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By Jon Machota 3h ago
The Cowboys will board their charter for Oxnard, Calif. on Thursday and hold their first official training camp practice on Saturday.
But before any of that action begins, let’s get caught up on the 90-man roster Dallas has been putting together since the 2018 season ended.
The best way to do that? A little background on every player.
Quarterback (3):
Dak Prescott: He enters Year 4 as the Cowboys’ unquestioned leader. Prescott hasn’t missed a start in his previous three seasons as Dallas’ starting quarterback. All the pieces are in place for the two-time Pro Bowler to have the best year of his career.
Cooper Rush: He’s competing to be Prescott’s backup for the third consecutive season. Rush was outstanding during the preseason two years ago, completing 75 percent of his passes while throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions. He had his best day of the offseason during the final minicamp practice.
Mike White: The 2018 fifth-round pick will compete with Rush for the backup job throughout training camp and the preseason. White, who has not appeared in an NFL game, completed 63 percent of his passes for 414 yards, no touchdowns and one interception during the 2018 preseason.
Running back (7):
Ezekiel Elliott: He is the engine of the Cowboys’ car. Every opponent’s gameplan begins with trying to contain Elliott. If things go as planned, he will claim his third rushing title in four professional seasons. To compare, no player in the last 50 years has more than four rushing titles.
Tony Pollard: There’s a good chance Pollard makes the biggest impact of all the Cowboys rookies. New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will likely use Pollard in a variety of ways as a runner and a receiver. Several in the Cowboys organization have already set the bar extremely high, comparing Pollard to Saints star back Alvin Kamara.
Mike Weber: It’s unlikely that the seventh-round pick will get as many touches as Pollard, but Weber has a chance to play behind Elliott as a more traditional backup. In three seasons at Ohio State, Weber rushed for 2,676 yards and 24 touchdowns while averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
Jamize Olawale: As long as Jason Garrett is their head coach, the Cowboys will have a fullback on their 53-man roster. Olawale is expected to fill that role for the second consecutive season. The North Texas alum played in every game last year, catching two passes but finishing without a single carry.
Darius Jackson: The 2016 sixth-round pick worked with the second-team offense throughout OTAs and minicamp. He’s a sleeper candidate to keep an eye on during camp and the preseason. If he can make the most of his opportunities, there could be a role for him on the roster.
Jordan Chunn: He was signed last year by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He never appeared on the active roster, spending his first year on the practice squad. In his final two seasons at Troy, Chunn rushed for 2,062 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Ryan Yurachek: A fullback who was signed to the roster last month. Yurachek spent last season on the Raiders’ practice squad after going undrafted. Yurachek played tight end at Marshall, catching 143 passes for 1,354 yards and 26 touchdowns in four years.
Wide receiver (12):
Amari Cooper: The Cowboys traded for Cooper before their bye week, and it saved their 2018 season. He immediately stepped in as the team’s No. 1 receiver and quickly developed a rapport with Prescott. It’ll be interesting to see how much more their chemistry can grow with a full offseason together.
Randall Cobb: The offense’s biggest offseason addition, Cobb immediately steps in to replace the departed Cole Beasley. Cobb and Prescott looked like they had been playing together for a while during OTAs and minicamp. The longtime Green Bay Packer should make an immediate impact on offense and special teams.
Michael Gallup: This could end up being a huge year for the second-year receiver. His play was trending in the right direction last season as he turned in his best game in the playoff loss to the Rams. The combination of Cooper, Cobb and Gallup should be on the field a lot together this season.
Allen Hurns: He didn’t do much in OTAs and minicamp while working his way back from a gruesome ankle injury suffered in the wild card game against Seattle. But Hurns is expected to make a full recovery and compete for a roster spot in his second season with the Cowboys. The team would save significant cap space by releasing him, leaving his status up in the air.
Tavon Austin: Like Hurns, Austin didn’t do much in the offseason as he was recovering from a groin injury. Austin can be used in a variety of ways on offense, but he has to be available. He caught eight passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Noah Brown: A favorite of the coaching staff, Brown is a very good blocking receiver with the ability to help in the passing game. In two seasons with the Cowboys, Brown has played in 21 games, catching nine passes for 87 yards.
Lance Lenoir: He’ll be fighting for a roster spot for the third consecutive season. The 2017 undrafted rookie free agent out of Western Illinois has spent most of his time on the practice squad. He has showcased an ability to make some nice plays during previous training camp practices and preseason games.
Jon’Vea Johnson: An undrafted rookie free agent who turned some heads during OTAs and minicamp. He finished his time at Toledo with 125 receptions for 2,265 yards and 25 touchdowns. During a 2016 game against BYU, Johnson caught nine passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
Cedrick Wilson: After being drafted in the sixth round, Wilson missed all of last season with a shoulder injury. He put up good numbers during the 2016 and 2017 seasons at Boise State, totaling 139 receptions for 2,640 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Reggie Davis: He admittedly weighs only about 170 pounds, but he can fly if he’s allowed to run free. Davis made some big plays during OTAs and minicamp. It will be intriguing to see if that continues when the pads come on in Oxnard. If it does, he has a chance to make the final roster.
Jalen Guyton: The former Allen High School star signed with the Cowboys in April after going undrafted. Over the last two years at North Texas, he caught 103 passes for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Devin Smith: The former Ohio State star was a second-round pick by the Jets in 2015. But multiple ACL injuries caused him to eventually be waived last year. He signed with the Cowboys in January. Smith has not played in an NFL game since 2016.
