The Dallas Cowboys recently released their first unofficial depth chart of the year after the scrimmage with the Los Angeles Rams. This is the first breadcrumb the team has given as to how they plan on potentially shaping this year’s 53-man roster. It also provides clarity as to how many new starters they may have in 2026.
Offensively, things will look much the same as they did a season ago. The Cowboys were able to retain all of their
starters from last year after re-signing RB Javonte Williams and using the franchise tag to retain WR George Pickens’ services. There are some depth issues that need to be sorted out, but overall this is a talented and dangerous offense, one of the best in the league.
The defensive side of the ball is an entirely different story. After having one of the worst defensive units in 2025, and one of the worst in the organization’s history, the Cowboys decided to pretty much wipe the slate clean. From Christian Parker and his coaching staff to the personnel, this group will look much different from a season ago and hopefully be much more productive.
According to the first unofficial depth chart, it’s conceivable to see the Cowboys new-look 3-4 defense feature more than a half-dozen new starters this year. From the defensive front to the back end of the secondary each position has at least one new starter, others potentially more than one.
New projected defensive starters
- DT Otito Ogbonnia
- OLB Rashan Gary
- LB DeMarvion Overshown
- LB Dee Winters
- CB Cobie Durant*
- CB Shavon Revel*
- DB Caleb Downs
- S Jalen Thompson
*currently battling for the starting job
Ogbonnia and Gary immediately upgrade Dallas’ run defense, with the latter hopefully improving their pass rush as well. Overshown and Winters should both be upgrade linebacker from a season ago and Durant/Revel, whichever ends up starting, along with Thompson and Downs should all be significant upgrades on the backend of the Cowboys secondary.
There is one name to watch who could still be competing for a starting job. Rookie LB Jaishawn Barham is someone to keep an eye on. He is currently dealing with a groin injury that isn’t considered serious, but prior to that his name was on everybody’s lips as someone who is standing out in practice as a run defender and in pass coverage.
All in all, from Christian Parker and his new coaching staff to the new additions to the roster, especially the starting ones, early returns about the Cowboys new-look defense are mostly of the positive nature. They performed much better than expected in the scrimmage with the Rams and hope to do the same against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 of preseason.
Barring some unforeseen trade, although there’s quite a bit of talk that Jerry Jones and Company are exploring that avenue, we foresee the Cowboys having a total of seven new starters once a decision is made about Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel. And yes, we’re also including rookie Caleb Downs in that projection.
Offensively we know what to expect from Dallas’ starters. They will once again be one of the more dangerous and feared units in the league. Defensively though, the jury is still out. They’ve had a lot of turnover on that side of the ball with numerous new starters, however, all signs point to them being much improved throughout the defense.
