Dallas Cowboys Starting Lineup (2023)
The Dallas Cowboys season kicks off on September 10th, when they face the New York Giants on Sunday night. But who will take the field as starters this year? Barring any injuries, I project the Cowboys' starting lineup to include several faces that didn't start in last year's Week 1. This time, Tony Pollard takes […]
The Dallas Cowboys season kicks off on September 10th, when they face the New York Giants on Sunday night. But who will take the field as starters this year?
Barring any injuries, I project the Cowboys' starting lineup to include several faces that didn't start in last year's Week 1.
This time, Tony Pollard takes center stage at running back following Ezekiel Elliott's release. Stephon Gilmore will be an upgrade in the secondary. And Brandin Cooks and a healthy Michael Gallup being around for Week 1 should be a major difference.
Cowboys Offense Projection
| Position | Player Name |
|---|---|
Quarterback | Dak Prescott |
Running back | Tony Pollard |
Slot WR (Y) | CeeDee Lamb |
Wide receiver (Z) | Brandin Cooks |
Wide receiver (X) | Michael Gallup |
Tight end | Jake Ferguson |
Left tackle | Tyron Smith |
Left guard | Tyler Smith |
Center | Tyler Biadasz |
Right guard | Zack Martin |
Right tackle | Terence Steele |
Notes:
- It's odd to not see Ezekiel Elliott's name written down on the team's starting lineup. But it's Pollard's Era now and he should thrive on the Cowboys' revamped outside zone scheme.
- Brandin Cooks is the biggest change on the lineup. Finally, some legit vertical speed will be available on the Cowboys' offense.
- One of the biggest questions entering the offseason was how the OL would be set up. Based on the looks shown in training camp, it's almost official: Tyron Smith is playing left tackle with Tyler Smith inside.
- At tight end, Luke Schoonmaker's missed practices with a foot injury mean Jake Ferguson has established himself as TE1.
Cowboys Defense Projection
| Position | Player Name |
|---|---|
EDGE | Micah Parsons |
Nose tackle | Johnathan Hankins |
Defensive tackle | Osa Odighizuwa |
EDGE | DeMarcus Lawrence |
Inside linebacker (Mike) | Leighton Vander Esch |
Inside linebacker | Damone Clark |
Nickel cornerback | DaRon Bland |
Cornerback | Trevon Diggs |
Cornerback | Stephon Gilmore |
Safety* | Malik Hooker |
Safety* | Donovan Wilson |
Safety* | Jayron Kearse |
Notes:
- Yes, I listed 12 starters but that's because the Cowboys use a lot of three-safety looks. Sometimes it'll be with 6 DBs on the field and sometimes it will be in Nickel (5 DB).
- The "new starters" include former DPOY Stephon Gilmore. The lineup should also feature players who didn't start in Week 1 last year like LB Damone Clark and CB DaRon Bland.
- Mazi Smith looks NFL ready but I'm still jotting down Johnathan Hankins as the starting nose tackle because his experience will likely earn him the job for Week 1.
- The beauty of Dan Quinn's defense is in its versatility, expect plenty of rotation in the front 7 as the defensive coordinator loves to use hybrid fronts with even four defensive ends in passing situations.
Breaking down Cowboys’ first depth chart of the 2023 NFL preseason
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Featured image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