Tight end (5):
Jason Witten: Witten is expected to again be a significant part of the offense despite not playing last season and recently turning 37. He took all the first-team reps when he practiced during OTAs and minicamp. Witten finished the 2017 season with 63 receptions for 560 yards and five touchdowns.
Blake Jarwin: He progressed throughout last season, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 17. If not for Witten’s return, Jarwin would be the pick to lead Dallas at tight end. While he’ll still get plenty of opportunities, Jarwin’s targets will likely take a back seat to the 11-time Pro Bowler.
Dalton Schultz: Dallas’ No. 3 tight end should continue to see opportunities, especially as a blocker. The 2018 fourth-round pick played in 11 games last season, starting seven. He caught 12 passes for 116 yards.
Rico Gathers: No one’s really sure how much Gathers will contribute this season. After showing some upside in 2016 and 2017 preseason games, Gathers finally got into regular-season games last year, catching three passes for 45 yards. With Witten returning, it’s difficult to see very many opportunities for Gathers.
Codey McElroy: The former minor league baseball player and college basketball player is now focused on an NFL career. He was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Rams last year but did not appear in any games. The Cowboys then signed him in March.
Offensive line (16):
Zack Martin: Arguably the best offensive lineman on the roster and the best guard in the game. At this point, it’s crazy to think there was ever a debate about drafting Johnny Manziel over Martin. The Notre Dame alum has been a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in all five seasons since being drafted in 2015.
Tyron Smith: He continues to be one of the best left tackles in the game. Smith, a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro selection, is entering his ninth season. If there are any concerns, it’s that Smith has missed three games in each of the last three seasons because of injury.
Travis Frederick: One of the biggest questions entering camp: How will Frederick look in his return from Guillain-Barré syndrome? Frederick worked with the first team during the walk-through portions of OTAs and minicamp, but training camp will mark the first time he’ll have the pads back on in almost a year.
La’el Collins: He enters the final year of his contract in position to make a lot of money next March. Collins has started every game over the last two seasons at right tackle. If he plays well enough in 2019, the Cowboys could be in a similar position as they were the last few years with players like Damien Wilson, Anthony Hitchens and Barry Church. They’d love to keep him, but it might be too expensive.
Connor Williams: He played in 13 games, starting 10 as a rookie. In Year 2, the former Texas standout is expected to start at left guard. His offseason plan was to add bulk after being undersized a year ago. Based on social media posts this offseason, he has accomplished that goal.
Connor McGovern: Offensive line was far from Dallas’ biggest need in the third round this year, but McGovern was too good to pass up. The three-year starter at Penn State has the ability to play just about any of the offensive line positions if needed, but the Cowboys are currently focused on keeping him on the interior.
Cameron Fleming: You don’t really appreciate the value of a good swing tackle until one of your starters go down. Fleming provides the Cowboys with great depth on the outside. Fleming has started 23 games during his four seasons with the Patriots and one with the Cowboys.
Joe Looney: Another extremely valuable backup who filled in well for Frederick last season, starting every game at center. Looney has the ability to play any of the interior line positions. He also brings a huge personality that makes him one of the most entertaining players behind the scenes.
Xavier Su’a-Filo: He provided some quality depth last season, starting eight games at the left guard position. In five NFL seasons — four with the Houston Texans — Su’a-Filo has started 49 games.
Mitch Hyatt: This could end up being a huge steal for Dallas. The undrafted rookie free agent was a four-year starter and two-time All-American at offensive tackle on a Clemson Tigers team that made the College Football Playoff every year of his career and won two national championships.
Adam Redmond: Added to provide depth at center last season, Redmond appeared in 10 games. He was an undrafted rookie free agent signed by the Colts in 2016. He has also spent time with the Bills.
Cody Wichmann: A sixth-round pick in 2015 by the Rams, Wichmann started 11 games in 2016 and seven in 2015. The interior lineman spent time with the Titans in 2017. He was signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad last September.
Jake Campos: The Cowboys signed Campos as an undrafted rookie free agent last year. He spent the 2018 season on the practice squad. He was named second-team All-Big 12 in 2017 while starting 13 games at left tackle for Iowa State.
Brandon Knight: The former Indiana Hoosier started 12 games at right tackle last season en route to being named honorable mention All-Big Ten. He played in 41 games, starting 26 at right tackle during his college career.
Derrick Puni: A three-year starter and three-year all-conference player at Central Missouri. He missed the entire 2017 season with a torn labrum.
Larry Allen Jr.: The son of former Cowboys legend Larry Allen started all 20 games during his last two seasons at Harvard. He made All-Ivy League first-team both seasons. During rookie minicamp, Allen took reps at guard and center.
Special Teams (5):
Brett Maher: Much more focus will paid to Maher during this year’s training camp. Last year, he was thought to be just a camp leg, getting work on Dan Bailey’s off days. And then Bailey was surprisingly part of the final roster cuts, leaving Maher as the team’s kicker for the 2018 season. Maher ended up being the NFL’s best from 50-plus yards, making six of seven. However, his overall field goal percentage was only 80.6 percent, 25th-best in the league.
Chris Jones: He hasn’t missed a game over the last six seasons. Jones had his best season in 2017, leading the NFL in punt return average at only 4.2 yards per punt. But that average increased to 8.5 last season, putting him in the middle of the pack.
Kasey Redfern: He has been in the league since 2014, bouncing around between several teams. The Cowboys signed him in April. Redfern has appeared in one game during his NFL career, attempting one punt for the Lions that traveled 50 yards.
L.P. Ladouceur: The oldest player on Dallas’ roster turned 38 in March. He has been the Cowboys’ long snapper since 2005. He made the Pro Bowl in 2014 and is still regarded as one of the best at his position.
Drew Scott: The former Kansas State long snapper spent some time last year with the Raiders but did not make the final roster. He was signed by Dallas in March to work behind Ladouceur.
Defensive end (11):
DeMarcus Lawrence: Don’t expect to see much from the team’s top pass rusher when the Cowboys get to work in Oxnard. The two-time Pro Bowler is working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. It makes no sense to risk a setback in camp. The goal is to have Lawrence ready for Week 1.
Robert Quinn: The biggest offseason addition on defense is expected to start immediately at the right defensive end spot. The Cowboys traded for the two-time Pro Bowler in March. Lining up opposite Lawrence, Quinn gives Dallas a potential second double-digit sack producer, something the Cowboys haven’t had since DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in 2012.
Tyrone Crawford: His greatest strengths are his toughness, versatility and leadership. Crawford can play on the edge on first and second down and then move inside in pass-rushing situations. He posted a career-high 5.5 sacks last season to go along with 25 QB pressures, third-best on the team.
Kerry Hyder: He has the potential to be an important contributor as a veteran pass rusher. Hyder had eight sacks for the Lions in 2016, but he suffered an Achilles injury the following season and then the scheme changed in Detroit. He signed with Dallas in March and worked as the second-team left end throughout OTAs and minicamp.
Dorance Armstrong: There should be more opportunities in Year 2 for last year’s fourth-round pick. Armstrong received first-team reps at left end with DeMarcus Lawrence not participating in OTAs and minicamp. “I feel like I got a lot faster, a lot stronger, a lot more explosive,” Armstrong said last month. “I’m understanding the game a lot better, a lot easier and just being more confident.”
Taco Charlton: Two disappointing years have passed for the Cowboys’ 2017 first-round pick. In 27 games, Charlton has had four sacks and 46 tackles. A shoulder injury caused him to miss time last season, but he was also later considered a healthy scratch for two games.
Joe Jackson: The Cowboys drafted Jackson in the fifth round in April in a bid to find more young help rushing the passer. He finished with 8.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in his last season at Miami.
Jalen Jelks: The Cowboys added another young pass rusher in the seventh round. Jelks is a long and lean defender (6-5, 256) who finished his college career at Oregon with 15.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss.
Daniel Wise: One of the Cowboys’ top undrafted free agency signings this year, Wise was a four-year starter at Kansas. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors last season and finished his college career with 152 tackles, 43 tackles for loss and 17 sacks.
Shakir Soto: The former Bronco and Raider signed with the Cowboys in April after playing in the Alliance of American Football league. He has never played in an NFL game, but he had four sacks in eight games with the San Diego Fleet.
Ricky Walker: Walker played defensive tackle at Virginia Tech but is listed as a defensive end on the Cowboys’ roster. Over his last two years with the Hokies, Walker totaled 90 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits.
Defensive tackle (5):
Maliek Collins: If Collins stays healthy, I predict he’ll lead the team’s defensive tackles in sacks. The 2016 third-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He had three sacks and 20 QB pressures last year despite missing three games. He had five sacks during his rookie season.
Antwaun Woods: It would be difficult to find many players who had a better training camp than Woods did last year. He went from the fourth team to the first in a matter of weeks. He then started 15 games, totaling 1.5 sacks and 34 tackles. The one-technique tackle is expected to again have a significant role.
Trysten Hill: Since Dallas didn’t have a first-round pick because of the Amari Cooper trade, Hill was the Cowboys’ first selection at No. 58 overall. Despite some intriguing safety prospects still on the board, the Cowboys elected to go with the DT out of UCF. “This game is won up front,” DB coach Kris Richard said in May. “It’s a big man’s game. He’s got, like, generational-type athleticism, freakish-ability. … It’s hard to pass on a guy of that nature.”
Christian Covington: Another offseason signing similar to Kerry Hyder. Covington could end up playing a big role in his first season with the Cowboys. In four years with the Texans, Covington recorded 7.5 sacks and 16 QB hits. In 12 games last season, he totaled 3.5 sacks and eight QB hits.
Daniel Ross: After spending time in the Canadian Football League, Ross bounced around with the Texans, Lions and Chiefs before finally ending up with the Cowboys in late 2017. He continued to improve and ended up playing in 13 games last season, finishing with a sack, a forced fumble and 14 tackles.
Linebacker (10):
Leighton Vander Esch: Last year’s first-round pick exceeded expectations in his first season. He led the team in tackles and made the Pro Bowl while demonstrating elite sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability. It’s hard to believe he can improve on his rookie year, but those are the expectations for the 23-year-old.
Jaylon Smith: The Cowboys’ gamble has paid off. Many didn’t believe Smith would be anywhere near the player he was before suffering that severe knee injury in his final college game. But in 2018, Smith showed he is back. Dallas now has two elite athletic linebackers to build around for years to come.
Sean Lee: Lee has committed to playing strongside linebacker in Dallas’ base defense in hopes of getting on the field as much as possible. Lee is expected to see time at all three positions in his 10th season, working in behind Vander Esch and Smith at weakside and middle when needed.
Joe Thomas: He played in 10 games last season on defense and special teams, finishing with 14 tackles. Look for him to have a similar role in 2019. Thomas had a career year for the Packers in 2016 when he played in every game and totaled 70 tackles.
Justin March-Lillard: He, too, will likely make his greatest contributions on special teams. March-Lillard finished fifth on the roster with seven special teams tackles in 2018. This will be his third season in Dallas. He made previous stops in Kansas City, Miami and Seattle.
Chris Covington: He contributed mostly on special teams last season, playing in five games. The same is expected this season from the Cowboys’ sixth-round pick in 2018. Interesting note: He played quarterback during his freshman year at Indiana.
Kyle Queiro: He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent last year. He spent the 2018 season on the practice squad. Queiro played safety at Northwestern, finishing his college career with eight interceptions, 23 pass deflections and 132 tackles. He ate wings and watched a Cowboys game with Saad Yousuf last year.
Andrew Dowell: A three-year starter at Michigan State who set career-highs last season with 97 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, nine pass break-ups and 3.5 sacks. He was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in April.
Luke Gifford: He finished his senior year at Nebraska with 62 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Gifford was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent following this year’s draft.
Nate Hall: In 48 career games at Northwestern, Hall totaled 259 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 15 passes defended, five sacks and five interceptions. He was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in April.
Cornerback (9):
Byron Jones: The Cowboys’ top corner is coming off offseason hip surgery. He worked off to the side during OTAs and minicamp and isn’t expected to do much early in camp. Jones made his first Pro Bowl last season. The only thing missing from his game: interceptions. If those come this year, the Cowboys have a chance to be one of the league’s elite defenses.
Chidobe Awuzie: For the second consecutive year, Awuzie is expected to start opposite Jones. The Cowboys’ No. 2 corner finished with 71 tackles, one interception and 11 pass deflections last season. Year 3 could potentially be a breakout season for the former second-round pick.
Anthony Brown: He is expected to continue as the team’s starting nickel corner. Brown, a 2016 sixth-round pick, has played in all but one game over the last three seasons, starting 29. If Jones or Awuzie were to go down, Brown would likely step into one of the starting roles on the outside.
Jourdan Lewis: He was only on the field for 18 percent of the defensive snaps in 2018, but Lewis made some big plays, like his critical interception of Drew Brees in the final minutes of a 13-10 win over the Saints. The 2017 third-round pick has played in 30 games over the last two seasons, starting eight.
Mike Jackson: In need of bigger corners to fit Kris Richard’s scheme on the back end, Dallas drafted Jackson in the fifth round in April. He has the ability to play on the outside or inside. He had four interceptions during his junior year at Miami but none during his senior season.
C.J. Goodwin: Goodwin ended up with the Cowboys last October after spending time in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Arizona, New York, San Francisco and Cincinnati. He immediately provided valuable help on special teams, an area where he is again expected to contribute this season.
Donovan Olumba: He signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted rookie free agent last year. Olumba is a player to keep an eye on at camp. He has the ideal size that Richard is looking for and has shown a knack for making plays during practice.
Treston Decoud: A fifth-round pick by the Texans in 2017, Decoud was signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad last September. In 11 career games, he has recorded one pass deflection and seven total tackles.
Chris Westry: A 6-4 corner with almost 34-inch arms, which obviously fits what Richard is looking for at the position. The undrafted rookie free agent had three interceptions over his first two seasons at Kentucky but none during his last two. He was one of Dallas’ 30 pre-draft visitors.
Safety (7):
Xavier Woods: As Jerry Jones would say, Woods is a player whose arrow is pointing up. He seems to get better every time he’s on the field. Woods enters camp as the team’s starting free safety, where he started 14 games last season. Like Jones, Woods’ ability to create turnovers on the back end could take the Cowboys’ defense to the elite level.
Jeff Heath: For the third consecutive season, Heath is expected to start at strong safety. He finished with a career-high 85 tackles last year. He’s also a workhorse. Heath played 998 of the Cowboys’ 1,024 defensive snaps in 2018, second only to Jones. Heath’s 252 special teams snaps were most of any Cowboys player.
Kavon Frazier: He played in every game last season, finishing fourth in special teams tackles with eight. Frazier was the primary backup to Heath and Woods last season, but he’s expected to have more competition for that role this year.
George Iloka: Badly in need of safety help, the Cowboys signed Iloka to a one-year deal in March. Before joining Minnesota last season, Iloka was a five-year starter for the Bengals. His best two seasons were probably 2014 and 2016. Both years he finished with a career-high three interceptions and totaled over 70 tackles.
Darian Thompson: He was signed off the Cardinals’ practice squad last October and contributed on special teams in 10 games for the Cowboys. Thompson was a third-round pick by the Giants in 2016. He started every game in 2017, finishing with 75 tackles, an interception and six pass deflections.
Donovan Wilson: The Cowboys landed a big hitter on the back end when they drafted Wilson in the sixth round this year. Even if he isn’t able to contribute immediately on defense, he could make the final roster as a valuable special teams contributor.
Jameill Showers: There was a time during the 2016 training camp when Showers and Dak Prescott had a serious battle going for the backup quarterback job. Prescott eventually won that competition, and the rest is history. Showers has since moved to safety, where he has been a member of the practice squad.
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Good stuff right here.
