Cowboys - Rams: 5 players to watch in their first preseason game | Mazi Smith Stetson Bennett Trey Lance

It feels so good to say that football is back, baby! And yes, it may just be the preseason, but what makes the preseason unique is that we get to see players we may not normally see and some who will be playing for the first time under the bright lights.

And what makes the preseason exciting is the roster fights and the position battles. The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams will play in their first preseason game this Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.

The Rams and Cowboys both have rookies looking to prove themselves as well as a few veterans who need to prove they still deserve to be there. Here are the players to watch this Sunday.

5 players to watch in Cowboys @ Rams on Sunday

1. Cowboys DT Mazi Smith

Mazi Smith was inexplicably taken in the first round of the 2023 draft by the Cowboys, and had an incredibly underwhelming rookie season. He’s not a rookie this year, but he basically may as well be considering he only took 28% of defensive snaps last year. He’s put on weight since then and has improved his ability to get off the snap on time during training camp. So now is his chance to prove he deserved that first-round pick.

2. Rams QB Stetson Bennett

The preseason is the time for the backups to shine. And Matthew Stafford’s primary backup is Jimmy Garoppolo, who’s been suspended for the first two games of the season. That leaves Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn immediately behind Stafford for Weeks 1 and 2 of the regular season.

Bennett is the quarterback likely to see some significant reps in Sunday’s game vs the Cowboys. This will be his chance to show that he can be a solid long-term option as the backup QB.

3. Cowboys OT Tyler Guyton

Guyton is the first-round pick of this season and he’s going from right tackle to left tackle to start his NFL career. No pressure! He’s done encouragingly well up against All-Pro Micah Parsons during training camp, but going up against some strangers in a real game (albeit one that technically means nothing) will give him some good practice.

Currently, the Cowboys’ unofficial depth chart lists Chuma Edoga ahead of Guyton. Now’s his chance to prove why he deserves the spot.

4. Rams LB Ochaun Mathis

Edge rusher Ochaun Mathis is competing with Nick Hampton, Keir Thomas, and Zach VanValkenburg for a spot on the roster. So far in training camp, he hasn’t proven he deserves it. Jared Verse, Byron Young, and Michael Hecht have done a better job at that so far. The preseason is where Mathis will get the opportunity to show he at least belongs behind the top three on the roster.

5. Cowboys QB Trey Lance

Lance is currently out to prove why he deserves to be a second string quarterback, after being picked third overall in 2021. Although he’s currently not been able to overtake Cooper Rush for that title, Lance is still young and with the Cowboys dragging on Dak Prescott’s contract extension, he’s potentially their answer at the position for the future. (Let’s hope not, but just in case…he should try to have a good preseason).