After the team’s first two games, the Dallas Cowboys head into the last week of the preseason with a clearer picture of the final roster.
While Jerry Jones has hinted that the Cowboys may not be done adding outside help to the team, the bulk of the roster is coming into focus with only one game left before the real thing.
Here is a projection of what the team’s final 53-man roster could look like in Week 1.
53-Man Roster Projection
Quarterback (3)
Starter: Dak Prescott
Backups: Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
There isn’t much to talk about at the top, as Prescott is a consensus top quarterback in the NFL and is in cruise control at QB1 for the Cowboys. However, there seem to be a lot more questions than answers behind him.
Dallas traded a fourth-round pick for Lance before last season, as they felt it was a low-risk/high-reward opportunity on a former No. 3 overall pick. The preseason has been up and down for the young signal-caller, making the decision between him and Rush far less clear for QB2. If the season were to start today, Lance would still be considered QB3 behind Rush.
Running Back (4)
Starters: Ezekiel Elliott
Backups: Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Hunter Luepke
Elliott, on paper, looks to be the starter in Dallas, even if he may not be the most talented back on the roster right now. There is familiarity and comfortability with the franchise’s former first-round pick and long-time running back.
Dowdle may be the Cowboys’ best option at the position right now. After a solid performance in Week 1 of the preseason, he’s been put in bubble wrap a bit as the team looks to preserve him for the start of the season.
Rounding out the group is another veteran, Freeman, and Luepke, a fullback who has been getting work at tight end as well. This will be an all-hands-on-deck group this season, with each of these guys assuming a part.
Wide Receiver (6)
Starters: CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert
Backups: KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy
The top three names on this list are officially solidified, and Dallas — despite Lamb contract negotiations drama — rightfully feels good about the three of them as a group.
Coming into training camp, the questions centered around Tolbert and whether he could take control of the third wide receiver job. He has done just that, and the Cowboys are ecstatic about it.
The rest of the group is very interesting, and they are the most fun bunch to watch this training camp. Dallas will have tough decisions to make on some talented guys. With Brooks, Turpin, and even the rookie Flournoy all making plays this training camp, this group can be sneaky productive in 2024.
Great night so far for Ryan Flournoy who caps off a quality first half with his first TD.
The WR room has been battling all camp, tonight might be a true separator for the rookie. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/mjYcHVmDdQ
— Tony Catalina (@Tony_Catalina) August 18, 2024
Tight End (3)
Starters: Jake Ferguson
Backups: Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens Jr.
Whether Dallas will go with three or four tight ends remains to be seen right now. With Luepke doubling as a running back and tight end, it may allow the Cowboys to go short here in favor of somewhere else.
However, for now, the Cowboys keep three to ensure they keep this young bunch together, led by a rising star in Ferguson.
Offensive Line (9)
Starters: Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Zack Martin, Terence Steele
Backups: Asim Richards, Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass, Josh Ball
The injury to Chuma Edoga changes the initial view of this group, with him assuredly starting the season on injured reserve. With that comes an opportunity for Ball, who has quietly had a quality camp, to slide into a roster spot.
Other important updates around the offensive line involve the center position, where it looks like Beebe is on the verge of winning the starting job. If the rookie is able to do so, that would put two rookies on the offensive line.
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As nerve-wracking as that appears, the Cowboys have faith in these young guys and have quality depth behind them if a change is needed.
Defensive Tackle (5)
Starters: Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith
Backups: Linval Joseph, Jordan Phillips, Justin Rogers
Defensive tackle was once the weakest position on the Cowboys’ roster right, but the team recognized that with the trade for Phillips and signing of Joseph.
Jones alluded to potentially adding more depth to the defensive line, which is the Joseph move and now Dallas feels comfortable at the spot that many were worried about heading into training camp.
EDGE (6)
Starters: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence
Backups: Marshawn Kneeland, Carl Lawson, Chauncey Golston, Al-Quadin Muhammad
Once a deep position group, the Cowboys are simply lacking depth at EDGE behind their two starters. Much like the defensive tackle position, the Cowboys added a depth piece late in training camp in the form of Lawson.
As long as Parsons and Lawrence are healthy — and Kneeland and Lawson can spell them — there shouldn’t be much concern for this group.
Linebacker (5)
Starters: Eric Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown, Damone Clark
Backups: Marist Liufau, Buddy Johnson
Linebacker looks to be one of the younger and brighter spots on Dallas’ roster.
With Kendricks as a veteran presence in the middle, the rest of the group is rounded out by young, athletic guys eager to make plays.
Secondary (9)
Starters: Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson
Backups: Jourdan Lewis, Caelen Carson, Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas, C.J. Goodwin
Top to bottom, this may be the deepest position group the Cowboys have on the roster.
Held down by a now-healthy Diggs and Bland coming off of a career year, Dallas’ secondary has a chance to be special this season.
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Coupled with the fact that the Cowboys have a steady safety room anchored by Hooker and Wilson, throwing the ball on these guys could prove to be quite the challenge.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker: Brandon Aubrey
Punter: Bryan Anger
Long Snapper: Trent Sieg
Nothing out of the ordinary to see here. Aubrey looks to be one of the NFL’s best kickers once again, while Anger is a long-time veteran who is as steady as they come.