By Jon Machota 3h ago
The Cowboys will board their charter for Oxnard, Calif. on Thursday and hold their first official training camp practice on Saturday.
But before any of that action begins, let’s get caught up on the 90-man roster Dallas has been putting together since the 2018 season ended.
The best way to do that? A little background on every player.
Quarterback (3):
Dak Prescott: He enters Year 4 as the Cowboys’ unquestioned leader. Prescott hasn’t missed a start in his previous three seasons as Dallas’ starting quarterback. All the pieces are in place for the two-time Pro Bowler to have the best year of his career.
Cooper Rush: He’s competing to be Prescott’s backup for the third consecutive season. Rush was outstanding during the preseason two years ago, completing 75 percent of his passes while throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions. He had his best day of the offseason during the final minicamp practice.
Mike White: The 2018 fifth-round pick will compete with Rush for the backup job throughout training camp and the preseason. White, who has not appeared in an NFL game, completed 63 percent of his passes for 414 yards, no touchdowns and one interception during the 2018 preseason.
Running back (7):
Ezekiel Elliott: He is the engine of the Cowboys’ car. Every opponent’s gameplan begins with trying to contain Elliott. If things go as planned, he will claim his third rushing title in four professional seasons. To compare, no player in the last 50 years has more than four rushing titles.
Tony Pollard: There’s a good chance Pollard makes the biggest impact of all the Cowboys rookies. New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will likely use Pollard in a variety of ways as a runner and a receiver. Several in the Cowboys organization have already set the bar extremely high, comparing Pollard to Saints star back Alvin Kamara.
Mike Weber: It’s unlikely that the seventh-round pick will get as many touches as Pollard, but Weber has a chance to play behind Elliott as a more traditional backup. In three seasons at Ohio State, Weber rushed for 2,676 yards and 24 touchdowns while averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
Jamize Olawale: As long as Jason Garrett is their head coach, the Cowboys will have a fullback on their 53-man roster. Olawale is expected to fill that role for the second consecutive season. The North Texas alum played in every game last year, catching two passes but finishing without a single carry.
Darius Jackson: The 2016 sixth-round pick worked with the second-team offense throughout OTAs and minicamp. He’s a sleeper candidate to keep an eye on during camp and the preseason. If he can make the most of his opportunities, there could be a role for him on the roster.
Jordan Chunn: He was signed last year by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He never appeared on the active roster, spending his first year on the practice squad. In his final two seasons at Troy, Chunn rushed for 2,062 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Ryan Yurachek: A fullback who was signed to the roster last month. Yurachek spent last season on the Raiders’ practice squad after going undrafted. Yurachek played tight end at Marshall, catching 143 passes for 1,354 yards and 26 touchdowns in four years.
Wide receiver (12):
Amari Cooper: The Cowboys traded for Cooper before their bye week, and it saved their 2018 season. He immediately stepped in as the team’s No. 1 receiver and quickly developed a rapport with Prescott. It’ll be interesting to see how much more their chemistry can grow with a full offseason together.
Randall Cobb: The offense’s biggest offseason addition, Cobb immediately steps in to replace the departed Cole Beasley. Cobb and Prescott looked like they had been playing together for a while during OTAs and minicamp. The longtime Green Bay Packer should make an immediate impact on offense and special teams.
Michael Gallup: This could end up being a huge year for the second-year receiver. His play was trending in the right direction last season as he turned in his best game in the playoff loss to the Rams. The combination of Cooper, Cobb and Gallup should be on the field a lot together this season.
Allen Hurns: He didn’t do much in OTAs and minicamp while working his way back from a gruesome ankle injury suffered in the wild card game against Seattle. But Hurns is expected to make a full recovery and compete for a roster spot in his second season with the Cowboys. The team would save significant cap space by releasing him, leaving his status up in the air.
Tavon Austin: Like Hurns, Austin didn’t do much in the offseason as he was recovering from a groin injury. Austin can be used in a variety of ways on offense, but he has to be available. He caught eight passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Noah Brown: A favorite of the coaching staff, Brown is a very good blocking receiver with the ability to help in the passing game. In two seasons with the Cowboys, Brown has played in 21 games, catching nine passes for 87 yards.
Lance Lenoir: He’ll be fighting for a roster spot for the third consecutive season. The 2017 undrafted rookie free agent out of Western Illinois has spent most of his time on the practice squad. He has showcased an ability to make some nice plays during previous training camp practices and preseason games.
Jon’Vea Johnson: An undrafted rookie free agent who turned some heads during OTAs and minicamp. He finished his time at Toledo with 125 receptions for 2,265 yards and 25 touchdowns. During a 2016 game against BYU, Johnson caught nine passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
Cedrick Wilson: After being drafted in the sixth round, Wilson missed all of last season with a shoulder injury. He put up good numbers during the 2016 and 2017 seasons at Boise State, totaling 139 receptions for 2,640 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Reggie Davis: He admittedly weighs only about 170 pounds, but he can fly if he’s allowed to run free. Davis made some big plays during OTAs and minicamp. It will be intriguing to see if that continues when the pads come on in Oxnard. If it does, he has a chance to make the final roster.
Jalen Guyton: The former Allen High School star signed with the Cowboys in April after going undrafted. Over the last two years at North Texas, he caught 103 passes for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Devin Smith: The former Ohio State star was a second-round pick by the Jets in 2015. But multiple ACL injuries caused him to eventually be waived last year. He signed with the Cowboys in January. Smith has not played in an NFL game since 2016.
