Cowboys history of keeping 6 WRs on Initial 53-man roster (Cam Brown!)

This might be perhaps one of the most non-sensical preseason debates of modern Dallas Cowboyslore. Back and forth, forth and back, content creators are arguing over whether or not the Cowboys will keep rookie sensation Camden Brown when they announce their cutdowns to 53 players by Sunday afternoon. Brown is seen as being locked in a battle with previous-flame-out Jonathan Mingo for the fifth wideout position, and it's being framed as an either-or situation.

But why? The Cowboys have had zero problems keeping six wideouts on their initial and Week 1 rosters for the better part of the Will McClay era. Just because they have two All-Pro receivers in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, that is supposed to mean they all of a sudden are going to skimp

on a position that religiously deals with injuries? The idea that because Brown is a bit slower than most would like, and that he isn't excelling on special teams right away, he can't help the team enough in the now is laughable.

Brown is already, out-the-box elite at catching the football; better known as the No. 1 skill needed for the job.

Camden Brown

hole e shit pic.twitter.com/BKP1RmTg7E

— FergSZN (@FergSZN) August 27, 2026

Undrafted rookie Camden Brown might’ve just played his way onto the Cowboys roster 👀🔥

3 REC, 62 YDS, 2 TD vs Seattle. pic.twitter.com/rudhgYHa38

— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) August 17, 2026

Camden Brown with an impressive TD grab pic.twitter.com/jDx160UitH

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) August 8, 2026

DO NOT CUT CAMDEN BROWNpic.twitter.com/kHQeyzokrx

— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) August 20, 2026

In 2025, the Cowboys carried just five wideouts initially; they also took five running backs when including FB Hunter Luepke. In 2024 they technically had only five wide receivers, because CeeDee Lamb was on the exempt list but would be activated before Week 1. This while also keeping Deuce Vaughn among four running backs while also carrying four tight ends.

The important number isn't going to be the total number of wideouts; it's going to be the total number of skill positions. This has ranged from anywhere as low as 10 (in 2021 due to COVID) to as high as 15 (in 2017). The 12-year window averages exactly 13 skill positions a year, so six wideouts leaves seven spots for RB + TE, which is on par with most projections.

The battle isn't really Brown vs Mingo, it's Brown vs Phil Mafah (or Israel Abanikanda) and Michael Trigg, and in that frame, it would be wild to see the Cowboys pivot away from Brown.

And again, the Cowboys often carry six wide receivers, including all of the guys who have wowed them in training camp, even if they didn't end up becoming stars. Names like Jalen Brooks, Dennis Houston, Malik Turner and such. In 2022, before teams could designate two players for returnable IR without adding them to the roster, they took eight, including the injured Parker Washington and Michael Gallup. In other words, they were hell bent on having six wideouts in Week 1.

Here's a look at things during the McClay era, starting in 2014.

• 2025 (5)
  • CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, Kavontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy
  • 13 skill positions
• 2024 (5*)
  • Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy
  • 13 skill positions
  • Lamb on exempt list, activated before Week 1
• 2023
  • Jalen Brooks, Kavontae Turpin, Brandin Cooks, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Jalen Tolbert
  • 13 skill positions
• 2022 (7*)
  • Noah Brown, Simi Fehoko, Michael Gallup, Dennis Houston, CeeDee Lamb, Kavontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert,
  • (Parker Washington to IR)
  • 14 skill positions
• 2021 (5)
  • Amari Cooper, Simi Fehoko, Michael Gallup, Cedrick Wilson
  • 10 skill positions (2 on COVID list)
• 2020
  • Noah Brown, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, Malik Turner, Cedrick Wilson
  • 14 skill positions
• 2019 (5)
  • Tavon Austin, Amari Cooper, Randall Cobb, Michael Gallup, Devin Smith
  • 12 skill positions
• 2018
  • Tavon Austin, Cole Beasley, Michael Gallup, Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson, Terrance Williams
  • 13 skill positions
• 2017
  • Cole Beasley, Noah Brown, Dez Bryant, Brice Butler, Ryan Switzer, Terrance Williams
  • 15 skill positions
• 2016 (5)
  • Cole Beasley, Dez Bryant, Brice Butler, Lucky Whitehead, Terrance Williams
  • 14 skill positions (6 running backs!)
• 2015 (5)
  • Cole Beasley, Dez Bryant, Devin Street, Lucky Whitehead, Terrance Williams
  • 13 skill positions
• 2014 (5)
  • Cole Beasley, Dez Bryant, Dwayne Harris, Devin Street, Terrance Williams
  • 12 skill positions

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys history of keeping 6 WRs on Initial 53-man roster (Cam Brown!)