With Dallas Cowboys training camp less than a week away, here are some things to look out for in each position group that could help them make it to the final depth charts.
Although NFL roster cuts will be made at the end of August, there are still factors that have played out in seasons prior and in the offseason that can help some Cowboys players make the final 53-man roster.
Projecting the Dallas Cowboys’ 2023 Roster and Depth Chart
Quarterback
In: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush
Out: Will Grier
The Cowboys’ QB group is self-explanatory, with Dak Prescott entering his eighth season. Prescott is coming off the 2022 season with a 91.1 quarterback rating, the lowest of his career.
There looks to be a rejuvenation that should spark from Mike McCarthy calling the plays and hiring offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, making the scheme less overwhelming for everyone.
The backup QB position is not up for debate, as the Cowboys signed Rush to a two-year deal worth up to $6 million in the offseason. However, seeing how Grier will work with Schottenheimer and quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien will be interesting.
Running Back
In: Tony Pollard, Malik Davis, Rico Dowdle
Maybe: Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke
Out: Ronald Jones
With the Cowboys releasing Ezekiel Elliott in the offseason, this will be Tony Pollard’s first season as the starter. Pollard is returning from a broken fibula, but he should have a very productive season ahead, nonetheless.
After the success of the “one-two punch” approach that worked well for Dallas last season, it’s safe to assume that’s something the new playbook will keep incorporating. But the question is, who will be the lightning to Pollard’s thunder?
Malik Davis is going into camp with the benefit of the doubt since he was the active third RB last year. However, with Rico Dowdle returning from injury, he could also be someone to keep an eye on.
Fullback Hunter Luepke has the size, speed, and skill set to easily fit into the Cowboys’ offense and could be a breakout player at camp. As for Deuce Vaughn, though he has speed and agility, he might be a guy that you see more on special teams to get his feet before really jumping into the offense, very much like we saw with KaVontae Turpin last season.
Ronald Jones is among the most underrated backs but has a proven record of being a productive second RB. But is the younger talent too stacked for him to find a spot on the roster? Only time will tell.
Wide Receiver
In: CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert, Simi Fehoko
Maybe: Dennis Houston, Jalen Moreno-Cropper
Out: Jose Barbon, Jalen Brooks, Dontario Drummond, David Durden, Tyron Johnson, John Stephens Jr.
With CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup fortified as Prescott’s starting three receivers, the battle for a fourth will begin at camp. The primary battle will be between Turpin, Tolbert, and Fehoko, who have all worked with Prescott this offseason to build chemistry and learn the playbook.
Houston and Moreno-Cropper could take things to the next level and be breakout players at camp if they can get reps with the starters. Houston had a strong camp and preseason last year, so don’t count him out of the conversation.
Tight End
In: Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot, Luke Schoonmaker
Maybe: Sean McKeon
Out: Seth Green, Princeton Fant
The Cowboys’ tight end room is one of the most electrifying, with the potential to grow with time. The starting spot should go to Ferguson if he continues the upward trend he started during his rookie season last year.
Schoonmaker threw a wrench in the mix for the tight ends but fits the mold of what tight ends’ coach Lunda Wells can take to the next level.
If Hendershot has a phenomenal camp, he could still be a very impactful part of the offense, especially if the new playbook incorporates more TE sets.
Offensive Line
In: Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, Terence Steele
Maybe: Josh Ball, Matt Waletzko, Asim Richards, Matt Farniok, Chuma Edoga, T.J. Bass
Out: Earl Bostick Jr., Alex Taylor, Brock Hoffman, Alec Lindstrom
If all goes as expected with the offensive line heading into camp, the starting line should look as so:
LT: Tyron Smith
LG: Tyler Smith
C: Tyler Biadasz
RG: Zack Martin
RT: Terence Steele
This all barring that Martin reports to camp, Steele can fully recover from an ACL injury, and Tyron Smith can stay healthy. If anything else happens, we know that these guys can shift positions and sides of the line and that it’s an open competition for a spot on the line rotation.
