The Cowboys should feel pretty good about their roster. Heading into the offseason, they had major holes to address at linebacker, cornerback, and safety. Thanks to an excellent draft and a sensible free agent class, the Cowboys appear to have a well-rounded, formidable team. In fact, they have such good depth in some areas that it will be very competitive as to who will earn snaps during the year. Here are the tightest battles on the depth chart to keep an eye on heading into the summer.
Backup quarterback
Based on
the eye test, Joe Milton is the better raw talent in the battle with Sam Howell. Milton is a mobile threat and has a rocket for an arm. However, in the limited opportunities he had, he hasn’t shown any consistency. Despite having such arm talent, Milton often struggles with his accuracy. For the four games he appeared in last season, Milton had a quarterback rating of 65.1 and a QBR of 52.8. Specifically, Milton’s touch and timing need to improve.
As for Howell, he experienced his most successful season as a second-year starter for the Washington Commanders. That season, he started 17 games and threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 21 touchdowns, but also with 21 interceptions. Howell will force the ball in tight spaces despite not having top-tier arm strength.
This battle has intrigue in case Dak Prescott has to miss extended time (knock on wood). Do the Cowboys feel that Milton’s elite arm traits would be better for their vertical attack with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, or would Howell, as the more experienced passer, better suit the team?
RB2
It’s no mystery who sits atop the depth chart at running back for Dallas. Javonte Williams had a career renaissance in 2025 and was rewarded handsomely with a new contract. Yet, who is after him?
Malik Davis seems to be the favorite. Davis has been with the team since 2022, and when he has gotten his chances, he’s impressed. He’s deceptively fast and has enough speed to break the big one.
Then there is Jaydon Blue, who also possesses terrific speed and flashed some of his skills in the season finale against the New York Giants last year. It took Blue a while to see the field in his rookie season. There was a belief that it had to do with his work habits. However, if he’s ready to take the next step in year two, his talent may be too enticing to keep off the field in a more sizable capacity.
CB2
It’s impossible to narrow down the CB2 position to two players and is more like a battle royale. DaRon Bland needs to have a bounce-back season after he battled injuries and substandard play in 2025. Yet, because Dallas’ contractual investment in him and his prior skins on the wall, we know he’s a lock to start. The opposite cornerback spot is anyone’s guess.
Dallas added former Los Angeles Rams vets Derion Kendrick and Cobie Durant this offseason. Plus, Shavon Revel is heading into year two much healthier than he was last season. Devin Moore, who was taken in the fourth round last month, is also in the battle.
Right now, its a dart throw for who would start opposite of Bland. Kendrick and Durant can play either inside or outside. Plus, Caleb Downs is likely to play multiple spots in the secondary, including the slot. Revel is the ideal cornerback press-man cover corner on the outside, but he’ll have competition from guys who have also started in the NFL.
Swing tackle
It’s a little disappointing that Tyler Guyton hasn’t taken a firm grip on the left tackle spot for the Cowboys. As a rookie, Guyton was flagged for 16 penalties. And on the other side, Terence Steele has his issues, especially when it comes to pass blocking. Between the two, the top backup tackle is an important position.
Nate Thomas will get a chance to work into the fold as well as rookie Drew Shelton, with the latter receiving very kind words from the head coach. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer praised Shelton and how he figures into the Cowboys’ plans at left tackle. Shelton has a shot to be the swing tackle, but Thomas and Ajani Cornelius will also be battling. Whoever wins is one short step away from getting playing time if Guyton or Steele falter or are injured.
