The Dallas Cowboys' first (exhibition) game under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer didn't go as some had hoped. Given Schotty's offensive background, the offense's struggles against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night prompted some worries.
However, there were numerous absences of key players that played a role in this showing. There also were some bright spots, including rookie wide receiver Traeshon Holden.
It turns out Holden did himself a massive favor with his outing against the Rams.
One of the big #Cowboys winners tonight?
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) August 10, 2025
Rookie UDFA receiver Traeshon Holden
Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer: “Every day. He shows up every day. He really does. Every day, he makes a play...That’s a guy you’re going to continue to see moving up the depth chart.” pic.twitter.com/s5Rbni6umU
Cowboys Moving Rookie WR Traeshon Holden Up Depth Chart After Preseason Opener
In postgame comments, Schotteheimer specifically called out Holden as a player who will be moving up the team's depth chart moving forward. The Cowboys' head coach noted the former Oregon standout has made an impression "every day," and that's resulting in his promotion.
This is not only a major compliment to Holden, but it could seriously change Dallas' roster plans at wide receiver.
Currently, the team has starters CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens entrenched, along with WR3 options in Kavonte Turpin, Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo, bringing the already-reserved wideout spots to five. Assuming the Cowboys carry 1-2 more receivers, there's Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Brooks, Jalen Cooper, Josh Kelly and Holden remaining.
Flournoy and Brooks both have familiarity with Schotty's system, giving them the edge in this battle heading into camp. Yet they've also struggled to produce to this point, so Dallas wisely brought in players like Holden to fill out the back half of the expanded preseason depth chart.
With Holden impressing coaches at practice and now having a big game under his belt, though, that should put the rest of the other receivers on notice. The Cowboys only gave him $3K guaranteed as an undrafted rookie signing, meaning they have almost zero real investment in the WR. The fact they want to put him on the fast track to the Week 1 roster speaks volumes about how strong of a chance he has to unseat an incumbent.
Holden's two catches for 42 yards Saturday night are far from a spot-securing performance, but it's the exact kind of promise a team looks for from a potential diamond in the rough. Now he'll head back to practice closer to the front of the line for reps, providing even more opportunities for him to show what he can do against this squad's talented starting and second-string groups.
Given he already made the most of his work with third- and fourth-stringers, look for Holden to take this chance and run with it over the next few weeks.