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By Jon Machota
2h ago
The Cowboys still have two weeks before they need to have their current 85-man roster trimmed to 53. But after having watched nearly three weeks of training camp practices and the team’s first preseason game, we’re making an early projection.
Quarterback (2)
Dak Prescott
Cooper Rush
Will Grier was having a strong camp before injuring his groin. It’s still yet to be determined if he’ll be able to practice this week or play in Saturday’s second preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Rush didn’t exactly help his case to be Prescott’s backup with his showing against the Denver Broncos. He completed 12-of-20 passes for only 84 yards and an interception, posting a 48.8 passer rating. Grier has certainly closed in on an opportunity to win the backup job. But if it’s close, the edge should go to Rush, who delivered last season when needed.
Running back (3)
Ezekiel Elliott
Tony Pollard
Rico Dowdle
The Cowboys only had two running backs on the initial 53 last season, Elliott and Pollard. Undrafted rookie Malik Davis and fullback Ryan Nall are the other two to keep an eye on here. Both could certainly end up being on the active roster. Dowdle would’ve been the No. 3 back last year if not for a hip injury suffered in the preseason.
Rico Dowdle (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today)
Wide receiver (8)
CeeDee Lamb
Jalen Tolbert
Noah Brown
Simi Fehoko
Dennis Houston
KaVontae Turpin
Michael Gallup
James Washington
Yes, eight. But that’s just to get through the initial cuts. Gallup (knee) would prefer to not start the season on the physically unable to perform list, which would force him to miss the first four games. The season opener is out of the question, but maybe Gallup can get back by Week 3. Washington (foot) will be moved to injured reserve, but he has to be on the initial 53 so he can return later in the season. Lamb, Tolbert, Brown, Fehoko and Houston will all be needed without Gallup early. Turpin is the obvious choice to handle kicks and punts, jobs that Pollard and Lamb no longer need to be handling because of their importance on offense. And Turpin can bring something to the offense as well. Washington’s move to IR will open up a spot for another offensive lineman, like a veteran swing tackle not currently on the roster.
Tight end (3)
Dalton Schultz
Sean McKeon
Jake Ferguson
This is the same number the Cowboys had on their initial 53 last year (Blake Jarwin, Schultz and McKeon). Undrafted rookie Peyton Hendershot and veteran Jeremy Sprinkle are on the bubble. It shouldn’t surprise you if either end up on the active roster. The Cowboys like what they’ve seen from Hendershot and Sprinkle played in all 17 games last season.
Offensive line (9)
Tyron Smith, LT
Tyler Smith, LG
Tyler Biadasz, C
Zack Martin, RG
Terence Steele, RT
Connor McGovern, OG
Josh Ball, OT
Matt Farniok, OG/C
Matt Waletzko, OT
Yes, this is pretty thin, but it’s only temporary. They are expected to be around 10 offensive linemen to open the season. Waletzko is likely going to need shoulder surgery, which would put him on the injured reserve. Aviante Collins is a possibility as he’s the next tackle up on the current roster. Adding a veteran via trade or free agency seems like an obvious move to gain depth at tackle.
Defensive line (10)
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE
Dorance Armstrong, DE
Dante Fowler, DE
Sam Williams, DE
Chauncey Golston, DE/DT
Osa Odighizuwa, DT
Neville Gallimore, DT
Trysten Hill, DT
Quinton Bohanna, DT
John Ridgeway, DT
DE Tarell Basham and DT Carlos Watkins were the final two cuts. Mike McCarthy has often talked this offseason about Dallas being a draft and develop team, which means don’t be surprised if they favor keeping some youngsters over veterans on their final 53. The Cowboys legitimately have at least 12 defensive linemen worthy of a roster spot, which is the number they kept on their initial 53 last year. Undrafted rookie DE Mika Tafua is a dark horse possibility to make the cut.
Linebacker (5)
Micah Parsons
Anthony Barr
Leighton Vander Esch
Jabril Cox
Devin Harper
The final spot could come down to picking between Harper and Luke Gifford. But it’s certainly possible that the Cowboys go six here and keep both for special teams purposes. Rookie Damone Clark (neck) is someone the Cowboys think could help them later in the year. He’s on the active non-football injury list and is expected to be moved to the reserve NFI, which doesn’t count against the 53.
Defensive back (11)
Trevon Diggs, CB
Anthony Brown, CB
Jourdan Lewis, CB
DaRon Bland, CB
Kelvin Joseph, CB
Nahshon Wright, CB
Jayron Kearse, S
Malik Hooker, S
Donovan Wilson, S
Israel Mukuamu, S
Markquese Bell, S
Keeping these 11 wasn’t difficult. But having to trim it down one or two more wouldn’t be easy. The Cowboys really like what they’ve seen from Bell, an undrafted rookie. Going to 10 would come down to him or Mukuamu for the final safety spot. It doesn’t seem like Dallas wants to move on from either. This is the deepest the Cowboys secondary has been in a long time.
Special Teams (2)
Brett Maher, K
Bryan Anger, P
Like last season, special teams ace C.J. Goodwin and long snapper Jake McQuaide were not part of the initial 53. Greg Zuerlein and Anger were the only two representing the special teams. But look for Goodwin and McQuaide both to be added back after initial cuts. The kicking competition will continue this week with Maher and Lirim Hajrullahu expected to get an even number of reps in practice and in Saturday night’s game against the Chargers. It’s pretty much a coin flip to project who the Cowboys kicker will be at this point.