Tight end (5):
Jason Witten: Witten is expected to again be a significant part of the offense despite not playing last season and recently turning 37. He took all the first-team reps when he practiced during OTAs and minicamp. Witten finished the 2017 season with 63 receptions for 560 yards and five touchdowns.
Blake Jarwin: He progressed throughout last season, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 17. If not for Witten’s return, Jarwin would be the pick to lead Dallas at tight end. While he’ll still get plenty of opportunities, Jarwin’s targets will likely take a back seat to the 11-time Pro Bowler.
Dalton Schultz: Dallas’ No. 3 tight end should continue to see opportunities, especially as a blocker. The 2018 fourth-round pick played in 11 games last season, starting seven. He caught 12 passes for 116 yards.
Rico Gathers: No one’s really sure how much Gathers will contribute this season. After showing some upside in 2016 and 2017 preseason games, Gathers finally got into regular-season games last year, catching three passes for 45 yards. With Witten returning, it’s difficult to see very many opportunities for Gathers.
Codey McElroy: The former minor league baseball player and college basketball player is now focused on an NFL career. He was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Rams last year but did not appear in any games. The Cowboys then signed him in March.
Offensive line (16):
Zack Martin: Arguably the best offensive lineman on the roster and the best guard in the game. At this point, it’s crazy to think there was ever a debate about drafting Johnny Manziel over Martin. The Notre Dame alum has been a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in all five seasons since being drafted in 2015.
Tyron Smith: He continues to be one of the best left tackles in the game. Smith, a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro selection, is entering his ninth season. If there are any concerns, it’s that Smith has missed three games in each of the last three seasons because of injury.
Travis Frederick: One of the biggest questions entering camp: How will Frederick look in his return from Guillain-Barré syndrome? Frederick worked with the first team during the walk-through portions of OTAs and minicamp, but training camp will mark the first time he’ll have the pads back on in almost a year.
La’el Collins: He enters the final year of his contract in position to make a lot of money next March. Collins has started every game over the last two seasons at right tackle. If he plays well enough in 2019, the Cowboys could be in a similar position as they were the last few years with players like Damien Wilson, Anthony Hitchens and Barry Church. They’d love to keep him, but it might be too expensive.
Connor Williams: He played in 13 games, starting 10 as a rookie. In Year 2, the former Texas standout is expected to start at left guard. His offseason plan was to add bulk after being undersized a year ago. Based on social media posts this offseason, he has accomplished that goal.
Connor McGovern: Offensive line was far from Dallas’ biggest need in the third round this year, but McGovern was too good to pass up. The three-year starter at Penn State has the ability to play just about any of the offensive line positions if needed, but the Cowboys are currently focused on keeping him on the interior.
Cameron Fleming: You don’t really appreciate the value of a good swing tackle until one of your starters go down. Fleming provides the Cowboys with great depth on the outside. Fleming has started 23 games during his four seasons with the Patriots and one with the Cowboys.
Joe Looney: Another extremely valuable backup who filled in well for Frederick last season, starting every game at center. Looney has the ability to play any of the interior line positions. He also brings a huge personality that makes him one of the most entertaining players behind the scenes.
Xavier Su’a-Filo: He provided some quality depth last season, starting eight games at the left guard position. In five NFL seasons — four with the Houston Texans — Su’a-Filo has started 49 games.
Mitch Hyatt: This could end up being a huge steal for Dallas. The undrafted rookie free agent was a four-year starter and two-time All-American at offensive tackle on a Clemson Tigers team that made the College Football Playoff every year of his career and won two national championships.
Adam Redmond: Added to provide depth at center last season, Redmond appeared in 10 games. He was an undrafted rookie free agent signed by the Colts in 2016. He has also spent time with the Bills.
Cody Wichmann: A sixth-round pick in 2015 by the Rams, Wichmann started 11 games in 2016 and seven in 2015. The interior lineman spent time with the Titans in 2017. He was signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad last September.
Jake Campos: The Cowboys signed Campos as an undrafted rookie free agent last year. He spent the 2018 season on the practice squad. He was named second-team All-Big 12 in 2017 while starting 13 games at left tackle for Iowa State.
Brandon Knight: The former Indiana Hoosier started 12 games at right tackle last season en route to being named honorable mention All-Big Ten. He played in 41 games, starting 26 at right tackle during his college career.
Derrick Puni: A three-year starter and three-year all-conference player at Central Missouri. He missed the entire 2017 season with a torn labrum.
Larry Allen Jr.: The son of former Cowboys legend Larry Allen started all 20 games during his last two seasons at Harvard. He made All-Ivy League first-team both seasons. During rookie minicamp, Allen took reps at guard and center.
Special Teams (5):
Brett Maher: Much more focus will paid to Maher during this year’s training camp. Last year, he was thought to be just a camp leg, getting work on Dan Bailey’s off days. And then Bailey was surprisingly part of the final roster cuts, leaving Maher as the team’s kicker for the 2018 season. Maher ended up being the NFL’s best from 50-plus yards, making six of seven. However, his overall field goal percentage was only 80.6 percent, 25th-best in the league.
Chris Jones: He hasn’t missed a game over the last six seasons. Jones had his best season in 2017, leading the NFL in punt return average at only 4.2 yards per punt. But that average increased to 8.5 last season, putting him in the middle of the pack.
