The agreement is universal, at least among pundits already doing NFL power rankings before the first game of preseason: the Dallas Cowboys have gotten much better since the end of last year. While their 7-9-1 record last year ranked them 21st among 32 teams, a fairly strong final month offset the final record by a meaningless last game we-don’t-care loss had them around 15th or 16th in most end-of-year power rankings. A quick look at five outlets that already have power rankings (this does not include ESPN.com) shows them ranking anywhere between ninth (which contends for an NFC East title) and 14th. More: Dallas Cowboys worth $15.5B, remain most valuable team in sports
What all those rankings agree on is that the defense should be better. More of these will be dropping after the preseason gets underway but here is where Dallas stands on the eve of their Seattle preseason opener. Dallas Cowboys power ranking roundup The general consensus is that Dallas will be dramatically improved after closing last season with the 21st-best record in the 32-team NFL, and in fact, most early rankings have the Cowboys just outside the top 10. Here is a roundup. USA Today: 9 Nate Davis writes: “The quarterback is healthy. He has an elite suite of weapons at his disposal. A porous defense appears nicely upgraded. There appears to be a golden opportunity to win this division. Basically, it's Cincinnati West.” More: Justin Barron makes his case for a Dallas Cowboys roster spot NFL.com: 11 Nick Shook writes: “I am extremely high on the 2026 Cowboys. I understand this is partially the product of projection on defense, but Dallas is my favorite under-the-radar title contender right now. Jerry Jones and Co. attacked their defensive weaknesses in the offseason, signing free agents Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant, trading for Rashan Gary and Dee Winters, and spending their first three draft picks on that side of the ball (first-rounder Caleb Downs has been as advanced as advertised, while third-rounder Jaishawn Barham is already turning heads as a potential steal). “If new defensive coordinator Christian Parker can assemble these pieces effectively, the 'Boys will be pairing an upgraded defense with one of the league's most explosive offenses. That's a recipe for a leap in Year 2 under Brian Schottenheimer.” The Score: 14 The Score staff writes: “A revamped defense should be better suited to complement a prolific Cowboys offense more than it did a year ago. If it does, Dallas will cause trouble for the rest of the NFC. This squad could go all the way if the stars align, but you're old enough to know that they never do.” The Athletic: 13 Josh Kendall writes: “And it’s probably time. In the past three seasons, Dallas has fielded the league’s eighth-best offense (based on EPA/game), while having a bottom-five defense. Defensive coordinator Christian Parker came over from Philadelphia in the offseason, and the Cowboys added pass rusher Rashan Gary via trade as well as safety Caleb Downs and defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence with first-round picks.” Yahoo Sports: 9 Yahoo Sports staff writes: “The Cowboys are the most optimistic ranking on this countdown, and by a healthy margin. Having them ranked ahead of the Eagles could look pretty dumb early in the season if Dallas' defense is still bad, but I'm buying what the Cowboys did this offseason and trust the offense to maintain its level.” George Pickens stands out ESPN.com’s Todd Archer’s daily training camp update leads with a question: ‘Who is the Cowboys' top performer so far at camp?’ And he comes up with receiver George Pickens. Archer writes: He has essentially made a big play in every practice as he gets set to play on the $27.3 million franchise tag. Whatever disenchantment some may have felt Pickens would have without the long-term deal has been unfounded. Coaches have noted his attention in the meeting rooms since the start of training camp. He and Dak Prescott have picked up where they left off in 2025 when he had career highs in catches, yards and touchdowns. Does that mean he will surpass those figures again in 2026? Not necessarily, but his performance so far has shown a focused player as the season inches closer.” His next question is “What still needs to be answered over the course of preseason games?” and points out that the real biggest question — how good will the defense be? − isn’t worth answering because the starters aren’t playing in the preseason. So he then goes to who will be the QB2, Sam Howell or Joe Milton III. While noting that they will be playing behind backup lines, potentially against starting defenses, the Cowboys have enough line depth to protect them and let them compete for the backup spot to Prescott. Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence likely to play against Seattle Dallas’ top two draft picks, safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, have been declared likely to play in Saturday, Aug. 15, preseason opener against Seattle, according to coach Brian Schottenheimer through DallasCowboys.com. "We're still working through the rotations of who's going to play," Schottenheimer said. "I think at some point they'll both play a little bit of football. We're working through that now. … I would expect you probably see both of them play a little bit." Downs has been listed as both a starting “DB” (nickel) and a backup safety in Dallas’ official depth chart. Lawrence shares the second line on the depth chart with Sam Williams behind Donovan Ezeiruaku. Kickoff is set for Saturday, August 15, at 8 p.m. MT/7p.m. CT. Stock rising for six young Cowboys DallasCowboys.com ran a list of six players whose stock improved in Thursday, Aug. 13, joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams and all but one are in the early parts of their careers. The exception was returner KaVonte Turpin, who begins his fifth year. The others are third-year tackle Tyler Guyton, rookie undrafted free agent Michael Trigg, linebacker Justin Barron, second-year corner Shavon Revel Jr. and second-year pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku. Cowboys host Carne Asada event Cowboys Carne Asada is an annual cultural festival celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month hosted by the Dallas Cowboys. This year’s 8-hour event is set for Sept. 19 at the Miller Lite House at AT&T Stadium. It features live regional Mexican and electronic music, local food trucks, and family activities. Tickets are $31 through Seat Geek. When is the Dallas Cowboys' first game? The Dallas Cowboys’ first preseason game is Saturday, Aug. 15, at Seattle. It kicks off at 5 p.m. in Seattle, so 6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT. It will be carried on the NFL Network. The Cowboys’ first regular-season game is the Sunday Night Football opener on Sept. 13 at the New York Giants. Kickoff is at 6:20 p.m. MT/7:20 p.m. CT. The first home game is the following week, Sunday, Sept. 20, against the Washington Commanders at 2:25 p.m. MT/3:25 p.m. CT. Dallas Cowboys preseason schedule 2026 Dallas opens the semi-competitive part of its fall schedule against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 15 in their preseason opener. Here is the three-game preseason slate. Week 1 Sat, Aug 15 at Seattle Seahawks 6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT Week 2 Sat, Aug 22 at Arizona Cardinals 11 a.m. MT/noon CT Week 3 Sat, Aug 29 vs. New Orleans Saints 10 a.m. MT/11 a.m. CT Bret Bloomquist can be reached, bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Dallas Cowboys poll of polls. How does Dallas rank this preseason?