Defensive Interior
In: Mazi Smith, Johnathan Hankins, Osa Odighizuwa, Chauncey Golston
Maybe: Viliami Fehoko Jr., Quinton Bohanna, Neville Gallimore
Out: Isaac Alarcón
The Cowboys’ run defense was somewhat of a kryptonite last season. But with the team retaining Hankins and drafting Mazi Smith in the first round, the trenches will be stuffed for opposing offenses. This room is stacked and shored up going into camp.
All eyes will be on Smith at camp since it will be the first time we see him in full force, but Odighizuwa will help be a force in the trenches this season. Gallimore and Bohanna continue to grow under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. They shouldn’t be underestimated, although they must stay high to solidify their spots on the D-line.
Last season, Golston made his stamp as a tackling machine with 54 total tackles. If he can get on track to keep that standard, earning a spot on the 53-man roster should be easy.
Viliami Fehoko will be someone to watch and see how he looks in pads, getting reps with the starters.
EDGE
In: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Dante Fowler Jr., Dorance Armstrong
Out: Tyrus Wheat, Durrell Johnson
Micah Parsons has continued to show what a versatile player he is. After bulking up in the offseason, we expect Parsons to play even more on the edge. The extra bulk can only help his strength to force his way to opposing quarterbacks.
With DeMarcus Lawrence entering his 10th season and Dante Fowler entering his ninth, they are staples to the Cowboys’ DL.
This is the year for young talent to step up and make a name for themselves. Sam Williams is expected to take a big jump after coming off of his rookie season with four sacks and one forced fumble.
Linebacker
In: Leighton Vander Esch, Damone Clark, Jabril Cox
Maybe: Malik Jefferson, DeMarvion Overshown, Devin Harper
Out: Takk McKinley, Isaiah Land
Vander Esch had a career revamp last season, stacking up numbers that were second-best to his rookie year. It will be exciting to see what he can build upon this year if he can stay healthy, especially as Quinn deemed him last year’s “thermostat” of the defense.
Clark had an incredible rookie season, and his second-year jump will be one to watch as he will help set the tone for the defense.
Don’t count out the Cowboys’ third-round 2023 draft pick, either. Overshown has the potential to be polished into a solid player within this room.
Cornerback
In: Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmore, DaRon Bland
Maybe: C.J. Goodwin, Eric Scott Jr., Jourdan Lewis, Nahshon Wright, Kelvin Joseph
Out: Sheldrick Redwine, D’Angelo Mandell, Myles Brooks
The Cowboys’ cornerback room needed some extra attention during the offseason, and that’s precisely what it got. The two staples of this room are now Diggs and Gilmore, who should be one of the top-corner duos in the NFL. With Diggs entering the final year of his contract, this could be his “prove-it” year to get a long-term contract solidified.
There are still question marks with Lewis, but if he plays at a high level at camp, he could quickly come back into the mix.
Don’t sleep on Eric Scott Jr., either. The rookie sixth-round pick fits the mold of a productive CB, especially with his wingspan.
Safety
In: Jayron Kearse, Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker
Maybe: Juanyeh Thomas, Israel Mukuamu
Out: Markquese Bell, Tyler Coyle
The three-headed Cowboys’ safety monster should be locked and loaded at the season’s start. Kearse, Wilson, and Hooker are all on track to keep the safety room playing at a high level.
Special Teams
In: KaVontae Turpin, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
Maybe: Malik Davis, Deuce Vaughn
Although Turpin has fortified himself as the team’s returner, it will be interesting to see if the Cowboys want to use Davis and Vaughn in some form of a rotation.
We also know that Dallas is high on versatile guys who can impact their promotion groups and special teams. If a player can make a good impression on special teams, it could be the difference in making the final roster.
Kicker
Maybe: Tristan Vizcaino, Brandon Aubrey
There’s no telling which kicker will take the roster spot for the Cowboys. There are more unknowns than anything when it comes to the kicker conversation.
Vizcaino has a 91.7 kicking percentage and NFL experience that could translate well at camp. As for Aubrey, he came from the USFL and had a soccer background before becoming a kicker.
The kicker room still needs to be shored up for the Cowboys before the season. It would not be surprising to see a free agent veteran kicker come into the mix adding even more competition like we’ve seen in the past.
But only time will tell. Regardless, the decision will come down to who can be the most accurate throughout camp and the preseason opportunities they get.