Kasey Redfern: He has been in the league since 2014, bouncing around between several teams. The Cowboys signed him in April. Redfern has appeared in one game during his NFL career, attempting one punt for the Lions that traveled 50 yards.
L.P. Ladouceur: The oldest player on Dallas’ roster turned 38 in March. He has been the Cowboys’ long snapper since 2005. He made the Pro Bowl in 2014 and is still regarded as one of the best at his position.
Drew Scott: The former Kansas State long snapper spent some time last year with the Raiders but did not make the final roster. He was signed by Dallas in March to work behind Ladouceur.
Defensive end (11):
DeMarcus Lawrence: Don’t expect to see much from the team’s top pass rusher when the Cowboys get to work in Oxnard. The two-time Pro Bowler is working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. It makes no sense to risk a setback in camp. The goal is to have Lawrence ready for Week 1.
Robert Quinn: The biggest offseason addition on defense is expected to start immediately at the right defensive end spot. The Cowboys traded for the two-time Pro Bowler in March. Lining up opposite Lawrence, Quinn gives Dallas a potential second double-digit sack producer, something the Cowboys haven’t had since DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in 2012.
Tyrone Crawford: His greatest strengths are his toughness, versatility and leadership. Crawford can play on the edge on first and second down and then move inside in pass-rushing situations. He posted a career-high 5.5 sacks last season to go along with 25 QB pressures, third-best on the team.
Kerry Hyder: He has the potential to be an important contributor as a veteran pass rusher. Hyder had eight sacks for the Lions in 2016, but he suffered an Achilles injury the following season and then the scheme changed in Detroit. He signed with Dallas in March and worked as the second-team left end throughout OTAs and minicamp.
Dorance Armstrong: There should be more opportunities in Year 2 for last year’s fourth-round pick. Armstrong received first-team reps at left end with DeMarcus Lawrence not participating in OTAs and minicamp. “I feel like I got a lot faster, a lot stronger, a lot more explosive,” Armstrong said last month. “I’m understanding the game a lot better, a lot easier and just being more confident.”
Taco Charlton: Two disappointing years have passed for the Cowboys’ 2017 first-round pick. In 27 games, Charlton has had four sacks and 46 tackles. A shoulder injury caused him to miss time last season, but he was also later considered a healthy scratch for two games.
Joe Jackson: The Cowboys drafted Jackson in the fifth round in April in a bid to find more young help rushing the passer. He finished with 8.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in his last season at Miami.
Jalen Jelks: The Cowboys added another young pass rusher in the seventh round. Jelks is a long and lean defender (6-5, 256) who finished his college career at Oregon with 15.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss.
Daniel Wise: One of the Cowboys’ top undrafted free agency signings this year, Wise was a four-year starter at Kansas. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors last season and finished his college career with 152 tackles, 43 tackles for loss and 17 sacks.
Shakir Soto: The former Bronco and Raider signed with the Cowboys in April after playing in the Alliance of American Football league. He has never played in an NFL game, but he had four sacks in eight games with the San Diego Fleet.
Ricky Walker: Walker played defensive tackle at Virginia Tech but is listed as a defensive end on the Cowboys’ roster. Over his last two years with the Hokies, Walker totaled 90 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits.
Defensive tackle (5):
Maliek Collins: If Collins stays healthy, I predict he’ll lead the team’s defensive tackles in sacks. The 2016 third-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He had three sacks and 20 QB pressures last year despite missing three games. He had five sacks during his rookie season.
Antwaun Woods: It would be difficult to find many players who had a better training camp than Woods did last year. He went from the fourth team to the first in a matter of weeks. He then started 15 games, totaling 1.5 sacks and 34 tackles. The one-technique tackle is expected to again have a significant role.
Trysten Hill: Since Dallas didn’t have a first-round pick because of the Amari Cooper trade, Hill was the Cowboys’ first selection at No. 58 overall. Despite some intriguing safety prospects still on the board, the Cowboys elected to go with the DT out of UCF. “This game is won up front,” DB coach Kris Richard said in May. “It’s a big man’s game. He’s got, like, generational-type athleticism, freakish-ability. … It’s hard to pass on a guy of that nature.”
Christian Covington: Another offseason signing similar to Kerry Hyder. Covington could end up playing a big role in his first season with the Cowboys. In four years with the Texans, Covington recorded 7.5 sacks and 16 QB hits. In 12 games last season, he totaled 3.5 sacks and eight QB hits.
Daniel Ross: After spending time in the Canadian Football League, Ross bounced around with the Texans, Lions and Chiefs before finally ending up with the Cowboys in late 2017. He continued to improve and ended up playing in 13 games last season, finishing with a sack, a forced fumble and 14 tackles.
Linebacker (10):
Leighton Vander Esch: Last year’s first-round pick exceeded expectations in his first season. He led the team in tackles and made the Pro Bowl while demonstrating elite sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability. It’s hard to believe he can improve on his rookie year, but those are the expectations for the 23-year-old.
Jaylon Smith: The Cowboys’ gamble has paid off. Many didn’t believe Smith would be anywhere near the player he was before suffering that severe knee injury in his final college game. But in 2018, Smith showed he is back. Dallas now has two elite athletic linebackers to build around for years to come.
Sean Lee: Lee has committed to playing strongside linebacker in Dallas’ base defense in hopes of getting on the field as much as possible. Lee is expected to see time at all three positions in his 10th season, working in behind Vander Esch and Smith at weakside and middle when needed.
