Wide receiver Camden Brown has already done enough to get the Dallas Cowboys‘ attention. Now comes the harder part.
The undrafted rookie wide receiver will enter Saturday night’s preseason matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, facing another important test as Dallas continues to evaluate its crowded receiver room.
Brown’s two-touchdown performance against the Seattle Seahawks gave him significant momentum. He caught three passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns in Dallas’ 17-7 preseason victory over Seattle. His first touchdown came on a 39-yard reception, while his second was an impressive one-handed grab near the goal line.
Those plays showed exactly why Brown has generated buzz throughout training camp. His ability to make contested catches, track the football, judge jump balls, and adjust to difficult throws has separated him from other players competing for opportunities. But the Cowboys still have difficult decisions to make, as the WR position is crowded, and one strong preseason game does not guarantee a roster spot.
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are firmly established near the top of the depth chart, while Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, and other receivers are also competing for roles. The Cowboys also have veterans and younger players battling for limited roster spots.
HC Schottenheimer noticed a spark in Flournoy and Mingo
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer thinks very highly of wide receiver Ryan Flournoy. He values Flournoy’s willingness to do the “dirty work” that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet, specifically his run blocking and contributions on special teams.
“He earned it the right way, he earned it through special teams. Flournoy earned it by doing the run blocking, doing the things in the run game — the dirty work, if you will,” Schottenheimer said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “Now he’s one of those guys — because he does everything right — Dak [Prescott] doesn’t hesitate when he looks at him. He just turns it loose. He gets to his spot.”
Schottenheimer believes this hard work earned him more playing time and trust from quarterback Dak Prescott, which led to a more productive 2025 season. He sees Flournoy as a player who does everything right, making him a reliable target. So, the coach’s understanding of Flournoy makes Brown’s roster-spot journey steeper.
Though Brown is on the head coach’s list of top 10 training camp players who exceeded expectations, so are Mingo and Flournoy.
That makes Saturday’s game particularly important for Brown to solidify his roster spot. His challenge is no longer simply proving that he can make spectacular plays. He needs to show the coaching staff that his production can be repeated consistently.
However, Brian Schottenheimer made that reality clear when he was asked what Brown needs to do to concretize his roster position. “I think that’s putting the cart before the horse a little bit,” Schottenheimer said, per Cowboys reporter Joseph Hoyt.
The Cowboys coach instead pointed toward the competition surrounding Brown, specifically highlighting the battle involving Brown, Jonathan Mingo, and Anthony Smith. In other words, Brown has earned consideration, but he has not earned certainty.
QB Dak Prescott sees something different in Camden Brown
Brown’s emergence has also caught the attention of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who has been watching the rookie closely since the early stages of the offseason.
Prescott said he became fond of Brown after hearing his story and learning about his mindset. The two also share Louisiana ties, adding another layer to their connection. More importantly, Prescott believes Brown understands what he needs to do to contribute.
“He’s going to do everything he can to help the team produce,” Prescott said. “He knows what kind of player he is, but whatever comes his way, and responsibilities he’s accepted that.” Prescott’s confidence in Brown isn’t based solely on the highlight catches.
He has specifically praised Brown’s willingness to make physical and contested catches, an important trait for a receiver trying to earn consistent opportunities in the NFL.
“A lot of times I throw it away from the defender more than it is to a receiver,” Prescott said. “And so if you aren’t confident about making physical catches and contested catches, then it’s going to be hard to last at that position.” That is where Brown has already made an impression.
The rookie’s production against Seattle showed he can make difficult catches when the ball is not perfectly placed. Now, against Arizona, he has another opportunity to prove that performance was not an isolated flash.
The brutal reality is that Brown may have to keep producing spectacularly just to remain in the conversation. Schottenheimer has already warned against assuming Brown’s roster spot is secured. And that is why Saturday’s late-night preseason game gives the rookie another chance to make that assumption harder for the Cowboys to resist.
