Cowboys: 16-man practice squad prediction entering 2023 NFL season
The Dallas Cowboys are hours away from cutting down their roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. Once that's done, the front office and coaching staff will move on to building the 16-man practice squad, a critical part of any NFL team. Below is my prediction for the Cowboys' practice squad once the […]
The Dallas Cowboys are hours away from cutting down their roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. Once that's done, the front office and coaching staff will move on to building the 16-man practice squad, a critical part of any NFL team.
Below is my prediction for the Cowboys' practice squad once the roster is set, and it goes hand in hand with my final 53-man roster prediction from Sunday. Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2023 undrafted free agents.
Who do I believe will be on the 16-man Cowboys practice squad after the active roster is set?
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
Isaac Alarcón | Defensive Line |
Earl Bostick** | Offensive Line |
Hunter Luepke** | Running Back |
Quinton Bohanna | Defensive Line |
Tyrus Wheat** | EDGE/LB |
Isaiah Land** | EDGE |
Malik Jefferson | Linebacker |
Eric Scott Jr.* | Cornerback |
Myles Brooks** | Cornerback |
C.J. Goodwin | Cornerback |
Jalen Moreno-Cropper | Wide Receiver |
Dontario Drummond | Wide Receiver |
Princeton Fant | Tight End |
Chuma Edoga | Offensive Line |
Brock Hoffman | Offensive Line |
Tyler Coyle | Safety |
Notes on key predictions:
- Isaac Alarcón makes my prediction purely based on his upside. He's still learning to play defensive tackle after playing offensive line for his first three years with the Cowboys (and during his collegiate career in Mexico). Bringing him back for a fourth year, and testing him out at a new position despite his international player status is a huge testament that the Cowboys do believe in his potential as a freakish athlete. I expect him to make the squad.
- Hunter Luepke and Isaiah Land are two undrafted free agents who played so well in the preseason that many Cowboys fans assume they won't make it through waivers if cut. It feels like we believe that is the case every year. But every NFL team has that guy and for the most part, they end up clearing waivers.
- Eric Scott Jr. is surely a tough cut from the 53-man roster. Many fairly point out the Cowboys traded up to get him. But I believe Scott Jr. needs some time and it's tough to make him fit into the roster with so many cornerbacks worthy of a place on the team.
- C.J. Goodwin is on the practice squad but make no mistake about it: He'll be on the roster for gameday. He's just a veteran the team can easily cut-and-sign for roster gymnastics purposes.
- The Cowboys are likely carrying at least two wideouts on the practice squad and in this case, I went with Drummond and Moreno-Cropper but Simi Fehoko and Dennis Houston could also make their cases for the unit. It's tough to predict who makes it. In this scenario, Jalen Brooks made the 53-man roster under my prediction.
- Chuma Edoga is a PUP/IR candidate entering the year but he's a swing tackle/guard the Cowboys could use in a pinch. I've got him as a practice squad member because he has a lot of versatility even if you don't want him on the field ideally.
- Earl Bostick is 100% making it after being one of the Cowboys' most expensive signings in undrafted free agency. Speaking of, Tyrus Wheat makes it as a hybrid EDGE/linebacker Dan Quinn could use in the future.
If I've learned one thing putting roster projections over the years is that they're tough to get right. But honestly, a practice squad prediction is crazy work. Think of this as a fun exercise to know which players we should closely monitor and an educated guess of who the coaching staff seems to like.
Cowboys 53-man roster projection entering 2023 NFL preseason finale
It’s one of the best teams they’ve had in years.
Featured image via Kirby Lee – USA Today
