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By Calvin Watkins,
Staff Writer
Aug 30, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys' roster in 2026 is better than it was in 2025.
That’s not an overstatement. It’s not even breaking news.
It’s based on the talent assembled this offseason and what transpired when the team finalized its 53-man roster Sunday.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer believes this roster is improved. He would know, considering he was the head man during last year’s 7-9-1 slop of a year when the defense embarrassed the brand.
You can’t say that this year, at least on paper. The Cowboys have nine new starters on defense.
Nine.
The team was depending on the projected defensive starters for the 2025 season opener for its future. Most are no longer with the team.
Gone is edge rusher Sam Williams, part of the cuts Sunday. Also gone is cornerback Trevon Diggs. He was released Sunday by Seattle but could end up on the Seahawks' practice squad. Safety Donovan Wilson is also gone. He’s currently unemployed. Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa was traded. The defensive coordinator also was let go after one year.
Things have changed.
For the better?
Edge rusher Von Miller is here. His signing eventually pushed Williams out the door. A trade at the deadline last year brought defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, considered one of the top defensive tackles in the game. He’s paired with Kenny Clark, who came here thanks to the Micah Parsons trade.
The Cowboys also drafted well in the first round. They selected safety Caleb Downs with one of their two first-round selections. He’s a Week 1 starter who is expected to have a major impact.
Cobie Durant, a free agent signing, is projected to start at corner opposite DaRon Bland. With Diggs gone, things are a lot quieter at The Star.
No worries about knee issues or whether televisions are going to land on somebody’s head.
Just football.
The linebacker position, a revolving door of madness, is now about players making plays on the ball. DeMarvion Overshown, healthy again, is the middle linebacker. There is also rising rookie Jaishawn Barham, a physical presence who is getting better. The Cowboys also acquired veteran Dee Winters in the offseason to pair with Overshown.
It seems stability is back with this defense.
The offense was fine.
But the Cowboys made some statements.
The concerns about finding a swing tackle were answered when the Cowboys traded two draft picks to the Steelers for Broderick Jones, a former first-round pick. If one of their starting tackles struggle — and Schottenheimer has mentioned Terence Steele and Tyler Guyton in camp — Jones can slide in.
The two running backs drafted last year, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, were released. Malik Davis earned the No. 2 job. Blue and Mafah could return to the practice squad.
Wide receiver Camden Brown earned a roster spot, too. The Cowboys could have kept five receivers. Instead, Brown impressed the coaches and front office staff in training camp and the preseason to warrant six on the 53-man roster.
Jordan Hudson made it close, but he was let go because it’s hard to keep seven receivers. Brown not only plays receiver, he’ll become a trusted member on the special teams unit as well.
Speaking of special teams, that group needed some fixing.
Schottenheimer doesn’t want one core special teams player. He wants a gaggle of them. Markquese Bell, Alijah Clark, Tyrus Wheat, Ameer Speed … welcome.
Schottenheimer said he spent more time with the special teams group this summer, because, while the offense was in good shape, the defense and special teams units can cost you a game.
You can’t expect the offense to win high-scoring games every week. The special teams unit has to flip the field. The defense has to get some three-and-outs and force some third-and-longs.
The roster upgrades, which are a credit to the front office, mean the Cowboys are back to being in contention again.
It’s hard to say if this Cowboys team is a title contender, after all, the Los Angeles Rams announced Sunday that Aaron Donald is coming out of a two-year retirement like Sugar Ray Leonard.
The Cowboys definitely have the makings of a playoff team and that’s something you couldn’t say entering the 2025 season opener. Schottenheimer knew this two weeks ago after a preseason game at Arizona.
“Taking nothing away from our football team last year,” he said. “We’re more talented on paper and really excited about the defense and the way they’re playing. And you sit 29 guys [in a preseason game] and you’re still able to do what we were able to do. You’re getting those guys invaluable reps to help us make these decisions. It will be very tough decisions.”
The roster decisions were difficult, and that means the Cowboys are a better team because of it.
