As of now, the Dallas Cowboys have trimmed their roster to 53 players following the preseason. Many fans breathed a sigh of relief when standout receiver Camden Brown made the team. The Cowboys also released Sam Williams along with several others at one key position. Surprisingly, Dallas held on to both Joe Milton and Sam Howell.
For the Cowboys, the job isn’t complete. Sunday’s cuts provided clarity in some areas but ushered in more questions in others. Here are four remaining questions after Dallas’
roster cuts.
Who is RB3?
The Cowboys stunned observers by releasing fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue, who possessed electric speed and was firmly in the mix for the RB2 job behind Javonte Williams. Blue led the team in rushing against Arizona and sat out the preseason finale—moves that typically signal roster security. Instead, Dallas trimmed the backfield hard, also cutting Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda.
Malik Davis has been the most consistent backup all offseason and now sits as RB2. Hunter Luepke can handle short-yardage and fullback duties, but he is not a traditional runner. Dallas currently lacks a reliable third running back. Cutting three backs only makes sense if the team plans to add one from the waiver wire or free-agent market—and that addition is clearly needed.
Do they add an outside cornerback?
The initial 53-man roster carries five cornerbacks, with Caleb Downs listed as a defensive back. Ameer Speed is mainly a special-teams player, and Caelen Carson failed to impress in camp or the preseason. Devin Moore is on injured reserve; Reddy Steward and Josh Butler were released.
DaRon Bland’s durability remains a concern, and Shavon Revel still need to prove he can do it when the games count. The Cowboys have already shown interest in veteran Adoree’ Jackson (a natural fit under Christian Parker) and have been linked to bigger names such as Christian Gonzalez. Dallas must improve the cornerback room. Standing pat leaves the secondary vulnerable.
Is there a backup nose tackle?
Tommy Dunn, the Kansas UDFA, produced enough positive snaps to make a case as the reserve nose. The Cowboys disagreed and cut him, along with Jay Toia (who showed flashes against Arizona but struggled against the Saints).
The Cowboys could rotate starters Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, and Quinnen Williams through different positions. No one else on the current roster is a natural fit as a 0-tech backup. This is a clear, under-addressed need that Dallas still has not solved. They may use practice squad callups to augment the room during the season.
Are they thin at inside linebacker?
The top of the depth chart is strong: Dee Winters is productive, Shemar James is progressing in Year 2, DeMarvion Overshown is a playmaker, and rookie Jaishawn Barham has exceeded expectations. Carrying only four linebackers at such a physical position is a calculated risk.
Overshown’s injury history and Barham’s inexperience leave the group exposed. The Cowboys have long been connected to veteran additions. They cut Curtis Robinson, Justin Barron and Langston Patterson. Keeping just four is a deliberate choice that could prove costly once the season’s attrition begins. The saving note is that Robinson intends to re-sign with the practice squad.
What are your big questions around the initial roster?
