Now that the Dallas Cowboys have made their seven picks at the 2026 NFL Draft and signed most of their UDFA class, if not all of it, it’s time to start thinking about the 53-man roster.

Obviously, it’s too early to consider it an accurate prediction, but these are my educated guesses at who will be on the 53 and who will be left out.

Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.

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Quarterback (2)

IN: Dak Prescott, Sam Howell
OUT: Joe Milton

It’s too early to call the quarterback battle but I don’t see the Cowboys carrying three on the 53. Milton has a clear edge with one year operating Brian Schottenheimer’s offense but his accuracy woes are a problem, which probably led to Howell’s signing.

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Running back (4)

IN: Javonte Williams, Hunter Luepke (FB), Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah
OUT: Malik Davis, Israel Abanikanda, Dominic Richardson**

Malik Davis is a tough cut, I know. But the Cowboys appear to be high on Phil Mafah, who was described as a potential starter by Schottenheimer since last year but was hindered by a shoulder injury. I have questions about their view of Jaydon Blue, but I struggle to see him being cut.

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Wide receiver (6)

IN: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Jordan Hudson**
OUT: Parris Campbell, Traeshon Holden, Anthony Smith*, Camden Brown**

As usual, this position group is going to be tough to predict at the bottom of the depth chart. Lamb, Pickens, Flournoy, and Turpin are locks. Mingo and undrafted free agent Jordan Hudson get the other nods from me. Hudson appears more pro-ready than seventh-round pick Anthony Smith.

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Tight end (4)

IN: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Michael Trigg**
OUT: Princeton Fant, DJ Rogers**

Two things I think I think about the tight end room: I see Brevyn Spann-Ford emerging as TE2 over Luke Schoonmaker, and give me Michael Trigg making the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie. He’s got serious potential to become a red zone threat and the Cowboys are paying him $200,000 in guaranteed money.

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Offensive line (10)

IN: Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Ajani Cornelius, Nate Thomas, Matt Hennessy, Drew Shelton*
OUT: Marcellus Johnson, Nick Leverett, Trevor Keegan, Sidney Fugar**, Shiyazh Pete**

Another position that’s always tough to predict, this is a solid combination of interior and tackle depth. Things could change drastically depending on what the plan ends up being for All-Pro guard Tyler Smith, who could be the team’s Plan B at tackle if Tyler Guyton doesn’t take a third-year jump.

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EDGE / Outside linebacker (5)

IN: Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence*, LT Overton*, Sam Williams
OUT: James Houston, Isaiah Land, Tyrus Wheat, Marist Liufau

I could see Williams being challenged by James Houston or Isaiah Land, but he gets the fifth spot for now. I expect Overton to move inside from time to time. ILB Jaishawn Barham will also be an indirect part of this group but he’s not listed in this group.

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Defensive tackle (4)

IN: Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard
OUT: Adeyayo Odeleye, Jay Toia, Kevin Gilliam**, Tommy Dunn Jr.**

The Cowboys seemingly plan to use fourth-round pick LT Overton as depth at three-technique but they also made additions in free agency that will shape the room. No Osa Odighizuwa hurts here, but the Clark-Williams combo makes this position one of the strongest ones on the team.

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Inside linebacker (4)

IN: DeMarvion Overshown, Jaishawn Barham*, Shemar James, Dee Winters
OUT: Justin Barron, Langston Patterson**

The Cowboys still need a proven middle linebacker and I expect them to add one soon. For now, the group is much improved by the arrival via trade of Dee Winters, who started 17 games for the San Francisco 49ers last year.

Though Barham was viewed as an edge rusher pre-draft, the Cowboys plan to test him here first.

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Cornerback (6)

IN: DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel Jr., Devin Moore*, Reddy Steward, Derion Kendrick
OUT: Trikweze Bridges, Caelen Carson, Josh Butler, Zion Childress, Corey Ballentine

The Christian Parker regime already has witnessed the arrival of many cornerbacks and I think it’s safe to assume they’ll push guys from previous coaching regimes off the roster. One exception may be Reddy Steward, who has provided quality play at nickel and could be very solid depth.

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Safety (5)

IN: Caleb Downs*, Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker, P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell
OUT: Julius Wood, Alijah Clark

Downs is starting out at nickel but his best case scenario is being able to move around and do a little bit of everything. Alijah Clark is a serious 53-man roster candidate but I’ve got him out in this projection as one of the toughest cuts.

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Specialists (3)

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

No surprises here, except that it’s nice to list Aubrey knowing his long-term future in Dallas is secured.