Staff Writer
Aug 30, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys' roster in 2026 is better than it was in 2025.
That’s not an overstatement. It’s not even breaking news.
It’s based on the talent assembled this offseason and what transpired when the team finalized its 53-man roster Sunday.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer believes this roster is improved. He would know, considering he was the head man during last year’s 7-9-1 slop of a year when the defense embarrassed the brand.
You can’t say that this year, at least on paper. The Cowboys have nine new starters on defense.
Nine.
The team was depending on the projected defensive starters for the 2025 season opener for its future. Most are no longer with the team.
Gone is edge rusher Sam Williams, part of the cuts Sunday. Also gone is cornerback Trevon Diggs. He was released Sunday by Seattle but could end up on the Seahawks' practice squad. Safety Donovan Wilson is also gone. He’s currently unemployed. Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa was traded. The defensive coordinator also was let go after one year.
Things have changed.
For the better?
Edge rusher Von Miller is here. His signing eventually pushed Williams out the door. A trade at the deadline last year brought defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, considered one of the top defensive tackles in the game. He’s paired with Kenny Clark, who came here thanks to the Micah Parsons trade.
The Cowboys also drafted well in the first round. They selected safety Caleb Downs with one of their two first-round selections. He’s a Week 1 starter who is expected to have a major impact.
Cobie Durant, a free agent signing, is projected to start at corner opposite DaRon Bland. With Diggs gone, things are a lot quieter at The Star.
No worries about knee issues or whether televisions are going to land on somebody’s head.
Just football.
The linebacker position, a revolving door of madness, is now about players making plays on the ball. DeMarvion Overshown, healthy again, is the middle linebacker. There is also rising rookie Jaishawn Barham, a physical presence who is getting better. The Cowboys also acquired veteran Dee Winters in the offseason to pair with Overshown.
It seems stability is back with this defense.
The offense was fine.
But the Cowboys made some statements.
The concerns about finding a swing tackle were answered when the Cowboys traded two draft picks to the Steelers for Broderick Jones, a former first-round pick. If one of their starting tackles struggle — and Schottenheimer has mentioned Terence Steele and Tyler Guyton in camp — Jones can slide in.
The two running backs drafted last year, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, were released. Malik Davis earned the No. 2 job. Blue and Mafah could return to the practice squad.
Wide receiver Camden Brown earned a roster spot, too. The Cowboys could have kept five receivers. Instead, Brown impressed the coaches and front office staff in training camp and the preseason to warrant six on the 53-man roster.
Jordan Hudson made it close, but he was let go because it’s hard to keep seven receivers. Brown not only plays receiver, he’ll become a trusted member on the special teams unit as well.
Speaking of special teams, that group needed some fixing.
Schottenheimer doesn’t want one core special teams player. He wants a gaggle of them. Markquese Bell, Alijah Clark, Tyrus Wheat, Ameer Speed … welcome.
Schottenheimer said he spent more time with the special teams group this summer, because, while the offense was in good shape, the defense and special teams units can cost you a game.
You can’t expect the offense to win high-scoring games every week. The special teams unit has to flip the field. The defense has to get some three-and-outs and force some third-and-longs.
The roster upgrades, which are a credit to the front office, mean the Cowboys are back to being in contention again.
It’s hard to say if this Cowboys team is a title contender, after all, the Los Angeles Rams announced Sunday that Aaron Donald is coming out of a two-year retirement like Sugar Ray Leonard.
The Cowboys definitely have the makings of a playoff team and that’s something you couldn’t say entering the 2025 season opener. Schottenheimer knew this two weeks ago after a preseason game at Arizona.
“Taking nothing away from our football team last year,” he said. “We’re more talented on paper and really excited about the defense and the way they’re playing. And you sit 29 guys [in a preseason game] and you’re still able to do what we were able to do. You’re getting those guys invaluable reps to help us make these decisions. It will be very tough decisions.”
The roster decisions were difficult, and that means the Cowboys are a better team because of it.