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By Calvin Watkins 1h ago
Evaluating a roster is difficult because coaches might view players differently than members of the personnel department. The Cowboys are no different. They have a talented group with a young core, but how many receivers, defensive linemen and linebackers can they keep? That is a mystery that won’t be solved until cut-down day. Several players are on the bubble, which always adds to the drama of training camp.
After a rookie minicamp, three weeks of organized team activities and a mandatory minicamp, we’ve decided to project the 53-man roster. We’ll do so a few more times this summer, especially after two weeks of training camp practices. For now, here’s our best guess at the final 53.
Quarterback
Who makes it: Mike White, Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush.
Comment: The only question is whether White can surpass Rush as the No. 2 man. Rush and White each took turns with the second-team offense during offseason workouts, but White seemed to make the better throws. The Cowboys are open to a competition between White and Rush and won’t publicly say if changes are forthcoming. Prescott had his best offseason and displayed improved footwork and accuracy.
Running back
Who makes it: Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Mike Weber Jr., and Jamize Olawale.
Comment: The Cowboys plan to use Pollard and Weber in different ways within the offense. Pollard has showcased himself with the ability to catch passes out of the backfield and run jet sweeps. Running backs coach Gary Brown said Pollard is running well between the tackles and liked how he’s doing in blitz pickup. Weber is a more traditional back, and he’s running with speed and showing some physicality. Darius Jackson enters his fourth year on the bubble and hasn’t done anything wrong to keep him off the team. But Pollard and Weber are ahead of him.
Wide receiver
Who makes it: Reggie Davis, Michael Gallup, Randall Cobb, Amari Cooper, Jon’vea Johnson and Noah Brown.
Comment: Tavon Austin and Allen Hurns have the experience but, as of now, nobody would be surprised if the Cowboys go with younger talent. Johnson was getting run with the twos in the mandatory minicamp while Davis made numerous plays in traffic and was able to beat defenders deep. Davis’ ability to return punts gives him an edge to make the roster. Hurns is coming off a broken ankle but is running routes. His contract will need to be adjusted, as the Cowboys are not willing to pay him a base salary of $4 million.
Tight end
Who makes it: Jason Witten, Dalton Schultz and Blake Jarwin
Comment: Some might say Witten is a progress stopper for the younger tight ends on the roster. Then again, none of the tight ends behind Witten have established themselves. Rico Gathers hopes to make the roster, but he’s been suspended for Week 1 because of his arrest last spring. Gathers was on the bubble anyway, and he’ll have to beat out Schultz to make the final 53.
Offensive line
Who makes it: Connor Williams, Connor McGovern, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, Travis Frederick, Joe Looney, Cameron Fleming, Xavier Su’a-Filo and Tyron Smith.
Comment: At some point, Williams will move to right tackle, but for now he’s still a guard and has taken a majority of the snaps ahead of Su’a-Filo on the left side. McGovern, the third-round pick, is still working on his technique at guard. He has the size but just needs to play with a little more power. Undrafted free agent tackle Mitch Hyatt is on the bubble with Jake Campos at one of the tackle spots. The Cowboys value Hyatt but might stash him on the practice squad.
Defensive line
Who makes it: Kerry Hyder, Joe Jackson, Robert Quinn, Jalen Jelks, Trysten Hill, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Daniel Ross, Maliek Collins, Tyrone Crawford and Antwaun Woods.
Comment: We expect plenty of maneuvering with this group in training camp. Taco Charlton doesn’t make the roster in this projection. Quinn is clearly a better player, and the Cowboys have placed a great deal of value on Jackson, Hyder and Jelks right now. If Lawrence hasn’t recovered from shoulder surgery in time to play, maybe Charlton can sneak on the 53 to provide more depth. Maybe. Daniel Wise is fighting for a roster spot, but will need to outperform a veteran.
Linebackers
Who makes it: Joe Thomas, Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch and Chris Covington.
Comment: This is a light group, with the Cowboys utilizing a nickel package a majority of the time. Justin March-Lillard and Andrew Dowell made some plays in the offseason but remain on the bubble. Expect only five players at this spot.
Defensive backs
Who makes it: Chidobe Awuzie, Xavier Woods, Jourdan Lewis, Anthony Brown, Byron Jones, Mike Jackson Sr., Kavon Frazier, Donovan Wilson and Jeff Heath.
Comment: George Iloka was the big free-agent pickup at safety, yet remains behind Heath on the depth chart at strong safety. Rod Marinelli said once the pads come on, Iloka will make plays. Ok. During the offseason, he was beaten deep by speed receivers and wasn’t around the ball much. There is some interest in free agent safety Eric Berry, but the Cowboys will only go down that path if something happens to Heath. Donovan Olumba made plays in the offseason, but the numbers game might keep him off the 53. Practice squad, perhaps?
Specialists
Who makes it: Brett Maher, Chris Jones and LP Ladouceur
Comment: After what happened to Dan Bailey, we’re a little shell shocked when it comes to this group. This year, Jones might be the one on the bubble. After five consecutive seasons averaging at least 45 yards per punt, Jones finished 26th in punting average last season at 44.5, and his two-season total is down to 44.3. The Cowboys brought in Kasey Redfern to compete with him. So far, Jones still has the inside track.
