Predicting Dallas Cowboys 53-Man Roster Entering July – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated
There is still time for the 53 to shake out, but it is not too early to predict those names.
Wide Receiver (5):
CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
Ryan Flournoy
KaVontae Turpin
Anthony Smith
Notable Cuts: Jonathan Mingo, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Tight End (3):
Jake Ferguson
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Michael Trigg
Notable Cuts: Luke Schoonmaker
Offensive Line (9):
Tyler Guyton
Tyler Smith
Cooper Beebe
Tyler Booker
Terence Steele
Drew Shelton
Nate Thomas
T.J. Bass
Nick Leverett
Offensive Summary
The Cowboys go with three quarterbacks here,
but it’s possible they stick with just two. At this point, it’s hard to predict which backup will secure the No. 2 spot, but there’s reason to believe in Sam Howell, who isn’t as exciting as Joe Milton, but could be more consistent.
At running back, Phil Mafah edges out Malik Davis, but the Cowboys would be thrilled to keep Davis on the practice squad for depth. One of the tougher cuts on offense will be at wide receiver, where minicamp star Marquez Valdes-Scantling is left off the roster. He has been solid in offensive sets, but his lack of special teams experience is his undoing.
Cowboys Roster Cuts Could Include 2 Key Secondary Contributors – Mark Heaney, Inside The Star
Camp competitions are already underway.
Reddy Steward & Trikweze Bridges: Tons of Playing Time in ’25 to Cut in ’26?
If you managed to stay plugged in to the Cowboys’ defense last season, despite your instincts telling you to look away, you’re probably thinking this is a bit of a harsh reaction.
After all, Reddy Steward played in all 17 games for the Cowboys last season, and by the end of the year, he finished with a ton of defensive snaps; 63 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three passes defended, and a forced fumble is not a bad return at all for a player Dallas claimed off waivers.
Trikweze Bridges did not have the same full-season impact, but he did play in 16 games and had moments as well. His interception against Denver was the highlight, especially considering how much the defense struggled to force turnovers throughout the year.
Trikwese Bridges gets an interception on the #Cowboys first defensive drive. Looked like Bo Nix straight up missed his receiver bad on the throw and threw it behind him. Dallas takes over at their own 48.
The problem for these guys is the aforementioned additions to the unit. The front office was not comfortable rolling into 2026 with these two at the front of the line again.
Cowboys turnaround may hinge on these rookies who weren’t 1st rounders – Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire
Dallas is relying on several new faces.
Linebacker Jaishawn Barham
Jaishawn Barham could be the future of the position. If the fanbase wants a linebacker to break out, he should be the guy. If DeMarvion Overshown becomes an All-Pro in 2026, it would be a risk to pay the free agent off a single healthy season. If Dee Winters develops into a sure thing as a starter, his background playing for the San Francisco 49ers successfully and then developing further in Dallas could lead to a bidding war.
If Barham shows he can be the guy, it gives Dallas their star at the cost of a third-round pick. Instead of paying a free agent a top contract, they have their centerpiece on a controllable deal.
Defensive end LT Overton
Dallas did a great job of getting guys who fit what Parker needs from his defense. Two underrated moves were signing Jonathan Bullard and drafting LT Overton. Most teams look for defensive linemen who are pass rushers, but the Cowboys’ new defense needs defensive ends who can hold up to blocks from guards to keep the opposing run game in check. This is what Bullard has done his entire career, but he is older and on a one-year deal.
Overton gives them this for the next four years if he can do for Dallas what he did for Texas A&M and Alabama in college. He also has an extremely high upside at only 21. Dane Brugler had him in his top players going into the 2025 season. Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams can slide outside and play that position, but having someone built to play that role allows both those defensive tackles to be stars at their preferred spots.
NFL won’t be able to ignore this hidden Cowboys stud for much longer – Jason Kandel, The Landry Hat
Beebe will get the opportunity this season to anchor the offensive line.
While going over some potential breakout offensive players in 2026, Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice finally gave the third-year lineman some credit. He expects Beebe to really improve his perception in league circles this season to the point that he’ll become a household name beyond Cowboys fans.
“Beebe is a player whose build I once described as like Spongebob Squarepants,” Tice wrote. “The Cowboys took him in the third round of the 2024 draft, bumped him to center, and it looks like they’ve found their next long-term answer at the position… He’s also created a great battery with Dak Prescott in how they communicate pre-snap.”
This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone be compared to SpongeBob Squarepants and it be meant as a compliment. Tice noted that despite his lack of length, the 25-year-old has bulk and does a good job of maximizing that. And he has developed a strong rapport with Dak Prescott.
It’s hard to be surprised about what he’s accomplished. During his time at Kansas State, he was a two-time Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and a two-time All-American. He was built to be a pro-ready lineman who would instantly offer a team some much-needed stability in the trenches.
Daily discussion question: Do you believe the Cowboys will make any moves before leaving to Oxnard?
