Cowboys @ 49ers Preseason Report Card: Player Grades Are In

With the game against San Francisco in the books, here are the individual performance grades of each player. These grades are determined by a combination of game tape review and detailed statistics from Pro Football Focus. Only the Cowboys starters and key depth players were evaluated.

Quarterbacks

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
B+	Tony Romo	QB	3	100% accuracy rating
B	Brandon Weeden	QB	11	75% accuracy rating
D	Jameill Showers	QB	26	57.1% accuracy rating, 1 TD, 2 INT
F	Dustin Vaughan	QB	31	46.7% accuracy rating, 2 INT

Tony Romo played one series and came out unscathed so he comes out the big winner. There were no stellar performances by anyone, but Dustin Vaughn struggled the most.

Running Backs

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
B+	Joseph Randle	RB	20	7 carries, 4.29 ypc, caused 4 missed tackles
B	Gus Johnson	RB	9	3 carries, 4.0 ypc, caused 1 missed tackle
C+	Lance Dunbar	RB	5	2 catches for 2 yards
C	Tyler Clutts	FB	8	had -1.0 PFF grade
C-	Darren McFadden	RB	4	3 carries, 1.33 ypc, no missed tackles

Again, no real standout performances. Joseph Randle played well in his first preseason action. Darren McFadden didn't get much of a chance, but did very little with the chances he did get.

Wide Receivers

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
B+	A.J. Jenkins	WR	19	2 catches for 40 yards
B	Nick Harwell	WR	22	1 TD catch, penalty
C	Terrance Williams	WR	14	no targets
C	Cole Beasley	WR	6	no targets

There wasn't a lot of action in the passing game. A.J. Jenkins highlights the day with a big game against the team that wasted a first-round pick on him.

Tight Ends

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
B+	Jason Witten	TE	3	1 pass play, no pressure allowed
B	Geoff Swaim	TE	65	4 catches
C-	Gavin Escobar	TE	25	2 catches, 1 drop

Geoff Swain was active in the passing game, but struggled with his blocking. Gavin Escobar had a crucial third down drop that caused everyone to immediately start disliking Weeden more.

Offensive Line

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
A	Laurence Gibson	RT	26	20 pass plays, no pressures allowed
B+	Doug Free	RT	6	3 pass plays, no pressures allowed
B-	Darrion Weems	LT	45	25 pass plays, 1 hit allowed, holding penalty
B-	Mackenzy Bernadeau	RG	29	16 pass plays, no pressures allowed, poor run grade
C+	Travis Frederick	C	10	4 pass plays, no pressures allowed, poor run grade
C	La'el Collins	LG	45	25 pass plays, 1 sack allowed, average run grade
D	John Wetzel	RG	65	42 pass plays, 2 pressures allowed, poor run grade
F	R.J. Dill	LT	61	41 pass plays, 2 sacks and 8 pressures allowed

Laurence Gibson played extremely well in this game. Darrion Weems had a better performance than he did last week against San Diego. The reserve combination of Wetzel and Dill continue to be dreadful.

Defensive Ends

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
A	Ben Gardner	DE	24	1 sack, 2 stops, 3 pressures in 7 pass rushing snaps
A	Randy Gregory	DE	23	1 sack, 1 stop, and 1 pressure
B	DeMarcus Lawrence	DE	12	1 tackle, 1 pressures
B	Ryan Russell	DE	43	1 sack, 2 tackles
B	Jeremy Mincey	DE	12	2 pressures in only 5 pass rushing snaps
B	Efe Obada	DE	11	1 stop and 2 pressures
C	Lavar Edwards	DE	36	1 tackle, 1 pressure
D	Greg Hardy	DE	14	No pressures, no run stops

Fan favorite Ben Gardner had a great game as he vies for one of the final roster spots. Cowboys development project, Efe Obada, also had an impressive showing. Ryan Russell also had a sack, but the 49ers right tackle tripped and fell down given him a clear path to Blaine Gabbert.

Defensive Tackles

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
B+	Davon Coleman	DT	32	2 tackles, 2 pressures
B	Jack Crawford	DT	12	1 stop, 1 pressure
C	Ken Bishop	DT	26	3 tackles, 1 pressure

Davon Coleman continues his strong preseason. Jack Crawford had a great stop behind the line of scrimmage, but it looked like  blown assignment from the 49ers interior line.

Linebackers

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
A	Keith Smith	LB	24	5 stops
B	Andrew Gachkar	LB	20	2 stops
C	Jasper Brinkley	LB	27	3 tackles
D	Damien Wilson	LB	20	2 missed tackles
D	Kyle Wilber	LB	17	1 stop

Keith Smith continues his strong play with two big plays for losses. The Cowboys reserve linebackers were less than impressive, but they did play against the 49ers first unit.

Cornerbacks

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
A-	Corey White	CB	26	3 receptions, 14 yards
B+	Tyler Patmon	CB	32	2 receptions, -5 yards
B	Robert Steeples	CB	37	1 reception, 9 yards
C	Orlando Scandrick	CB	12	solid coverage, 1 penalty

There were strong performances across the board. Corey White had a great pass break-up. Tyler Patmon was solid in coverage. With Orlando Scandrick going down, a new corner to add to the list is Robert Steeples. He played well in reserve duty.

Safeties

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
B	Danny McCray	S	52	3 tackles
C	J.J. Wilcox	S	12	2 tackles
C	Barry Church	S	12	No tackles, no targets
D	Jeff Heath	S	33	2 missed tackles

The Cowboys starters were solid in minimal action. As far as the backups go, Danny McCray had a better showing than Jeff Heath.

Special Teams

Grade	Player	Po.	Snaps	Notes
A	Chris Jones	P	2	56.5 yard average with a 61 yarder
C	Lucky Whitehead	PR	17	4 punt returns, 11.4 average, long 26 yards
F	Dan Bailey	K	1	Missed 43 yard FG

After struggling in the postseason last year, Dan Bailey is still off-target. Hopefully, this is something that will disappear shortly.

Honor Roll:

Laurence Gibson - could give Weems some competition for that swing tackle position.

Randy Gregory - is he supposed to be this good so soon?

Ben Gardner - if he keeps finding himself in the middle of plays, he might find himself on this roster.

Davon Coleman - how is this guy not farther up the depth chart? All he does is make plays.

Keith Smith - he could be playing Jasper Brinkley off the roster.

Corey White - two preseason games, two strong performances.

Chris Jones - his punts would stand out more if they didn't get ran back for a gazillion yards.

Principal's Office:

Dustin Vaughan - he needs to be put in a time-out.

R.J. Dill - why is this guy allowed on the field? I'd rather Marc Columbo suit up and give the team some reps.

Greg Hardy - big things are expected from this big player. So far, he has been a little sluggish. Hopefully, that all changes once he gets acclimated.

Jeff Heath -  the stiff-arm from the 49ers rugby player, Jarryd Hayne, was just embarrassing.

Dan Bailey - hopefully, he'll split'em next time.