With the Dallas Cowboys starting week four of training camp following a loss in their first preseason game of 2023, the final roster cut is inching closer and closer.
The Cowboys’ rookie class has shown that the competition will only be more intense as the preseason continues.
Dallas Cowboys 53-Man Roster Projection: Offense
Quarterback
Cooper Rush should remain the backup to Dak Prescott.
Will Grier struggled in the first preseason game against the Jaguars to get the ball out quickly. The best thing he can do right now is to continue learning under Prescott and Rush.
Running Back
This competition continues to change almost every day.
During the game, Deuce Vaughn was not only the star of the running back room but the star of the show. He had the most rushing yards in the game (50) and had one touchdown. He was able to find holes and play with the physicality that is needed in the position.
Rico Dowdle continues showcasing his speed and has stayed on top of the competition. He did have a fumble during the game, but it looks like he wasn’t the only one at fault for this. However, ball security will need to be addressed.
Malik Davis didn’t have his best game and needs work on pass pro.
What will be interesting is to keep an eye on the fullback position and if that could add another back to this room and take away a tight end on the final roster.
Sean McKeon and Hunter Luepke could play a significant role at fullback and could determine how the rest of the dominos will fall in the final roster numbers. There wasn’t enough action from either of the two to put a fullback on this list just yet.
It is worth noting that Lipke’s blocking was on point throughout the night.
- Tony Pollard
- Rico Dowdle
- Deuce Vaughn
Wide Receiver
Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin continue to impress. However, Turpin needs to work on his ball security after muffing his first punt in the preseason and having some fault in Dowdle’s fumble.
Tolbert did get an offensive pass interference call during the game in the second quarter. So that will be something he needs to address going forward. Other than that, he had a productive game.
The rookies have made this one of the most competitive ones on the team.
Jalen Brooks has had a great camp so far but didn’t stand out much during the game.
John Stephens Jr. had the most receiving yards (56) during the game and got a touchdown. He has been turning heads, and if he keeps up at this rate, he could easily make the final roster.
- CeeDee Lamb
- Brandin Cooks
- Michael Gallup
- Jalen Tolbert
- KaVontae Turpin
- John Stephens Jr.
Tight End
One of the main takeaways from the game was that Jake Ferguson is ready to take on the starting tight end role for the Cowboys. He had three receptions for 38 yards and displayed his YAC abilities perfectly.
Luke Schoonmaker got to play his first NFL game, and all eyes were on him. He was noticeably good at blocking and helping create holes.
- Jake Ferguson
- Peyton Hendershot
- Luke Schoonmaker
- Sean McKeon
Offensive Line
Zack Martin got his payday just in time. The Cowboys’ offensive line was one of the most concerning aspects of the game for the team.
Asim Richards and T.J. Bass both played a good game when they were in the rotation.
Richards was getting off of the snap well. Meanwhile, Bass had a good body position.
- Tyron Smith
- Zack Martin
- Tyler Smith
- Terence Steele
- Tyler Biadasz
- Asim Richards
- Matt Waletzko
- Matt Farniok
- T.J. Bass
Dallas Cowboys 53-Man Roster Projection: Defense
(Spoiler: The safeties are a good group.)
Interior Defensive Line
Despite criticism Mazi Smith faced in his debut, he played well being double and triple-teamed. Smith being this much of a focus for opposing teams can open a lot up for other guys around him.
Neville Gallimore disrupted the pocket.
- Neville Gallimore
- Johnathan Hankins
- Mazi Smith
- Osa Odighizuwa
- Quinton Bohanna
Edge
Sam Williams had a good game and could make plays for himself and set others up around him to do the same. Williams was putting pressure in the pocket and was seen working on his hands with Micah Parsons during Monday’s practice.
This group is going to force quarterbacks to release the ball quickly.
- Micah Parsons
- Dante Fowler Jr.
- DeMarcus Lawrence
- Sam Williams
- Dorance Armstrong
Linebacker
Damone Clark was flying around the field with the reps he got. The communication he has been working on and perfecting with Leighton Vander Esch was fully displayed during the game.
DeMarvion Overshown continues to impress, showing how he can hold up to bigger players. He is physical on the field and a leader in the making. He had a big third-down stop and stopped the run.
- Leighton Vander Esch
- Malik Jefferson
- Damone Clark
- DeMarvion Overshown
- Jabril Cox
Cornerback
During the game, this group showed glimmers of hope.
Nahshon Wright suffered a high ankle sprain during the game. He has had a fantastic camp and has been good with pass breakups.
C.J. Goodwin continues to show his versatility. He was even named the special teams’ captain for the game. He has speed and was a threat for special teams, even beating out blockers.
- Trevon Diggs
- Stephon Gilmore
- DaRon Bland
- Nahshon Wright
- C.J. Goodwin
Safety
Israel Mukuamu had a great game, but his best play came when he broke up a two-point conversation in the end zone.
Markquese Bell is another name you don’t want to count out of the mix. He can diagnose plays well and had the most defensive tackles during the game.
Juanyeh Thomas had a fantastic game starting with the interception he got off Trevor Lawrence early in the game. You can’t count him out of being on the final roster.
- Jayron Kearse
- Donovan Wilson
- Malik Hooker
- Israel Mukuamu
- Markquese Bell
- Juanyeh Thomas
Dallas Cowboys 53-Man Roster Projection: Special Teams
Brandon Aubrey remains the only kicker on the current roster for the Cowboys. He keeps everyone on the edge of their seats after missing an extra-point attempt during the game.
But, to be fair, Aubrey made all his other extra points and kicking attempts in the game.
Kicker
Punter
Long Snapper
Complete Projected Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart
Quarterback (2)
Running Back (3)
- Tony Pollard
- Rico Dowdle
- Deuce Vaughn
Wide Receiver (6)
- CeeDee Lamb
- Brandin Cooks
- Michael Gallup
- KaVontae Turpin
- Jalen Tolbert
- John Stephens Jr.
Tight End (4)
- Jake Ferguson
- Luke Schoonmaker
- Peyton Hendershot
- Sean McKeon
Offensive Line (9)
- Tyron Smith
- Zack Martin
- Tyler Smith
- Terence Steele
- Tyler Biadasz
- Asim Richards
- Matt Waletzko
- Matt Farniok
- T.J. Bass
Interior Defensive Line (5)
- Neville Gallimore
- Johnathan Hankins
- Mazi Smith
- Osa Odighizuwa
- Quinton Bohanna
Edge (5)
- Micah Parsons
- DeMarcus Lawrence
- Dante Fowler Jr.
- Dorance Armstrong
- Sam Williams
Linebacker (5)
- Leighton Vander Esch
- Malik Jefferson
- Damone Clark
- DeMarvion Overshown
- Jabril Cox
Cornerback (5)
- Trevon Diggs
- Stephon Gilmore
- DaRon Bland
- Nahshon Wright
- C.J. Goodwin
Safety (6)
- Jayron Kearse
- Donovan Wilson
- Malik Hooker
- Israel Mukuamu
- Markquese Bell
- Juanyeh Thomas
Kicker (1)
Punter (1)
Long Snapper (1)
