The initial Dallas Cowboys' 53-man roster is officially set. There will be a lot of moves in the coming days as the team finalizes what it will look like by the time they take the field but there's already a lot to discuss. 

Below, I do my best to list every surprise from the initial roster that was finally set Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Let's dive in.

1. Noah Igbinoghene in, Kelvin Joseph out

I mean, you've got to start with the guy the Cowboys traded for, don't you?

Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene is a former first-round draft pick who hasn't quite gotten the start to his career that he envisioned. The same could be said about Kelvin Joseph, the former second-rounder that Dallas gave up in exchange. But Igbinoghene has more experience working outside, which is where the Cowboys need depth now.

"He's more outside than inside, which is part of the reason why there was interest," Mike McCarthy told reporters, who noted Noah's kickoff return ability and vertical speed, too. 

2. Rookie Hunter Luepke makes the cut!

I guess after Saturday night's 118-yard game, it isn't that big of a surprise. But Luepke didn't have an easy path to the roster. To make it, TE Sean McKeon had to be out of the roster. After all, they both had similar player profiles who could carry out the job of an H-back in McCarthy's offense.

But the undrafted free agent made the cut and the Cowboys won't have to risk him in waivers. Luepke forced their hand.

3. No backup center for Tyler Biadasz?

When backup guard/center Brock Hoffman was waived, I don't think many were surprised. But with Matt Farniok out of a job, too, one has to wonder who will be the backup to Biadasz.  There's no one on the 53-man roster with that kind of experience and the answer is likely whoever ends up back in the practice squad.

This is definitely a concern entering the 2023 NFL season. 

4. Neville Gallimore is staying alive

2023 will be Gallimore's fourth year in the NFL. The former third-round defensive lineman was inactive for a playoff game last January and was forced to play deep into the fourth quarter in this year's preseason. His job appeared at risk all throughout. 

But he's making the cut, perhaps because of him bringing one of the heaviest body types the Cowboys have on defense. While Dallas has some hybrid defensive linemen like Chauncey Golston and Viliami Fehoko, Gallimore has the size advantage at 302 pounds. 

5. Jourdan Lewis is back

The veteran cornerback hasn't practiced at all this year yet he won't be starting the year on Reserve/PUP as many expected him to. Instead, he'll be a part of the Cowboys' 53-man roster.

If truly healthy following a nasty foot injury, Lewis can be a game-changing depth for the Cowboys. A former starter, he can be the next man up at nickel.

6. Every drafted rookie + 2 UDFAs

We already talked about undrafted rookie Hunter Luepke making the team but every draft pick (with the exception of DeMarvion Overshown, who's headed to season-ending Injured Reserve), made the cut of the Cowboys. Even seventh-rounder Jalen Brooks is in. 

On top of that, offensive lineman T.J. Bass is another undrafted rookie who made the cut. Bass was a preseason standout who can be the Cowboys' swing guard. It should be noted that John Stephens, an undrafted tight end, was expected to make the team before season-ending injury as well. 

7. Just 3 "natural" linebackers

The Cowboys will open the season with three rostered linebackers: Leighton Vander Esch, Damone Clark, and Devin Harper. Jabril Cox was one of the most important cuts of the day as the former fourth-round pick failed to make it even though the team barely had any depth at the position.

However, Dan Quinn's defense interchanges safeties and linebackers with ease as it features plenty of hybrid players. One of them will be Markquese Bell, who will take on linebacker duties this season.

Cowboys initial 53-man roster for 2023 NFL season

The initial team is official.

Featured image via Tim Heitman – USA Today Sports