NFL cutdown day is quickly approaching the Dallas Cowboys and projecting the 53-man roster has been a tougher challenge than usual this year.

Why? To put it simply, this is a good, deep collection of talent the Cowboys have. In multiple positions, I struggled to make big and small choices. 

Here's my best guess after two weeks of the preseason on what the initial 53-man roster will look like. Let's dive in.

Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2023 undrafted free agents.

Quarterback (2)

IN: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush
OUT: Will Grier

Some will want to carry Grier on the roster because of the new "emergency QB" rule but he'd still count toward the 53-man player limit. Grier didn't prove he was worth the tradeoff.  

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Running Back (3)

IN: Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn* 
OUT: Ronald Jones, Malik Davis, Hunter Luepke**

Vaughn did enough to prove he belongs on the roster. The Cowboys are likely to keep some of their cut running backs on the practice squad to be called up at any moment. For the first time this year, I have Luepke missing the cut. That's in big part because of Sean McKeon.

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Wide Receiver (6)

IN: CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks*
OUT: Simi Fehoko, Dennis Houston, Dontario Drummond, David Durden**, Jalen Moreno-Cropper**, Jose Barbon**. Tyron Johnson

Tolbert left no doubt he's WR4 and he might even push for WR3-like playing time. The Cowboys' seventh-round draft pick, Jalen Brooks, has had a very strong training camp and since Simi Fehoko did little to challenge him, he's one of the tough cuts on this projection.

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Tight End (4)

IN: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker*, Peyton Hendershot, Sean McKeon

OUT: Seth Green, Princeton Fant**, John Stephens** (IR bound)

Stephens had a legit shot at outplaying Hendershot or McKeon out of a roster spot but a season-ending knee injury will keep that from happening. McKeon will play a versatile role as an H-back type player and should spend a lot of time in the backfield.

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Offensive line (9)

IN: Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, Terence Steele, Matt Waletzko, Asim Richards*, Matt Farniok, Josh Ball
OUT: Chuma Edoga, Alex Taylor, Brock Hoffman, Earl Bostick**, T.J. Bass**, Alec Lindstrom, Alex Taylor

Ball has been one of the biggest risers of the preseason while Edoga's injury hasn't allowed him to fight for his job properly. Farniok is squeezed in as he's the guy playing backup to Tyler Biadasz so far. Waletzko and Richards will likely be the backup tackles.

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EDGE rushers (7)

IN: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, Viliami Fehoko*, Isaiah Land**
OUT: Durrell Johnson**, Tyrus Wheat**, Ben Banogu

As you can see, I'm going significantly long in this position. Part of the reason is that multiple players can play inside as Dan Quinn has shown in past years. Fourth-round rookie Viliami Fehoko is no different. 

Land, an undrafted rookie, is one of the boldest predictions on the list but he's played extremely well in two games to leave him off the 53. The dark horse has received praise from Quinn since the offseason and he's led the team in pressures in both exhibition showings. Good players make rosters and that's what Land is. He could be the biggest steal of this year's Cowboys rookie class.

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Defensive tackle (4)

IN: Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith*, Chauncey Golston,  Jonathan Hankins
OUT: Isaac Alarcón, Quinton Bohanna, Neville Gallimore

As noted above, the Cowboys can have some of their edge rushers slide in whenever they need them to. At nose tackle, they're covered with Smith and Hankins. Gallimore, a former third-round pick, is perhaps one of the toughest cuts in the projection.

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Linebacker (4)

IN: Leighton Vander Esch, Damone Clark, Jabril Cox, Devin Harper
OUT: DeMarvion Overshown* (IR bound), Malik Jefferson

I hate to have to write "Overshown" in the OUT section but it's literally the only choice following his season-ending injury. The Cowboys could be looking at adding somebody at this position via free agency or the trade market. Or they could very well bet on what they have, which could be their best option. 

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Cornerback (6)

IN: Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmore, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Kelvin Joseph, C.J. Goodwin
OUT: Nahshon Wright, Eric Scott Jr.*, Myles Brooks**, D'Angelo Mandell**

I can't remember the last time cornerback cuts were this tough to project for the Cowboys. This is a deep group and although it's clear the coaching staff likes Scott, I don't see them moving on from Joseph after a strong preseason. Perhaps Lewis could start the year in PUP (he has yet to practice this year) but I will refrain from speculating until it happens. Wright is another camp riser who misses the cut.

I'm done doubting Goodwin's prospects of making the team. He's a special teams ace and the Cowboys need him around.

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Safety (5)

IN: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse, Israel Mukuamu, Markquese Bell
OUT: Tyler Coyle, Juanyeh Thomas, Sheldrick Redwine 

This is a key unit as the Cowboys will frequently use three-safety looks. While Thomas could steal Bell's job, I'm still betting on the second-year player to stick around, especially since he can be more of a box defender and the team needs the depth because of injuries at LB.

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Special Teams (3)

IN: Bryan Anger (P), Brandon Aubrey (K), Trent Sieg (LS)
OUT: 

I'm not sure about Aubrey but he's the lone kicker on the roster so… yes. 

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Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports