With one week of NFL free agency in the books, the Dallas Cowboys have a foundation of what their roster will look like in the 2026 regular season.

And though a lot more is yet to come, including April’s draft, it’s never too early to get to know their roster a little better. That’s why today we’re doing an (extremely) way-too-early 53-man roster projection.

Quarterback (3)

IN: Dak Prescott, Joe Milton, Sam Howell
OUT: N/A

In the end, I believe it will be only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster: Prescott and whoever wins the QB2 battle between Milton and Howell. If I had to make an early bet, I’d go with Howell simply because of Milton’s accuracy struggles last year. But this is going to be a fun battle in training camp.

Running back (4)

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

Williams will be the workhorse of the Cowboys offense but I wonder if Blue can finally earn a consistent role in his second year in the NFL. He shockingly was a healthy scratch most of the year but had a strong season finale versus the New York Giants.

Wide receiver (6)

IN: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Traeshon Holden
OUT: Parris Campbell

If I had to list the biggest strengths of the 2026 Cowboys, I would likely start with the wide receiver group. We know how dominant Lamb and Pickens were last year, but Flournoy is also emerging as a very solid No. 3. The last few spots will be determined by special teams contribution.

Tight end (4)

IN: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Princeton Fant
OUT: N/A

I fully expect Spann-Ford to be a challenger for the TE2 title over Schoonmaker, but I wonder if the Cowboys invest a late-round pick at the position. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams are likely to emphasize multiple tight end sets this season.

Offensive line (10)

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

Watch out for T.J. Bass, who received the second-round tender for $5.8 million. With uncertainty at tackle, he could very well start at left guard if the Cowboys decide to slide Tyler Smith to left tackle. This is a solid group on the interior but serious questions remain on the edges.

EDGE / Outside linebacker (5)

IN: Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Sam Williams, James Houston, Isaiah Land
OUT: Tyrus Wheat, Marist Liufau

This can be a very solid group if Ezeiruaku makes a big second-year jump. Sam Williams could find his best football on Christian Parker’s scheme, which is expected to ask outside linebackers to do a little bit of everything to keep offenses guessing.

Liufau is moving to outside linebacker and Parker sounds bullish on his chances, but I have to see it to believe it.

Defensive tackle (4)

IN: Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, Otito Ogbonnia, Jay Toia
OUT: Adeyayo Odeleye

I don’t think the Cowboys are done at defensive tackle. Dealing away Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas last week was a major blow to the position’s depth and I expect them to search for a scheme fit to back up Clark and Williams.

Inside linebacker (3)

IN: DeMarvion Overshown, Justin Barron, Shemar James
OUT: N/A

This position won’t look like this when the season starts but there are literally no other options to choose from. The Cowboys are likely using one of their first-round picks here but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a move for a veteran before that, too.

Cornerback (6)

IN: DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel Jr., Reddy Steward, Caelen Carson, Josh Butler
OUT: Trikweze Bridges

Durant or Bland are good options to man the slot, but I expect the latter to take on the role. Durant’s best football has come starting outside over the last couple of years. There’s room for an upgrade here but Durant gives Dallas a viable group of three starters as long as Bland is healthy.

Safety (5)

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

Going with five safeties will be rough in September but the Cowboys have a deep group. Look for Markquese Bell to be a “big nickel” candidate for Dallas.

Specialists (3)

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

No surprises here other than specialist C.J. Goodwin potentially being out of the picture for the first time in years. We’ll see.