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By Jon Machota 3h ago
There are still more than three months before the Cowboys have to trim their roster to 53 players. However, we have a slightly better idea of what that roster could look like after free agency, the draft and rookie minicamp. So we’re going to take an educated guess.
We have a general idea of the number of players the Cowboys will keep at each position when their 53-man roster is set in early September.
It’ll likely be similar to last year, when Dallas’ initial 53-man roster included three quarterbacks, three running backs, four tight ends, six wide receivers, 10 offensive linemen, 10 defensive linemen, five linebackers, nine defensive backs and three on special teams.
The year before that, the Cowboys initially kept two quarterbacks, three running backs, three tight ends, five wide receivers, 11 offensive linemen, 10 defensive linemen, six linebackers, 10 defensive backs and three on special teams.
So we’re using those numbers as a template in our way-too-early projection on how the roster could look to start the season.
Quarterback (2)
Dak Prescott
Garrett Gilbert
As the roster currently sits, Ben DiNucci and Cooper Rush will be competing with Gilbert for the backup job during training camp and the preseason. There’s also the possibility that the Cowboys add a veteran backup not on a roster or one who ends up being released between now and Week 1. Veteran free-agent quarterback Brett Hundley is scheduled to visit Dallas this week, according to an ESPN report. The Packers drafted Hundley in the fifth round in 2015 when Mike McCarthy was their head coach. Hundley started nine games in 2017, going 3-6 while throwing nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Either way, Dallas’ success depends on Prescott. This team isn’t going anywhere without its franchise quarterback healthy and playing well. McCarthy said Saturday that he expects Prescott (ankle) to do “most of the work” in organized team activities and then be a full participant at the start of training camp.
Running back (3)
Ezekiel Elliott
Tony Pollard
Rico Dowdle
Same group as last year. Elliott and Pollard are locked in as the No. 1 and No. 2 backs. The No. 3 spot will likely come down to Dowdle, who carried seven times for 24 yards during his rookie season, or undrafted rookie free-agents Brenden Knox (Marshall) or JaQuan Hardy (Tiffin). Dallas could also decide to keep a fullback. The two on the current roster are Sewo Olonilua, who spent most of last season on the practice squad and undrafted rookie free-agent Nick Ralston (Louisiana).
Wide receiver (6)
Amari Cooper
Michael Gallup
CeeDee Lamb
Cedrick Wilson
Noah Brown
Simi Fehoko
The first three have a chance to be the league’s best trio. Despite Prescott missing 11 games, those three combined for 2,892 receiving yards. Wilson and Brown are key veterans who are comfortable in the offense and contribute significantly on special teams. Lamb is expected to continue being the team’s punt returner, but Wilson can also help there. The 6-foot-3 Fehoko gives the group size on the outside.
Simi Fehoko (Darren Yamashita / USA Today)
Tight end (3)
Blake Jarwin
Dalton Schultz
Jeremy Sprinkle
As long as they’re healthy, Jarwin and Schultz should be an excellent duo at the position. Jarwin took significant steps in 2018 and 2019. Schultz did the same last season, setting career-highs with 63 catches for 615 yards and four touchdowns. Sprinkle is mainly a blocking tight end who was signed to a one-year deal in April. He played in 59 games, starting 33, for Washington over the last four seasons. Sean McKeon played in 14 games last year as an undrafted rookie free agent, mostly contributing on special teams. Blake Bell signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in March after entering last season as the Cowboys’ No. 3 tight end.
Offensive line (10)
Tyron Smith
La’el Collins
Zack Martin
Tyler Biadasz
Connor Williams
Connor McGovern
Ty Nsekhe
Josh Ball
Brandon Knight
Matt Farniok
The first five are my projected starters. Williams and McGovern will again battle for the starting left guard spot. Nsekhe is the veteran swing tackle with Ball and Knight also working as reserve tackles. Knight could also play guard, giving him valuable position flex after starting nine games last season at left tackle. One of the biggest questions is at backup center with Joe Looney no longer on the roster. He remains a free agent, so maybe the Cowboys will make a move to bring him back if Farniok, who lined up at center during rookie minicamp last weekend, isn’t ready for the role.
Defensive line (11)
DeMarcus Lawrence
Randy Gregory
Dorance Armstrong
Tarell Basham
Chauncey Golston
Bradlee Anae
Neville Gallimore
Trysten Hill
Brent Urban
Osa Odighizuwa
Quinton Bohanna
Although the Cowboys have gone with 10 defensive linemen each of the last two seasons, we’re going a spot deeper because of some of the changes this offseason. The Cowboys signed Urban and Carlos Watkins to one-year deals in free agency. And both seemed like pretty solid bets to make the 53 at that time. But that was before Dallas drafted Odighizuwa, Golston and Bohanna. A lot could change in the next three and a half months, but at least nine of these names will likely be on the Week 1 roster if all are healthy.
Jaylon Smith (Matthew Emmons / USA Today)
Linebacker (5)
Micah Parsons
Leighton Vander Esch
Jaylon Smith
Keanu Neal
Jabril Cox
This is a talented group. Of course, we’ve said that in previous years about Dallas’ linebackers and then injuries and subpar play followed. Francis Bernard and Luke Gifford are others to keep an eye on, especially for special-teams purposes. Seeing how the reps are broken down and where everyone lines up should make this the most intriguing position group to watch entering training camp.
Defensive back (10)
Trevon Diggs
Kelvin Joseph
Anthony Brown
Jourdan Lewis
Nahshon Wright
Damontae Kazee
Jayron Kearse
Donovan Wilson
Darian Thompson
C.J. Goodwin
The final spot came down to Thompson and last year’s fourth-round pick Reggie Robinson II, who could earn a roster spot with his play in the upcoming months. But his lack of playing time last season and temporary move to safety leaves a lot of questions. And then there’s the fact that Dallas drafted Joseph and Wright in the first three rounds. Would the Cowboys have done that if they felt Robinson II was ready for a bigger role in Year 2 with a move back to corner? Robinson II is listed as a cornerback on the roster. Kazee, Kearse, Wilson and Thompson all make more sense than Robinson II at safety. And that’s not including sixth-round pick Israel Mukuamu, who will also be in the mix for a roster spot. Goodwin is in this group because he’s one of Dallas’ most valuable special-teams contributors.
Special teams (3)
Greg Zuerlein
Jake McQuaide
Bryan Anger
Zuerlein is the only kicker on the roster. McQuaide is the only long snapper. The punting job will come down to Anger and Hunter Niswander. Anger gets the slight edge because of his experience. Niswander has punted in eight NFL games. Anger has punted in 142.
