The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday in what was, by all accounts, a preseason game. It wasn’t a pretty game, but Trey Lance was better and the Cowboys’ 2024 draft class was at its best, including Tyler Guyton, Marshawn Kneeland, Cooper Beebe and Marist Liufau.
As for other standout players, the coaching staff will have a tough time keeping undrafted safety Julius Wood off the roster. Running back Deuce Vaughn returned from a hamstring injury and made a number of plays.
In a game that was full of pleasant surprises from Dallas’ perspective, perhaps the biggest surprise was cornerback Andrew Booth. Booth was acquired from the Vikings last week in a trade that brought Nahshon Wright, a third-round pick by the Cowboys in 2021, to Minnesota. He played sparingly against the Rams.
After a week of training, Booth came into the game very well on Saturday night and made a strong first impression with Mike Zimmer.
The game didn’t start well for Booth. He was beaten on a long pass early in the first quarter. He almost closed the gap in time to intercept the pass, but his diving attempt was just out of reach. Allowing a 48-yard catch isn’t the starting shot Booth had planned for the Cowboys, but he didn’t let his head hang.
In fact, Booth was arguably Dallas’ greatest defensive player. The 2022 second-round pick led the team with eight tackles, the same number he produced in 17 games with the Vikings last season. He also broke up a few passes in coverage.
Andrew Booth in 17 games last season: 7 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle
Andrew Booth tonight: 7 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) 18 August 2024
Tackling in open space is a must for Zimmer’s defense and Booth did that in abundance. The surprising thing is that tackling was one of the biggest criticisms of Booth when he left Clemson when he was considered a first-round pick. That carried over to the NFL, which would explain why he never succeeded with the Vikings.
However, this was more due to form than willingness to tackle, so Zimmer may have already bitten off more than the former Tiger’s teeth.
The importance of open field tackles cannot be overstated. In Week 1, Eric Scott Jr. missed a tackle on a slant route that led to an explosive play for the Rams. Allowing catches underneath happens. Preventing a big gain is just as (if not more) important than breaking up a pass.
If Booth continues to make good tackles, he will be included on the 53-man roster as the best backup to Jourdan Lewis and the Cowboys’ already strong secondary will be even better positioned.
