The Dallas Cowboys will kick off rookie minicamp on Friday and it's time to get to know the team a little bit better. I already wrote a post-draft 53-man roster projection but the diehard fans want to know who is likely to start, and who will be backups.

That's why I put together a full depth chart of the Cowboys. But before we begin, a few important notes:

• If every reported UDFA signing is officialized, the Cowboys would be at over the 90-man roster limit, so the depth chart below has 95 players listed on it. It will be updated if and when cuts are made. 
• Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2025 undrafted free agents.
• The roster bubble zone separates backups I highly expect to make the roster from those who either have a longshot chance or are "training camp bodies." 

Quarterback (3)

• Starter(s): Dak Prescott
• Reserves/backups: Joe Milton
• Roster bubble zone: Will Grier

Some Mo' thoughts: The biggest question here is if the Cowboys will consider carrying three quarterbacks on the roster. They did so the last couple of years but because Trey Lance wasn't gameday ready. They probably look at Milton as a Day 1 QB2. 

Running back (7)

• Starter(s): Javonte Williams, Hunter Luepke (FB)
• Reserves/backups: Jaydon Blue*, Phil Mafah*
• Roster bubble zone: Miles Sanders, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis

Some Mo' thoughts: I'd be surprised if the Cowboys cut one of the two draft picks at running back even if Mafah is a seventh-rounder. That could spell trouble for Deuce Vaughn and Miles Sanders. 

Wide receiver (12)

• Starter(s): CeeDee Lamb, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Tolbert
• Reserves/backups: Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Parris Campbell
• Roster bubble zone: Jalen Brooks, Jalen Cropper, Seth Williams, Kelvin Harmon, Traeshon Holden**, Josh Kelly**

Some Mo' thoughts: The elephant in the room is this position group will likely have a new face at WR2 by the time the Cowboys report to training camp. But the battle for WR3 will be intriguing, too. 

Tight end (3)

• Starter(s): Jake Ferguson
• Reserves/backups: Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford
• Roster bubble zone: John Stephens Jr., Princeton Fant, Tyler Neville**, Rivaldo Fairweather**

Some Mo' thoughts: Spann-Ford has probably secured his spot in large part thanks to his run blocking and I expect him to make the team again. 

Offensive line (17)

• Starter(s): Tyler Guyton (LT), Tyler Smith (LG), Cooper Beebe (C), Tyler Booker (RG), Terence Steele (RT)
• Reserves/backups: Asim Richards (OT), Brock Hoffman (iOL), Ajani Cornelius (iOL), 
• Roster bubble zone: Nathan Thomas (OT), T.J. Bass (iOL), Rob Jones (iOL), Earl Bostick (OT), Dakoda Shepley (iOL), Matt Waletzko (OT), Hakeem Adeniji (T/G), Saahdiq Charles (iOL), Jack Anderson (iOL)

Some Mo' thoughts: The Cowboys have more than enough depth at guard and competition will be something to follow closely. A name some have forgotten about that I expect to make the roster: Nathan Thomas, a 2024 seventh-round draft pick who was knocked out for his rookie season with injuries. He fits the power and violence profile Dallas seems to be looking for under new OC Klayton Adams. 

EDGE rusher (9)

• Starter(s): Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler Jr.
• Reserves/backups: Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeiruaku*, Sam Williams
• Roster bubble zone: Payton Turner, Tyrus Wheat, Luiji Vilain, Earnest Brown IV

Some Mo' thoughts: This is already looking like one of the best positions on the team. My biggest question is if Turner—a former first-round draft pick—can be a surprise roster member. 

Defensive tackle (7)

• Starter(s): Osa Odighizuwa (three-technique), Mazi Smith (nose) 
• Reserves/backups: Solomon Thomas, Jay Toia*
• Roster bubble zone: Justin Rogers, Tommy Akingbesote*, Denzel Daxon

Some Mo' thoughts: The Cowboys could have a better situation at nose tackle but it all comes down to how much Mazi Smith improves in his third year in the league. 

Linebacker (10)

• Starter(s): DeMarvion Overshown (injured), Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn
• Reserves/backups: Kenneth Murray, Damone Clark, Shemar James*
• Roster bubble zone: Buddy Johnson, Brock Mogensen, Darius Harris, Justin Barron**

Some Mo' thoughts: The starting lineup before Overshown returns from injury should be a concern. I expect Sanborn to get the nod since he knows Matt Eberflus' defensive scheme and he showed promising flashes as a backup in Chicago. 

Cornerback (12)

• Starter(s): DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs (injured), Caelen Carson (nickel)
• Reserves/backups: Kaiir Elam, Israel Mukuamu, Shavon Revel Jr.*
• Roster bubble zone: Josh Butler, Kemon Hall, Luq Barcoo, Andrew Booth, Troy Pride Jr., Bruce Harmon**

Some Mo' thoughts: With Diggs expected to miss the start of the season, I'm guessing the Cowboys are betting on Elam to be a Week 1 starter. But can Revel Jr. pull off the upset as a rookie? 

Safety (3)

• Starter(s): Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson
• Reserves/backups: Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell
• Roster bubble zone: Zion Childress**, Alijah Clark**, Mike Smith**

Some Mo' thoughts: If any of the Cowboys UDFAs at safety is going to make the roster, I'm betting on Clark, who got $259,000 in guaranteed money. 

Special teams (3)

• Starter(s): Bryan Anger (P), Brandon Aubrey (K), Trent Sieg (LS), C.J. Goodwin (ace)

Some Mo' thoughts: Goodwin will have to survive the change of special teams coordinator but he's well-liked in the building. 

Dallas Cowboys to pay a whole lot of money to land hidden gem post-draft that could make the 53-man roster

Surprise rookie?