Predicting the Dallas Cowboys’ 17-man practice squad following preseason finale, including rookie standouts who shone vs Falcons
It’s not only 53-man roster projection season.
If you watched the entirety of the Dallas Cowboys’ preseason finale—a game in which the club sat 41 of its 91 players—it’s safe to say you’re a football sicko. And you know what football sickos do?
Not only do they consume 53-man roster predictions as soon as the game ends to pin down what the tough decisions will be, but they wonder about the practice squad. That’s right, we’re projecting what that will look like ahead of cutdown day on Tuesday.
By Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. ET, the Cowboys will need to trim the roster from 91 players to 53. Following that, they’ll have 16 spots to fill in the practice squad plus one more assuming they carry a player with an international roster exemption, which I expect them to do with Denzel Daxon. Without any further ado, below are my 17 practice squad predictions as well as some thoughts for each.
17 predictions for the Cowboys’ practice squad?
Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2025 undrafted free agents.
- DB Alijah Clark** – The Cowboys’ UDFA with the highest-guaranteed money on the team was Clark with $259,000. He showed why in the preseason finale by making quality open field tackles and showing off his athleticism.
- WR Traeshon Holden** – The undrafted rookie wide receiver looked promising in limited playing time but I don’t view him sticking around on the 53-man roster. Despite fan concerns, it’s safe to assume he’ll clear waivers given he was guaranteed only $3,000 as a UDFA.
- RB Deuce Vaughn – Vaughn could land a job on another team but if not I’d expect the Cowboys to target him for practice squad depth.
- LB Justin Barron** – At Syracuse, Barron was a special teams ace. That’s enough to make him stick around while having upside at linebacker.
- DT Tommy Akingbesote* – Don’t be surprised if Akingbesote is a gameday elevation as a rookie but I don’t see the seventh-rounder making the 53.
- DE Tyrus Wheat – Some depth at the position is always appreciated and Wheat had some flashes in the preseason. Formerly seen as a LB/DE, it looks like he’s now a full-time defensive end.
- CB Kemon Hall – Hall has a legit chance of making the roster but I had UDFA Zion Childress over him. He could be the backup nickel
- LB Darius Harris – Harris provides special teams and defensive depth.
- TE Rivaldo Fairweather** – The big-sized tight end out of Auburn had big moments in the preseason, including impressive one-on-one catches over defenders. It won’t be easy for him to make the 53-man roster but he’s a promising project with upside.
- WR Jalen Cropper – If the Cowboys go long at WR, Cropper might make the roster.
- OL La’el Collins – Collins provides guard-tackle flexibility and chances are he won’t be landing a roster spot anywhere else so I’ll pencil him in for the practice squad.
- TE Princeton Fant – The Cowboys like Fant as a blocker and he has even played FB snaps in the past.
- DT Earnest Brown IV – Quietly but surely, Brown IV had flashes of quality play in the preseason. Maybe not enough for a roster spot but enough to stay on the team as depth in a position the team needs it the most.
- CB Andrew Booth – I might be wrong on Booth and the Cowboys might keep him on the 53. But in my projection, he stays as CB depth.
- Ajani Cornelius* – The sixth-round rookie looked good in pass protection and though he could be claimed off waivers, he’ll be on the squad if he clears.
- DB Mike Smith – One more UDFA for depth in a spot the Cowboys badly need it.
- NT Denzel Daxon (International Player exemption) – Daxon doesn’t count toward the 16-player limit, so it’s almost a guarantee he stays on.
Dallas Cowboys News
Cowboys 53-man roster prediction: End of the road for former first-rounder, RB battle defined, plus the Phil Mafah decision
The Cowboys preseason is over.
