Now that the Dallas Cowboys preseason has come to an end, it's time to turn our attention to Tuesday's cutdown day. Every NFL team must comply by cutting down their rosters to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. 

For a team as deep as the Cowboys, that's easier said than done. Positions like running back, edge rusher, and cornerback are bound to feature some tough cuts, and some of these calls will be nightmares for the coaches. 

Below is my final prediction of the Cowboys 53-man roster ahead of the 2023 regular season. Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2023 undrafted free agents.

Disclaimer: There is a high chance that the Cowboys pull off some "roster gymnastics" moves like having players start off the roster in the practice squad only to be called up for gameday for a couple of weeks and eventually signed to the 53 as injuries happen. There are not a whole lot of ways to predict those other than through guessing, so this article won't have a ton of those predictions in it.

Another disclaimer: It's incredibly tough to put together a roster projection and yes, I'm glad I'm not a coach making these calls. I know this final prediction will have multiple mistakes but let's get to my educated guess about what things will look like when it's all said and done.

Quarterback (3)

IN: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
OUT: Will Grier

Lance's arrival in Dallas was a shocking one. It forces the Cowboys to carry three quarterbacks as he's definitely not ready to be the backup in an offense he doesn't know. There will be patience with him. But make no mistake about it, this is Dak's team. 

Running Back (3)

IN: Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn*
OUT: Ronald Jones, Malik Davis, Hunter Luepke**

It breaks my heart to not include Luepke after a crazy, 118-yard performance vs. the Raiders but I just don't know how you can make that work with the numbers game behind a 53-man roster. I believe the Cowboys can sneak him into the practice squad to start the year. It's tough to carry four running backs and four tight ends and I believe the Cowboys will prefer the latter.

Wide Receiver (6)

IN: CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks*
OUT: Simi Fehoko, Dennis Houston, Dontario Drummond, David Durden**, Jalen Moreno-Cropper**, Jose Barbon**. Tyron Johnson

Not much of a surprise here. Perhaps the Cowboys would feel comfortable carrying five here if they believe a sixth receiver isn't necessary but I won't bet on it in an 11 personnel league. The seventh-round rookie cashes in on a strong training camp.

Tight End (4)

IN: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker*, Peyton Hendershot, Sean McKeon
OUT: Seth Green, Princeton Fant**, John Stephens** (IR bound)

McKeon could lose his roster spot to Luepke but I believe the Cowboys like the tight end. The rookie running back had his moment in the preseason but McKeon has been getting reps with the first and second team. I'd be surprised if he's cut. 

Offensive line (9)

IN: Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, Terence Steele, Matt Waletzko, Asim Richards*, Matt Farniok, T.J. Bass**
OUT: Chuma Edoga, Alex Taylor, Brock Hoffman, Earl Bostick**, Josh Ball, Alec Lindstrom, Alex Taylor

Ball was a riser in my eyes this offseason but after exiting the game with a hip injury on Saturday, the Cowboys could have him start the year in PUP. In turn, this would give them the chance to carry rookie UDFA T.J. Bass on the 53-man roster. He was a preseason standout and could be the swing guard for Dallas.

Asim Richards has been a surprise this preseason as the fifth-rounder could very well battle to be the backup/swing tackle.

EDGE rushers (6)

IN: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, Viliami Fehoko*
OUT: Durrell Johnson**, Tyrus Wheat**, Ben Banogu. Isaiah Land**

I previously expected Land to make the 53-man roster but the Cowboys would need to go extremely long at edge rusher to make that happen. Carrying a third quarterback complicates that very much. So I've got the Cowboys trying to sneak him into the practice squad.

Defensive tackle (4)

IN: Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith*, Chauncey Golston, Johnathan Hankins
OUT: Isaac Alarcón, Quinton Bohanna, Neville Gallimore

I can see Bohanna making it but I've got the Cowboys going short at defensive tackle thanks to the edge rushers being versatile enough to provide help inside. Dan Quinn hasn't shied away from that at all in the last two years and I don't see that changing in 2023. 

Linebacker (4)

IN: Leighton Vander Esch, Damone Clark, Devin Harper, Jabril Cox
OUT: DeMarvion Overshown* (IR bound), Malik Jefferson

Safety Markquese Bell is bound to help out here. I don't believe Cox's job is safe at all and he could be a surprise roster cut by the time Tuesday comes around. This could be the top position the Cowboys look at for outside help in the next few days.

Cornerback (5)

IN: Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmore, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Kelvin Joseph
OUT: Nahshon Wright, Eric Scott Jr.*, Myles Brooks**, D'Angelo Mandell**, C.J. Goodwin

Perhaps Lewis could start the year in PUP (he has yet to practice this year) but I will refrain from speculating on it until it happens. That could help get rookie Scott Jr. on the roster. He's not ready and I could see him clearing waivers and getting to the practice squad. 

I'm done doubting Goodwin's prospects of making the team. He's a special teams ace and the Cowboys need him around. I see him being cut and signed to the practice squad and called up immediately. One of the few players I'm willing to speculate like that. 

Safety (6)

IN: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse, Israel Mukuamu, Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas
OUT: Tyler Coyle, Sheldrick Redwine

This is a key unit as the Cowboys will frequently use three-safety looks. Bell is bound to help out at linebacker and Mukuamu also provides CB depth. Carrying six safeties makes sense because they're not only safeties. Thomas is expected by insiders to make it and seeing him thrive in coverage explains why.

Special Teams (3)

IN: Bryan Anger (P), Brandon Aubrey (K), Trent Sieg (LS)
OUT:

Aubrey nailed a 59-yard attempt on Saturday. He's the Cowboys' guy… for now.

Cowboys 2023 Roster Cuts Tracker

The Cowboys’ preseason is officially over, which means roster cuts are right around the corner. Keep up with everything, here.

Featured image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports