Way too early 2025 Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster projection: UDFA makes the team, draft pick is cut, surprise release at OL
After adding nine players in the 2025 NFL Draft and another nine in undrafted free agency, the Dallas Cowboys are ready for the offseason. And that means we're ready for way-too-early 53-man roster projections. The Cowboys still need to make a handful of cuts to get under the 90-man limit for the offseason but we're looking […]
After adding nine players in the 2025 NFL Draft and another nine in undrafted free agency, the Dallas Cowboys are ready for the offseason. And that means we're ready for way-too-early 53-man roster projections.
The Cowboys still need to make a handful of cuts to get under the 90-man limit for the offseason but we're looking ahead to August when they need to get under the 53-man limit.
Per the Cowboys front office, trades and signings could still be headed our way but consider this an exercise to get a preliminary feeling of what the team will like this season.
Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2025 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (2)
IN: Dak Prescott, Joe Milton
OUT: Will Grier
The Cowboys have carried three quarterbacks the last couple of years because of the contrast between Cooper Rush and Trey Lance but this time around, it makes sense to just carry Joe Milton. Grier is a strong practice squad candidate.
Running back (4)
IN: Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue*, Phil Mafah*, Hunter Luepke (FB)
OUT: Miles Sanders, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis
Deuce Vaughn has a chance to make the team, specially after the Cowboys hired former Kansas State OC/OL coach Conor Riley as offensive line coach, who is very familiar with him. But after double-dipping at the position in the NFL Draft, Vaughn will likely have to best late-round draft pick Phil Mafah. But right now, there's no other bruiser on the team, so I give the edge to the former Clemson Tiger.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer claimed Blue and Mafah have what it takes to compete for starting roles.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Ryan Flournoy, Parris Campbell
OUT: Jalen Brooks, Seth Williams, Kelvin Harmon, Jalen Cropper, Traeshon Holden**, Josh Kelly**,
The Cowboys must add someone else into the mix here but the question is who? For now, WR2 and WR3 are wide open for competition. The front office has expressed confidence on the young players who can evolve into the role. But the problem is the team needs one Week 1.
Tight end (4)
IN: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Rivaldo Fairweather**
OUT: Princeton Fant, John Stephens Jr., Tyler Neville**
A UDFA cracks the roster! In the last few years, the Cowboys have been willing to give a spot to undrafted free agent tight ends (Stephens Jr.—though he got hurt—and Brevyn Spann-Ford). This time, it's Valdo Fairweather who secures the last spot on the TE room.
"People like to call contested catch opportunities 50/50 balls, but to me, I just call it my ball," Fairweather told A to Z Sports in February. "I look at those as 100/0 [balls]. [Meaning] the DB has no chance to make a play on the ball."
Offensive line (10)
IN: Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker*, Terence Steele, Brock Hoffman, Asim Richards, Nathan Thomas, Saahdiq Charles, Ajani Cornelius*
OUT: T.J. Bass, Rob Jones, Earl Bostick Jr., Dakoda Shepley, Matt Waletzko, Jack Anderson, Hakeem Adeniji
Predicting the offensive line room involves a heavy amount of guesswork. With a new offensive coordinator and OL coach in town, I'm giving an edge to the "new guys" in this early projection. That means T.J. Bass is a surprise cut and draft pick Ajani Cornelius knocks a couple of free agent signings out of the picture.
Defensive tackle (4)
IN: Osa Odighizuwa (3T), Mazi Smith (NT), Soloman Thomas (3T), Jay Toia* (NT)
OUT: Denzel Daxon, Tommy Akingbesote*, Justin Rogers
Akingbesote is an intriguing player to watch in Oxnard. He's athletic but has a long way to go to be NFL-ready. I project him as a roster cut for now but there's a scenario where the Cowboys don't want to risk losing his athleticism. But the four players "in" are guaranteed locks. Will they carry a fifth DT?
EDGE (5)
IN: Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler Jr., Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeiruaku*, Sam Williams
OUT: Payton Turner, Tyrus Wheat, Luiji Vilain, Earnest Brown IV
EDGE rusher is suddenly looking like one of the best positions on the entire roster following the pick of Donovan Ezeiruaku. I expect Sam Williams will have to battle Payton Turner for the last spot on the team but I see him as the most talented player of the two.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, Damone Clark, Shemar James*
OUT: DeMarvion Overshown (IR/PUP), Buddy Johnson, Brock Mogensen, Darius Harris, Justin Barron**
Overshown is expected to be out until early November. Though depth at the position is decent, it's unclear who will start alongside second-year linebacker Marist Liufau? My guess is Jack Sanborn, who is familiar with Matt Eberflus' defense.
Cornerback (5)
IN: DaRon Bland, Caelen Carson, Kaiir Elam, Israel Mukuamu, Shavon Revel Jr.*
OUT: Trevon Diggs (IR/PUP), Josh Butler, Kemon Hall, Troy Pride Jr., Andrew Booth, Luq Barcoo, Bruce Harmon**
The Cowboys front office is noticeably high on Kaiir Elam. With Diggs out to start the season, there's a strong chance Revel Jr. can compete with him to start in Week 1. However, Stephon Gilmore did visit The Star last week. Will he reunite with the team?
Safety (4)
IN: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell
OUT: Zion Childress**, Alijah Clark**, Mike Smith**
Not much activity here other than a few undrafted free agent signings. But Donovan Wilson appears to have survived an offseason in which he was considered the top cap casualty candidate.
Special teams (4)
IN: Brandon Aubrey (K), Bryan Anger (P), Trent Sieg (LS), C.J. Goodwin (specialist)
OUT: N/A
With John Fassel gone, will the Cowboys keep C.J. Goodwin around? He doesn't play cornerback anymore and relies solely on special teams. But I stopped betting against him a couple of years ago.
