Predicting the Dallas Cowboys’ 17-man practice squad following preseason finale, multiple fan favorites make it
Dallas Cowboys fans mostly care about the 53 players making the roster. But what about the practice squad? Let’s game it out.
Once they’re finished with roster cuts, the Dallas Cowboys will quickly pivot to building their 17-man practice squad. I recently posted my final 53-man roster prediction. Now it’s time to predict that squad.
The Cowboys will likely look beyond their own 91 players to build it, but to simplify the below exercise I kept it to players already on the team.
17 predictions for the Cowboys’ practice squad
Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2026 undrafted free agents.
- RB Phil Mafah – At one point of training camp, Mafah appeared to be right in the competition for RB2. That changed throughout the preseason but he’s still a solid depth player to add to the squad.
- RB Israel Abanikanda – The Cowboys were pleasantly surprised by Abanikanda’s performance in training camp.
- WR Anthony Smith* – The Cowboys like speedy wide receivers and Smith can be that and more. He needs time developing but expect the team to add their seventh-round pick to the practice squad.
- TE Michael Trigg** – The undrafted tight end did not have the preseason he wanted, missing one game and going catchless despite three targets on Friday night. But the upside is still there as long as he wants to put the work in.
- TE DJ Rogers** – Though Trigg was the most popular of the two, the Cowboys clearly like Rogers. They signed him to the second-highest guaranteed money out of their undrafted free agency class, only $80,000 below Trigg.
- WR Jordan Hudson** – Hudson might end up going back to college football after a judge ruled he and 40 other players are eligible for a fifth season. If he wants to stick around in the pros, Friday’s 97-yard game was the perfect audition for a practice squad spot.
- OT Marcellus Johnson – Whether it’s in-house or someone from outside the team, the Cowboys willl likely keep some OL depth.
- OL Shiyazh Pete** – Not only did he prove he can deliver a heck of a locker room speech, Pete’s size and length are too enticing to move on from him. He can be an intriguing long-term developmental project for the Cowboys. Plus, that speech quickly made him a fan favorite.
- DT Jay Toia – The Cowboys have a lot of versatility at DT but Toia can provide solid nose tackle depth if needed.
- DT Tommy Dunn Jr.** – The rookie had a standout preseason, culminating on a big TFL on Friday night. Solid depth.
- EDGE Isaiah Land – I had Tyrus Wheat as a surprise member of my 53-man roster, so Land takes his place on the practice squad.
- LB Justin Barron – I really enjoyed Barron’s preseason and believe he can contribute on special teams. Right now, the Cowboys probably can’t make the roster math work. But expect him on the practice squad.
- LB Curtis Robinson – More of a veteran presence than Barron, the Cowboys can ensure some depth at LB here.
- CB Reddy Steward – Not sure Steward clears waivers this year. But he’s proven to be a solid backup nickelback while also playing safety.
- S Alijah Clark – More depth at safety and a potential special teams contributor.
- S Julius Wood – Wood was one of the best Cowboys players this preseason, emerging as a fan favorite. Going with six safeties on the 53 is tough though. If he clears waivers, he’s on the squad for sure.
- DT Dayo Odeleye (Internatgional Player Exemption) – The exemption allows the Cowboys to carry Odeleye as a member of the practice squad without him counting toward the 16-player limit.
