The Dallas Cowboys are now through two preseason games, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has limited time to figure out before cutting down to 53 players. On Monday, he hinted at some surprises being in the works, with guys making the roster that aren’t currently being projected by the media to do so, and vice versa.
Well, Coach, challenge accepted. Here’s another attempt at predicting the Cowboys’ 53-man roster after the team’s uninspiring loss to the Ravens on Saturday. We’ve added in some surprises as Schotty suggested.
Quarterback
Dak Prescott
Will Grier
Joe Milton
Schottenheimer said that Joe Milton will start the final preseason game, elaborating that the coaching staff is still trying to evaluate him while knowing what they have in Will Grier. That makes it sound like Grier will be relied on as the QB2, with Milton still needing to show he has the makings of an NFL caliber quarterback someday.
Of course, it’s a moot point, for now, with Dak Prescott the obvious starter anyway.
Running back
Javonte Williams
Miles Sanders
Jaydon Blue
Deuce Vaughn
Hunter Luepke
Here’s where one surprise may pop up. Not only could the Cowboys opt to go heavy at running back, but they’ll keep Deuce Vaughn over seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah, who probably ends up on the practice squad. Mafah has been solid in the preseason, but Vaughn offers a unique skillset that Schottenheimer is sure to value. He can also contribute on special teams, something that often makes these decisions.
Elsewhere at the position, Javonte Williams is the only running back to be a healthy scratch through two preseason games, which hints at his standing in this room. Miles Sanders could be in danger if Jaydon Blue goes off against the Falcons on Friday, especially after a middling performance against the Ravens, but for now he’s likely safe.
Wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
KaVontae Turpin
Jalen Tolbert
Traeshon Holden
The top four are all locks, unless the Cowboys are suddenly able to trade Jalen Tolbert for something really valuable. But Prescott has great chemistry with Tolbert, making a trade unlikely. Instead, he’ll alternate with KaVontae Turpin as the third receiver in this offense.
After those four, though, it’ll only be undrafted rookie Traeshon Holden. This is partially due to Jonathan Mingo likely being put on the short term injured reserve, with a 4-6 week timeline to recover from his injury, but also a reflection of how much more this team is going to use multiple tight end sets. Neither Turpin or Tolbert will be playing 70% or more of offensive snaps, so the need for depth behind them isn’t as great.
Tight end
Jake Ferguson
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Tyler Neville
Speaking of those tight ends, here’s another surprise: Luke Schoonmaker isn’t going to be on the roster. Whether it’s because of a trade or being outright released, Schoonmaker hasn’t done enough this preseason to show he fits what Schottenheimer is looking for. Jake Ferguson clearly has, and Brevyn Spann-Ford was getting first team reps over Schoonmaker before his injury.
So who takes Schoonmaker’s place? Tyler Neville hasn’t been given an overwhelming amount of run thus far, but he’s loved in the locker room. His own life story demonstrates the kind of grit and perseverance that Schottenheimer wants to instill in this team, so giving him a (well-earned) roster spot makes a lot of sense. Plus, Hunter Luepke will realistically be the third tight end anyway, giving the Cowboys the chance to bring Neville along slower than if he were being asked to play on offense right away.
Offensive line
Tyler Guyton
Tyler Smith
Cooper Beebe
Tyler Booker
Terence Steele
Nate Thomas
T.J. Bass
Brock Hoffman
La’el Collins
The starting five is set, so long as Tyler Guyton – who Schottenheimer said on Monday is coming along well – is healthy enough to suit up and avoid the short term injured reserve. After that, it’s really a question of depth, and who can play where.
Nate Thomas has earned plenty of praise already this offseason, and Brock Hoffman is practically the human embodiment of Schottenheimer’s desired culture. Meanwhile, La’el Collins and T.J. Bass both offer broad positional versatility, with Collins specifically adding a veteran voice in the locker room that’s needed after Zack Martin’s retirement.
Defensive end
Micah Parsons
Dante Fowler
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Sam Williams
Marshawn Kneeland
James Houston
Assuming Micah Parsons does, indeed, play this season, he’s an obvious one here. Dante Fowler, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Sam Williams, and Marshawn Kneeland also seem logical, given their respective journeys with the team to this point.
Then there’s James Houston. The Cowboys don’t really need this many edge rushers, especially if Parsons is playing, but Houston has done nothing but make plays since joining the team. It’s hard for a coaching staff that’s trying to establish a culture to not make room for a guy who’s done everything asked of him.
Defensive tackle
Osa Odighizuwa
Solomon Thomas
Perrion Winfrey
Jay Toia
Earnest Brown IV
Here’s another surprise: Mazi Smith isn’t on the roster. He’s looked bad in both preseason games, and practices haven’t been much different. It’s hard to blame him after yet another summer of mandated weight change, but Smith simply isn’t good enough to start for the Cowboys.
Taking his place is the duo of Perrion Winfrey and Earnest Brown IV, both of whom have done what Smith needed to do this preseason. Neither of them have been dominant, but together (along with promising but inconsistent rookie Jay Toia) they offer a reliable run-stopping presence alongside Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas.
Linebacker
Jack Sanborn
Kenneth Murray
Marist Liufau
Shemar James
Jack Sanborn made his Cowboys debut Saturday night and looked the part. He’ll be a productive field general for Matt Eberflus, while Marist Liufau offers a thumper mentality to pair with Kenneth Murray’s rangy athleticism. Rookie Shemar James has showcased physicality, too, and offers special teams upside.
Would Eberflus, a linebacker coach by trade, really go this light at the position though? It would be a bit of a surprise, but it may also hint at the team’s optimism about DeMarvion Overshown’s timetable. That, and a general lack of needed development from Damone Clark, could lead to a four-man position room for now.
Cornerback
DaRon Bland
Kaiir Elam
Zion Childress
Israel Mukuamu
Michael Ojemudia
Monday brought with it the signing of free agent Michael Ojemudia, a former third-round pick who played for Eberflus in Chicago. He fits the prototype of corners in this defense and already knows the scheme, so he could end up with a role on the team.
Both Zion Childress and Israel Mukuamu have been consistent playmakers all preseason. Andrew Booth Jr., Kemon Hall, and Troy Pride have all made convincing arguments as well, but it’s hard to envision Childress or Mukuamu missing the cut, especially with the latter’s versatility.
It’s also worth noting that this projection assumes Trevon Diggs, Shavon Revel, and Caelen Carson all remain with the organization in some sort of injury-related reserve status. If that doesn’t happen, then things would obviously look very different here.
Safety
Malik Hooker
Donovan Wilson
Juanyeh Thomas
Markquese Bell
It’s hard to imagine any of these four not making the roster, or anyone other than these four making it at safety. Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson will be the starters, and Juanyeh Thomas offers depth at either spot as well as in the slot, if necessary. Similarly, Markquese Bell’s prior experience at linebacker makes it easier to go with just four linebackers until Overshown is healthy.
Special teams
Brandon Aubrey
Bryan Anger
Trent Sieg
CJ Goodwin
There’s been zero indication that any of these guys’ roster spots are in jeopardy, and rightfully so.
