Dallas Cowboys 90-Man Depth Chart Projection: Looking at starters, backups, and every player on the roster bubble
The Dallas Cowboys’ team-building process is almost done. It’s time to dive into their 90-man roster and build a depth chart with thoughts for each position.
The Dallas Cowboys are almost done building their team for the 2026 NFL season. As of this writing, the roster sits at 88 players.
Let’s not waste any time: Below is a 90-man depth chart projection separating players into starters, reserves/backups (highly likely to make the roster), and roster bubble players.
Quarterback (3)
- Starter(s): Dak Prescott
- Reserves/backups: N/A
- Roster bubble zone: Joe Milton, Sam Howell
Some Mo’ thoughts: Milton and Howell are said to be in an open competition, so both are on the roster bubble zone for now. Milton has the inside track based on his experience within the scheme but his accuracy woes can’t be ignored.
Running back (7)
- Starter(s): Javonte Williams, Hunter Luepke (FB)
- Reserves/backups: Phil Mafah
- Roster bubble zone: Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, Israel Abanikanda, Dominic Robinson**
Some Mo’ thoughts: Jaydon Blue and Malik Davis both being on the roster bubble may be a surprise to some people but we just don’t know how they feel about Blue, who was a healthy scratch most of the 2025 season. I find it unlikely they cut Mafah and I don’t see them carrying five RBs on the roster.
Wide receiver (12)
- Starter(s): CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy
- Reserves/backups: KaVontae Turpin
- Roster bubble zone: Jonathan Mingo, Anthony Smith*, Jordan Hudson**, Camden Brown**, Traeshon Holden, Parris Campbell, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tyler Johnson
Some Mo’ thoughts: The battle at the bottom of the depth chart is going to be something. After KaVontae Turpin, good luck figuring out who is WR5 and WR6. The undrafted free agents have a chance, but so does seventh-round pick Anthony Smith. Don’t be too excited about the Valdes-Scantling addition, though.
Tight end (6)
- Starter(s): Jake Ferguson
- Reserves/backups: Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford
- Roster bubble zone: Princeton Fant, DJ Rogers**, Michael Trigg***
Some Mo’ thoughts: There’s a chance only Ferguson and Spann-Ford are roster locks here. The Cowboys signed Rogers and Trigg to UDFA deals with $200,000 in guaranteed money, which suggests they view both as 53-man roster candidates.
Offensive line (15)
- Starter(s): Tyler Guyton (LT), Tyler Smith (LG), Cooper Beebe (C), Tyler Booker (RG), Terence Steele (RT)
- Reserves/backups: Drew Shelton (OT), TJ Bass (OG), Matt Hennessy (C), Ajani Cornelius (OT), Nate Thomas (T/G)
- Roster bubble zone: Marcellus Johnson (OT), Nick Leverett (C), Trevor Keegan (OG), Sidney Fugar**, Shiyazh Pete**
Some Mo’ thoughts: This is shaping up to be a pretty deep group of linemen. The big question is if the starting tackles are going to hold up.
EDGE / OLB (9)
- Starter(s): Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku
- Reserves/backups: Malachi Lawrence*, LT Overton*
- Roster bubble zone: Sam Williams, James Houston, Isaiah Land, Tyrus Wheat, Marist Liufau
Some Mo’ thoughts: Lawrence will likely see a lot of playing time on obvious passing downs but Gary and Ezeiruaku get the nod as starters. Sam Williams and James Houston may put up a heck of a battle for the final spot at the position.
Defensive tackle (8)
- Starter(s): Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams
- Reserves/backups: Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard
- Roster bubble zone: Adeyayo Odeleye, Kevin Gilliam**, Tommy Dunn Jr.**
Some Mo’ thoughts: I expect EDGE LT Overton to help out here and it’s anyone’s guess who takes over as a backup to Clark and Williams. I’m betting on the more experienced veterans for now.
Linebacker (7)
- Starter(s): Dee Winters, DeMarvion Overshown
- Reserves/backups: Shemar James, Jaishawn Barham*
- Roster bubble zone: Langston Patterson**, Justin Barron, Curtis Robinson
Some Mo’ thoughts: If the Cowboys played a game today, Winters would probably line up at middle linebacker. But he wasn’t that with the San Francisco 49ers when he started 17 games last year. Look for Dallas to make a move at LB soon.
Cornerback (11)
- Starter(s): DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant
- Reserves/backups: Shavon Revel Jr., Devin Moore*, Reddy Steward (nickel)
- Roster bubble zone: Josh Butler, Caelen Carson, Trikweze Bridges, Zion Childress, Corey Ballentine, Derion Kendrick
Some Mo’ thoughts: Cobie Durant gets the starting nod here but Shavon Revel Jr. could put up a fight. A bunch of previous-regime names are on the roster bubble, but that will happen with a new defensive coordinator in town. I didn’t list a nickel here but wait for it…
Safety (7)
- Starter(s): Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson, Caleb Downs (nickel)
- Reserves/backups: P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell
- Roster bubble zone: Alijah Clark, Julius Wood
Some Mo’ thoughts: The Cowboys are betting on Downs to man the nickel role, so expect three starting safeties in 2026. Jalen Thompson and Downs will likely be deployed as chess pieces moving around all across the field.
Special teams (3)
- Starter(s): Bryan Anger (P), Brandon Aubrey (K), Trent Sieg (LS)
Some Mo’ thoughts: Not much to say here other than no C.J. Goodwin on here still feels weird after he made the team eight consecutive years.