Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster projection ahead of training camp: Where do UFL signings stand?
I love my job. Getting to write about the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL year-round is something I never thought I'd get to do but allow me to let you in in a little secret: June can be tough for NFL content creators of any kind.There's little to talk about and little to write about […]
I love my job. Getting to write about the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL year-round is something I never thought I'd get to do but allow me to let you in in a little secret: June can be tough for NFL content creators of any kind.
There's little to talk about and little to write about yet you gotta do it. It can get tough. But when it's time to write a 53-man roster projection, all of that goes away. It's my absolute favorite offseason exercise to put together.
That being said, here's my latest edition of one, including the fates of the recent couple of signings out of the UFL.
Quarterback (2)
IN: Dak Prescott, Trey Lance
OUT: Cooper Rush
Expectations are for Trey Lance's upside to convince the Cowboys to carry him over Cooper Rush and it wouldn't be a surprise if the former plays 90% of the preseason. A lot is made about the NFL's emergency quarterback rule but the reality is it isn't valuable enough to automatically carry a third quarterback.
Running back (4)
IN: Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke (FB)
OUT: Snoop Conner, Malik Davis, Royce Freeman, Nate Peat**
One of the few things we learned in minicamp is that Deuce Vaughn is getting reps as a slot wide receiver. Is that enough to keep him on the 53? And most importantly, does that mean the Cowboys aren't sold on him as a running back just yet? It'll be a big training camp for the second-year, undersized back.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy*
OUT: David Durden, Racey McMath, Jalen Moreno-Cropper, Cam Johnson**, Corey Crooms**, Tyron Billy-Johnson
This is one of the few positions I'm truly convinced won't change a whole lot in terms of who makes it and who doesn't. But the one thing that will be exciting is the competition for WR3 as Jalen Tolbert will have to fend off the efforts of a rapidly-ascending Jalen Brooks and don't rule out sixth-round rookie Ryan Flournoy making some noise.
Tight end (4)
IN: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens Jr., Brevyn Spann-Ford**
OUT: Peyton Hendershot, Princeton Fant, Alec Holler**
The Cowboys paid big money to undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford and he's got the size of a true NFL tight end. His training camp will be all about dissipating doubts about his catching woes in college. But Hendershot has a chance, just as Fant and Holler do. Buckle up for what will be a fun competition.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Tyler Guyton*, Tyler Martin, Cooper Beebe*, Zack Martin, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Brock Hoffman, Nathan Thomas*, Asim Richards
OUT: Josh Ball, Earl Bostick Jr., Dakoda Shepley, Chuma Edoga, Matt Waletzko
There will be some tough cuts here but the Cowboys get some solid depth at every position with this group. This year is crucial for Waletzko, who the front office seems to really like but has had injuries get in the way. The fact that the Cowboys picked three rookies in the draft alone with rising second-year players on the team paint a stark outlook.
EDGE (5)
IN: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Viliami Fehoko, Marshawn Kneeland*
OUT: Tyrus Wheat, Durrell Johnson, Byron Vaughns**
Yes, I'll always list Parsons with the edge rushers. This group loses a couple of big pieces but it's time for Sam Williams to step up and he'll have some fun competition for EDGE3 with the violent and strong rookie, Marshawn Kneeland. Second-year Tyrus Wheat could be a surprise roster member after spending some time on gamedays with the team.
Defensive tackle (4)
IN: Osa Odighizuwa (3T), Mazi Smith (NT), Chauncey Golston (3T), Justin Rogers* (NT)
OUT: Carl Davis, Denzel Daxon**
This is a thin group and I'll keep arguing for the Cowboys desperately needing to pull off a trade here. Osa Odighizuwa is legitimately the only proven player on the lineup. Mazi's improvement will go a long way in determining how this defense performs in 2024.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau*, Willie Harvey Jr.
OUT: Buddy Johnson, Jason Johnson**, Brock Mogenson**
Chances are Mike Zimmer will want more linebackers on the roster than Dan Quinn did. But before the Cowboys signed All-UFL linebacker Willie Harvey Jr., it was tough to see who else could make it. Harvey Jr. is a longshot but the roster math might play in his favor to make it as a potential special teams contributor.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Caelen Carson*, Eric Scott Jr., Gareon Conley
OUT: Nahshon Wright, Josh Butler, Josh DeBerry**
Similar to Harvey Jr., I think UFL standout and former first-round NFL draft pick Gareon Conley has a chance to make it to the team for two reasons: 1) Overall lack of depth and 2) an actual shot at CB4.
Safety (4)
IN: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell
OUT: Israel Mukuamu, Sheldrick Redwine, Emany Johnson**, Julius Wood**
It pains me to cut Mukuamu in this projection as I believe it's more on the Cowboys that he's in this spot than it is on the player, as they didn't ever pick up a true role for him. According to Nick Harris from DallasCowboys.com, Mukuamu was buried with the reserve team on OTAs/minicamp. It's a prove-it year for him on a contract year. A move to cornerback could be the move with Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell establishing themselves above him at safety.
Specialists (4)
IN: Brandon Aubrey (K), Bryan Anger (P), Trent Sieg (LS), C.J. Goodwin (ace)
OUT: None
As I said on my previous roster projection, I'm done doubting C.J. Goodwin's chances at a roster spot and until proven otherwise, I think Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel makes sure he's on the roster every single year.
