Mailbag: Is Cowboys' depth a big concern?

Since the wide receiver room has good depth, would it make sense to look at trading someone like Jalen Tolbert for a defensive tackle or cornerback? Is there any other position group deep enough to use in a swap? 

When the quarterback is struggling, how difficult is it to evaluate the other players on offense in these preseason games? 

I've been reading that the Cowboys hold all the leverage in their negotiations with Micah Parsons, but what if he decides to not play? What does Dallas look like then without maybe the best defensive player in the NFL? Does that carry any leverage? Could this be Emmitt Smith all over again? 

The Rams rushed for more than 180 yards in the first preseason game and reportedly had no trouble running the ball in the earlier scrimmage when the starters played. We've been told we shouldn't be too worried at this point, but we've been talking about this for what seems like years and here we are again. So yeah, I'm worried. Is there a fix for the run defense? 

I'm loving everything about Brian Schottenheimer, but I'm also a realist. It took Dan Campbell two years to truly implement his culture in Detroit and get the Lions to buy in. Is too much being asked of Schottenheimer in his first year? Or will the team be ready to compete now? 

Were you surprised Tyler Booker didn't play in the first preseason game, the only healthy first-round pick in the NFL who didn't? I get they want to protect their starters, but doesn't he need experience before the games really matter?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I feel 95 percent of this roster is set. So in your opinion, who needs to play their way onto the team this preseason? Who will you be watching in these games? 

With the Cowboys getting ready to start their preseason schedule, don't you think that the projected starters should play a little more in the preseason? I understand the risk of injury and using those games to evaluate the younger players, but I think giving the starters a few more reps during the preseason would better prepare them for the season.

The salary cap is real, and Micah Parsons has value like Herschel Walker did in 1989. We can't keep them all, so why not trade for help at defensive tackle, cornerback or offensive line and picks? Then you also have that money for others like DaRon Bland, George Pickens, etc.

I'm a lifelong fan through good days and bad, and I have high hopes for this season. But I have to be honest, the current rhetoric surrounding the Micah Parsons situation is concerning. This team doesn't seem unified to me. Does the general tone from players who are currently speaking out or posting on social media in support of him worry you guys as well? 

Many folks are optimistic in their outlook for the 2025 season, and most of that appears to be based on players maintaining their health. But what about the fact that this is an almost entirely new coaching staff with assistants who are both new to the NFL and to their positional responsibilities? In my opinion, that nearly subtracts two wins from any projections of the final record for 2025. Too pessimistic?