By Calvin Watkins 1h ago
Evaluating a roster is difficult because coaches might view players differently than members of the personnel department. The Cowboys are no different. They have a talented group with a young core, but how many receivers, defensive linemen and linebackers can they keep? That is a mystery that won’t be solved until cut-down day. Several players are on the bubble, which always adds to the drama of training camp.
After a rookie minicamp, three weeks of organized team activities and a mandatory minicamp, we’ve decided to project the 53-man roster. We’ll do so a few more times this summer, especially after two weeks of training camp practices. For now, here’s our best guess at the final 53.
Quarterback
Who makes it: Mike White, Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush.
Comment: The only question is whether White can surpass Rush as the No. 2 man. Rush and White each took turns with the second-team offense during offseason workouts, but White seemed to make the better throws. The Cowboys are open to a competition between White and Rush and won’t publicly say if changes are forthcoming. Prescott had his best offseason and displayed improved footwork and accuracy.
Running back
Who makes it: Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Mike Weber Jr., and Jamize Olawale.
Comment: The Cowboys plan to use Pollard and Weber in different ways within the offense. Pollard has showcased himself with the ability to catch passes out of the backfield and run jet sweeps. Running backs coach Gary Brown said Pollard is running well between the tackles and liked how he’s doing in blitz pickup. Weber is a more traditional back, and he’s running with speed and showing some physicality. Darius Jackson enters his fourth year on the bubble and hasn’t done anything wrong to keep him off the team. But Pollard and Weber are ahead of him.
Wide receiver
Who makes it: Reggie Davis, Michael Gallup, Randall Cobb, Amari Cooper, Jon’vea Johnson and Noah Brown.
Comment: Tavon Austin and Allen Hurns have the experience but, as of now, nobody would be surprised if the Cowboys go with younger talent. Johnson was getting run with the twos in the mandatory minicamp while Davis made numerous plays in traffic and was able to beat defenders deep. Davis’ ability to return punts gives him an edge to make the roster. Hurns is coming off a broken ankle but is running routes. His contract will need to be adjusted, as the Cowboys are not willing to pay him a base salary of $4 million.
Tight end
Who makes it: Jason Witten, Dalton Schultz and Blake Jarwin
Comment: Some might say Witten is a progress stopper for the younger tight ends on the roster. Then again, none of the tight ends behind Witten have established themselves. Rico Gathers hopes to make the roster, but he’s been suspended for Week 1 because of his arrest last spring. Gathers was on the bubble anyway, and he’ll have to beat out Schultz to make the final 53.
Offensive line
Who makes it: Connor Williams, Connor McGovern, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, Travis Frederick, Joe Looney, Cameron Fleming, Xavier Su’a-Filo and Tyron Smith.
Comment: At some point, Williams will move to right tackle, but for now he’s still a guard and has taken a majority of the snaps ahead of Su’a-Filo on the left side. McGovern, the third-round pick, is still working on his technique at guard. He has the size but just needs to play with a little more power. Undrafted free agent tackle Mitch Hyatt is on the bubble with Jake Campos at one of the tackle spots. The Cowboys value Hyatt but might stash him on the practice squad.
Defensive line
Who makes it: Kerry Hyder, Joe Jackson, Robert Quinn, Jalen Jelks, Trysten Hill, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Daniel Ross, Maliek Collins, Tyrone Crawford and Antwaun Woods.
Comment: We expect plenty of maneuvering with this group in training camp. Taco Charlton doesn’t make the roster in this projection. Quinn is clearly a better player, and the Cowboys have placed a great deal of value on Jackson, Hyder and Jelks right now. If Lawrence hasn’t recovered from shoulder surgery in time to play, maybe Charlton can sneak on the 53 to provide more depth. Maybe. Daniel Wise is fighting for a roster spot, but will need to outperform a veteran.
Linebackers
Who makes it: Joe Thomas, Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch and Chris Covington.
Comment: This is a light group, with the Cowboys utilizing a nickel package a majority of the time. Justin March-Lillard and Andrew Dowell made some plays in the offseason but remain on the bubble. Expect only five players at this spot.
Defensive backs
Who makes it: Chidobe Awuzie, Xavier Woods, Jourdan Lewis, Anthony Brown, Byron Jones, Mike Jackson Sr., Kavon Frazier, Donovan Wilson and Jeff Heath.
Comment: George Iloka was the big free-agent pickup at safety, yet remains behind Heath on the depth chart at strong safety. Rod Marinelli said once the pads come on, Iloka will make plays. Ok. During the offseason, he was beaten deep by speed receivers and wasn’t around the ball much. There is some interest in free agent safety Eric Berry, but the Cowboys will only go down that path if something happens to Heath. Donovan Olumba made plays in the offseason, but the numbers game might keep him off the 53. Practice squad, perhaps?
Specialists
Who makes it: Brett Maher, Chris Jones and LP Ladouceur
Comment: After what happened to Dan Bailey, we’re a little shell shocked when it comes to this group. This year, Jones might be the one on the bubble. After five consecutive seasons averaging at least 45 yards per punt, Jones finished 26th in punting average last season at 44.5, and his two-season total is down to 44.3. The Cowboys brought in Kasey Redfern to compete with him. So far, Jones still has the inside track.
