Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster projection before preseason: This year's draft pick misses the cut
The Dallas Cowboys' preseason kicks off on Sunday when the team visits the Los Angeles Rams but competition is at full-go for the team as it continues training camp.Before the preseason overreaction frenzy begins, let's dive into my latest 53-man roster projection, put together with what we've learned in little over a week of camp. Note: […]
The Dallas Cowboys' preseason kicks off on Sunday when the team visits the Los Angeles Rams but competition is at full-go for the team as it continues training camp.
Before the preseason overreaction frenzy begins, let's dive into my latest 53-man roster projection, put together with what we've learned in little over a week of camp.
Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2024 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2024 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (3)
IN: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
OUT:
In each of my two previous roster projections, I had the Cowboys rolling with Trey Lance and cutting Cooper Rush. Unless the former lights it up in the preseason, I don't see that happening anymore.
Lance's camp has had ups and downs but struggles with his vision persist. They know what they've got in Rush: Someone who knows the system and can do enough on Sundays if called upon to keep the Cowboys in the game. But letting Lance doesn't seem like a viable option so three QBs it is.
Running back (4)
IN: Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, Royce Freeman, Hunter Luepke (FB)
OUT: Snoop Conner, Malik Davis, Deuce Vaughn, Nate Peat**
The praise Royce Freeman received from Mike McCarthy shouldn't be overlooked considering he pointed out two things that are extremely valuable for the Cowboys head coach: Special teams and pass protection. Vaughn needs a strong preseason to make it.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy*
OUT: David Durden, Racey McMath, Jalen Moreno-Cropper, Cam Johnson**, Tyron Billy-Johnson, Kelvin Harmon, Deontay Burnett
WR No. 1 through No. 5 is almost set in stone. But things are getting interesting in the race for WR6 with Jalen Moreno-Cropper, David Durden, and Tyron Billy-Johnson all being off to a decent start, at least. Flournoy is a draft pick though and he's back from injury. I'll bet on him showing up in the preseason.
Tight end (3)
IN: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens Jr.
OUT: Peyton Hendershot, Princeton Fant, Alec Holler**, Brevyn Spann-Ford**
Three tight ends is certainly going short at the position but the numbers game can get difficult real fast and with FB Hunter Luepke getting in TE work, this could be a very real possibility for the Cowboys.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Tyler Guyton*, Tyler Smith , Cooper Beebe*, Zack Martin, Terence Steele, Chuma Edoga, T.J. Bass, Brock Hoffman, Asim Richards
OUT: Josh Ball, Earl Bostick Jr., Dakoda Shepley, Matt Waletzko, Nathan Thomas*
Chuma Edoga missed my two initial roster projections but the Cowboys are clearly much higher on him than we thought. Dallas might need to find a way to get one of their rookies on the room because the above nine are looking like locks. For now I've got them cutting seventh-round rookie Nathan Thomas as a victim of a numbers game.
EDGE (5)
IN: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Marshawn Kneeland*, Tyrus Wheat, Al-Quadin Muhammad
OUT: Sam Williams, Durrell Johnson, Byron Vaughns**, Shaka Toney
Even though Micah Parsons is set to move around and get off-ball linebacker snaps, I'm listing him with the edge rushers. No Sam Williams hurts and the Cowboys might bet on a young player like Wheat for depth. This unit's depth is a legit concern and there's so much riding on Marshawn Kneeland's rookie year.
Defensive tackle (5)
IN: Osa Odighizuwa (3T), Mazi Smith (NT), Chauncey Golston (3T), Justin Rogers* (NT), Viliami Fehoko
OUT: Carl Davis, Denzel Daxon**
Fehoko could go with the edge rushers but he's been getting a lot of work inside at training camp so he projects as a versatile lineman that makes the team in large part thanks to his moving around. This is arguably the weakest room on the team and the Cowboys badly need Mazi Smith to level up.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau*, Willie Harvey Jr.
OUT: Buddy Johnson, Jason Johnson**, Brock Mogenson**, Damien Wilson
Not a lot of surprises here but one thing is for sure: The Cowboys LB room is looking unbelievably deeper compared to last year's group and the unit is showing off in camp, flying around the field and making plays, from Overshown sending All-Pro guard Tyler Smith to the ground to everyone blitzing from different spots.
Cornerback (5)
IN: Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Caelen Carson*, Eric Scott Jr.
OUT: Nahshon Wright, Josh Butler, Josh DeBerry**, Kemon Hall
Wright has been getting a lot of playing time with the first-team defense at camp but that doesn't necessarily mean he's been doing great. I don't see him making the cut with the Cowboys accepting the inexperienced depth in the already impressive Carson and Scott Jr.
Safety (4)
IN: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell
OUT: Israel Mukuamu, Sheldrick Redwine, Emany Johnson**, Julius Wood**
It pains me to cut Mukuamu in this projection as I believe it's more on the Cowboys that he's in this spot than it is on the player, as they didn't ever pick up a true role for him. Other than that, fans should be fired up for this unit.
Specialists (4)
IN: Brandon Aubrey (K), Bryan Anger (P), Trent Sieg (LS), C.J. Goodwin (ace)
OUT: None
I'm done doubting C.J. Goodwin's chances at a roster spot and until proven otherwise, I think Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel makes sure he's on the roster every single year.
