It’s no secret that the Dallas Cowboys weren’t very active when it came to improving their roster this offseason. Many believe the current group isn’t as talented as the one that was blown out by the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 14.
When asked about this last month, franchise QB Dak Prescott gave the following response.
“Talent is just the beginning, first off,” he said. “You don’t win games with just talent. You don’t win games on paper. And talent really isn’t decided on paper. I understand what it looks like and what it may look like from the outside, I understand the lack of moves, I guess, done creates that conversation. But I’m confident in the men we have.”
In less than three weeks the Cowboys will be arriving in California for the start of training camp. That’s when the real work begins in determining who will be on the final 53-man roster. To give you an idea, here’s our latest roster projection.
Quarterback (2)
Dak Prescott
Trey Lance
The Cowboys are unlikely to keep three quarterbacks, so the backup job comes down to Lance and Cooper Rush. While Rush is more accomplished in NFL games, the Cowboys are hoping Lance can show some of the upside that made him the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lance will get every opportunity to win the backup spot. He would have to look awful in camp and the preseason to not get the job.
Running back (4)
Ezekiel Elliott
Rico Dowdle
Deuce Vaughn
Hunter Luepke
Malik Davis and Royce Freeman will have a chance to be part of this final four. It’s difficult to see Dallas keeping more than that at a position it hasn’t invested very much. This is also a spot where someone not on the current roster ends up on the 53 during the season. If they aren’t getting the job done, a move will need to be made. It’s arguably Dallas’ weakest position group.
Tight end (4)
Jake Ferguson
Luke Schoonmaker
John Stephens Jr.
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Ferguson is clearly above everyone else at the position. The other three should be in a pretty good battle for playing time. Peyton Hendershot and Alec Holler are also in the mix. We went with the other three because Schoonmaker was a second-round pick, Stephens was looking impressive before his knee injury last August, and Spann-Ford was Dallas’ biggest investment in undrafted free agency.
Wide receiver (6)
CeeDee Lamb
Brandin Cooks
Jalen Tolbert
KaVontae Turpin
Jalen Brooks
Ryan Flournoy
Lamb, Cooks, Tolbert and Turpin should see the most opportunities in the passing game if all stay healthy. Brooks and Flournoy would be fighting for the final spot if the Cowboys decided they only wanted to keep five. But six makes sense with this group.
Offensive line (10)
Zack Martin, RG
Tyler Smith, LG
Tyler Guyton, LT
Terence Steele, RT
Cooper Beebe, C
T.J. Bass, OL
Chuma Edoga, OL
Brock Hoffman, C
Asim Richards, OT
Nathan Thomas, OL
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Dallas kept 11, but the roster got tight in other spots, so tough decisions had to be made. The final two came down to Richards and Thomas over Josh Ball and Matt Waletzko. Any of those four could make it. Ball and Waletzko were drafted to make an impact as eventual starters or at least quality depth, but that just hasn’t happened to this point. If Waletzko can stay healthy, he’s got a good shot to be on the 53.
Defensive line (10)
Micah Parsons, DE/LB
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE
Sam Williams, DE
Marshawn Kneeland, DE
Osa Odighizuwa, DT
Mazi Smith, DT
Justin Rogers, DT
Carl Davis, DT
Chauncey Golston, DL
Viliami Fehoko, DL
The versatility of Golston and Fehoko to play on the inside or outside was a factor in keeping both. But there’s a chance that one of them doesn’t make it. The defensive tackle position still doesn’t seem settled. Not re-signing Johnathan Hankins left a hole at a position that already wasn’t great. If Smith makes a major leap in Year 2, some of the concerns could go away. But if he struggles, outside help is absolutely needed.
Linebacker (5)
Eric Kendricks
DeMarvion Overshown
Damone Clark
Marist Liufau
Willie Harvey
Kendricks and Overshown will see the majority of the snaps if both stay healthy. The others will need to make an impact as defensive reserves and on special teams. Harvey will be an interesting player to watch in camp. The Cowboys are hopeful he can carry his UFL success over like Turpin and Brandon Aubrey did in previous seasons.
Defensive back (9)
Trevon Diggs, CB
DaRon Bland, CB
Jourdan Lewis, CB
Caelen Carson, CB
Eric Scott, CB
Malik Hooker, S
Donovan Wilson, S
Markquese Bell, S
Juanyeh Thomas, S
Israel Mukuamu and Nahshon Wright are the two most notable defensive backs left off the list. Both could make it with a strong camp and preseason, but they are on the bubble at this point. Nine seems a little light in the defensive backfield, but it’s possible if they feel strongly enough about Carson and Scott. The starting group seems pretty set with Diggs, Bland and Lewis as the top three corners and Hooker and Wilson at safety.
Special teams (3)
Brandon Aubrey, K
Bryan Anger, P
Trent Sieg, LS
There’s not a lot of debate here. Aubrey and Anger are both coming off Pro Bowl seasons. Sieg held down the long snapper job last year and was re-signed to a one-year deal in March. Defensive back C.J. Goodwin has been a special teams ace in previous seasons. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Dallas find a way to get him on the 53 again right before the season starts.