, but Houston has shown to be a better player than some of the talented youth the Cowboys will keep. Houston has one more game to state his case that he belongs on the roster.
Despite modest numbers in the running game for the offense, Mafah remains a strong option to win a spot on the 53. His physicality as a runner and toughness as a blocker has seen him rise as one of the favorites for Cowboys fans.
The seventh-round selection has just 12 carries and 14 total touches in the first two preseason games, but the buzz has been building for Mafah as training camp has gone on. The only obstacles in Mafah’s way to making the roster is veteran Miles Sanders, who hasn’t done much this summer, and Deuce Vaughn, who’s been underwhelming in his third year.
Expect Mafah to get more touches in in Week 3, and he’ll need to make the most of those opportunities to show he belongs. The rookie is in a battle for a roster spot, and he can cement his place with a good outing against the Falcons.
While much has been made over the play of second-year left tackle Nathan Thomas as he’s taken over for starting LT Tyler Guyton, the rookie Cornelius has been working his way into the mix at right tackle. Cornelius looks like he’s getting better every week and his pass protection in the second preseason game was among the best for any rookie, refusing to give up a pressure for the second game in a row.
Cornelius is battling against veterans Hakeem Adeniji and Asim Richards for a possible spot on the roster, and he should get significant playing time against the Falcons to show he belongs. The sixth-round pick is working his way towards earning his place on the roster for a team that is deep on the offensive line.
There has been significant buzz surrounding Holden over the last few weeks, something he backed up in the first exhibition game by leading the offense in receiving. However, Holden failed to capitalize in Saturday’s loss where he was held without a catch.
Holden is on the roster bubble, but with wide receiver Jonathan Mingo out for over a month, there could be an even bigger opportunity for the UDFA to earn his way onto the roster. His big week has begun with some fireworks during practice, something Holden will need to continue during Friday night’s contest.
Traeshon Holden is having a night here in Frisco. Four receptions including a jump ball TD just now over Ojumudia.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) August 21, 2025
He looks like a strong bet, but there’s a group of WRs Holden is competing against for a roster spot, Jalen Brooks, Jalen Cropper and Ryan Flournoy among them, so it’ll take another solid showing for Holden to win a job.
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