Dallas Cowboys’ first unofficial depth chart reveals telling details at multiple positions ahead of the preseason
The Dallas Cowboys kick off their 2026 NFL preseason on Saturday when they take on the Seattle Seahawks. Below is their first unofficial depth chart of the year.
The Dallas Cowboys released their first unofficial depth chart of the 2026 season, and while these documents are typically assembled by a team’s public relations staff rather than the coaching staff, they still offer meaningful clues about how the roster is shaping up.
From the tight end pecking order to a surprising outside linebacker competition, let’s break it down ahead of the team’s preseason opener on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Tight end and running back offer early storylines
On offense, the depth chart holds few surprises, but the tight end order stands out. Brevyn Spann-Ford is listed ahead of Luke Schoonmaker, who in turn sits above undrafted free agents Michael Trigg and DJ Rogers. Spann-Ford has been viewed as the favorite for the TE2 role thanks to his contributions in the run game and his development as a pass catcher. Him being listed behind Jake Ferguson fuels those suspicions.
Meanwhile, Schoonmaker remains listed as the No. 3 tight end, though Trigg in particular is expected to continue competing for that spot on the 53-man roster.
At running back, Javonte Williams unsurprisingly holds the starting job. Jaydon Blue is listed as the No. 2 back, followed by Phil Mafah, with Malik Davis fourth. Blue did fumble during Tuesday’s joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams, but he has otherwise been off to a strong start in training camp. He has flashed his speed, shown he can be a pass catcher who provides yards-after-the-catch value, and even turned heads as a pass protector. For a third-round running back trying to earn a role, that last part is crucial. Being listed as RB2 this early on is positive.
Mafah being listed above Davis is somewhat revealing. Mafah still needs to earn his roster spot, but Davis’ upside may be limited despite doing a solid job as the No. 2 back late in the 2025 season. At the bottom of the depth chart sits Jashaun Corbin,, a recent signing who led the UFL in rushing this year. Something to keep in mind.
Defensive tackles and a rookie’s projected role
The Cowboys list three starting defensive tackles: Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, and Otito Ogbonnia. Clark and Williams are no surprise, but Ogbonnia’s inclusion confirms how much Dallas values him. He has been a starter in the Cowboys’ base defense when they align in a true 3-4 look, with Clark, Williams, and Ogbonnia across the defensive line and two outside linebackers as edge rushers.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer recently described Ogbonnia as one of the players who has surprised him the most, particularly among the guys he didn’t know much about before arriving. It’s been trending this way for a while, but Ogbonnia firmly looks like an absolute roster lock.
One more note on the interior: third-round rookie LT Overton is listed as a second-team defensive tackle. That’s telling. The Cowboys clearly view him as an interior defensive lineman rather than an edge rusher, and if he carves out a role as a rookie, it will likely come playing inside rather than outside.
Sam Williams and Malachi Lawrence in a real battle
At outside linebacker, the depth chart lists Sam Williams “or” Malachi Lawrence as the backup behind Donovan Ezeiruaku. That “or” designation signals a genuine competition, and to me it speaks more about Williams than it does Lawrence.
Williams got re-signed this offseason by Dallas, a move many didn’t consider a guarantee given the ups and downs of his career and the fact that he never truly evolved into a starting role. But new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme fits what Williams does best, particularly what he did at Ole Miss, where he was asked to do a little bit of everything, including dropping back into coverage.
Since the start of training camp, it has become clear that Parker wants his outside linebackers to consistently drop into coverage, and Williams appears to be in a great spot to capitalize on that.
I do bet Lawrence’s snap count will ultimately be higher than Williams’s. He’s a first-round pick and a capable pass rusher. But it’s notable that even Lawrence has to compete for that second-team spot according to the depth chart. Meanwhile, Marist Liufau being listed as one of two fourth-string outside linebackers pretty much confirms he faces an uphill battle to make the roster.
Cornerback competition and a Caleb Downs caveat
At cornerback, Shavon Revel Jr. and Cobie Durant are listed opposite DaRon Bland, with that “or” again suggesting an open battle between the two. Revel Jr. has had a strong start to camp and held his own Tuesday against the Rams’ high-powered offense. However, I’m not sure there’s a whole lot to take away from the designation just yet.
One bonus note: the backup returners. KaVontae Turpin remains the All-Pro returner and will make this roster. But RB Jaydon Blue is listed as the backup kick returner, and first-round rookie Caleb Downs is listed as the backup punt returner. I’d be skeptical about Downs seeing meaningful special teams work. Based on everything we’ve seen so far, it’s going to be tough to get Downs off the field on defense. He has been a standout at nickel, held his own against CeeDee Lamb, and shown he can play all across the secondary at safety.
For now, we wait. The preseason opener will tell us more than any unofficial depth chart can.