Joe Thomas: He played in 10 games last season on defense and special teams, finishing with 14 tackles. Look for him to have a similar role in 2019. Thomas had a career year for the Packers in 2016 when he played in every game and totaled 70 tackles.
Justin March-Lillard: He, too, will likely make his greatest contributions on special teams. March-Lillard finished fifth on the roster with seven special teams tackles in 2018. This will be his third season in Dallas. He made previous stops in Kansas City, Miami and Seattle.
Chris Covington: He contributed mostly on special teams last season, playing in five games. The same is expected this season from the Cowboys’ sixth-round pick in 2018. Interesting note: He played quarterback during his freshman year at Indiana.
Kyle Queiro: He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent last year. He spent the 2018 season on the practice squad. Queiro played safety at Northwestern, finishing his college career with eight interceptions, 23 pass deflections and 132 tackles. He ate wings and watched a Cowboys game with Saad Yousuf last year.
Andrew Dowell: A three-year starter at Michigan State who set career-highs last season with 97 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, nine pass break-ups and 3.5 sacks. He was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in April.
Luke Gifford: He finished his senior year at Nebraska with 62 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Gifford was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent following this year’s draft.
Nate Hall: In 48 career games at Northwestern, Hall totaled 259 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 15 passes defended, five sacks and five interceptions. He was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in April.
Cornerback (9):
Byron Jones: The Cowboys’ top corner is coming off offseason hip surgery. He worked off to the side during OTAs and minicamp and isn’t expected to do much early in camp. Jones made his first Pro Bowl last season. The only thing missing from his game: interceptions. If those come this year, the Cowboys have a chance to be one of the league’s elite defenses.
Chidobe Awuzie: For the second consecutive year, Awuzie is expected to start opposite Jones. The Cowboys’ No. 2 corner finished with 71 tackles, one interception and 11 pass deflections last season. Year 3 could potentially be a breakout season for the former second-round pick.
Anthony Brown: He is expected to continue as the team’s starting nickel corner. Brown, a 2016 sixth-round pick, has played in all but one game over the last three seasons, starting 29. If Jones or Awuzie were to go down, Brown would likely step into one of the starting roles on the outside.
Jourdan Lewis: He was only on the field for 18 percent of the defensive snaps in 2018, but Lewis made some big plays, like his critical interception of Drew Brees in the final minutes of a 13-10 win over the Saints. The 2017 third-round pick has played in 30 games over the last two seasons, starting eight.
Mike Jackson: In need of bigger corners to fit Kris Richard’s scheme on the back end, Dallas drafted Jackson in the fifth round in April. He has the ability to play on the outside or inside. He had four interceptions during his junior year at Miami but none during his senior season.
C.J. Goodwin: Goodwin ended up with the Cowboys last October after spending time in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Arizona, New York, San Francisco and Cincinnati. He immediately provided valuable help on special teams, an area where he is again expected to contribute this season.
Donovan Olumba: He signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted rookie free agent last year. Olumba is a player to keep an eye on at camp. He has the ideal size that Richard is looking for and has shown a knack for making plays during practice.
Treston Decoud: A fifth-round pick by the Texans in 2017, Decoud was signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad last September. In 11 career games, he has recorded one pass deflection and seven total tackles.
Chris Westry: A 6-4 corner with almost 34-inch arms, which obviously fits what Richard is looking for at the position. The undrafted rookie free agent had three interceptions over his first two seasons at Kentucky but none during his last two. He was one of Dallas’ 30 pre-draft visitors.
Safety (7):
Xavier Woods: As Jerry Jones would say, Woods is a player whose arrow is pointing up. He seems to get better every time he’s on the field. Woods enters camp as the team’s starting free safety, where he started 14 games last season. Like Jones, Woods’ ability to create turnovers on the back end could take the Cowboys’ defense to the elite level.
Jeff Heath: For the third consecutive season, Heath is expected to start at strong safety. He finished with a career-high 85 tackles last year. He’s also a workhorse. Heath played 998 of the Cowboys’ 1,024 defensive snaps in 2018, second only to Jones. Heath’s 252 special teams snaps were most of any Cowboys player.
Kavon Frazier: He played in every game last season, finishing fourth in special teams tackles with eight. Frazier was the primary backup to Heath and Woods last season, but he’s expected to have more competition for that role this year.
George Iloka: Badly in need of safety help, the Cowboys signed Iloka to a one-year deal in March. Before joining Minnesota last season, Iloka was a five-year starter for the Bengals. His best two seasons were probably 2014 and 2016. Both years he finished with a career-high three interceptions and totaled over 70 tackles.
Darian Thompson: He was signed off the Cardinals’ practice squad last October and contributed on special teams in 10 games for the Cowboys. Thompson was a third-round pick by the Giants in 2016. He started every game in 2017, finishing with 75 tackles, an interception and six pass deflections.
Donovan Wilson: The Cowboys landed a big hitter on the back end when they drafted Wilson in the sixth round this year. Even if he isn’t able to contribute immediately on defense, he could make the final roster as a valuable special teams contributor.
Jameill Showers: There was a time during the 2016 training camp when Showers and Dak Prescott had a serious battle going for the backup quarterback job. Prescott eventually won that competition, and the rest is history. Showers has since moved to safety, where he has been a member of the practice squad.
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Good stuff right here.
