Dallas Cowboys 53-Man Roster and Practice Squad Projection

Who is making the 53-man roster for the Dallas Cowboys? These calls are never easy, but some will be left without a job. Some names have already been released from Dallas, but here is how we believe the 53-man roster and practice squad will shake out.

Make note we have some players who will start on PUP and won’t count against the roster, including receiver Jonathan Mingo.

QUARTERBACKS (2): Dak Prescott, Joe Milton III

The Cowboys will obviously have Prescott atop the depth chart. Joe Milton had flashes of promise in the preseason, and other times he looked completely lost. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys go looking for a third veteran, but Will Grier likely won’t be on this roster.

RUNNING BACKS (4): Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Jaydon Blue, Hunter Luepke

I really want to see Phil Mafah on this 53-man roster, but news broke minutes ago that Mafah will begin the season on IR. This gives the Cowboys more time to ponder on Hunter Luepke’s spot on this roster. Luepke does plenty on this offense and can even serve as an extra tight end, so we’ll see if the Cowboys move off Luepke once Mafah is healthy. Deuce Vaughn is another name let go, and while he is the most unique of these running backs in terms of a skill-set, he isn’t making enough noise to get on the field.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5): CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks

We are high on Traeshon Holden, but I feel like the Cowboys try to sneak Holden onto the practice squad. Brooks was on the bubble for me, but he has made some spectacular plays in the preseason to keep him on for another season. Likewise, the Cowboys will try to find a place on the practice squad for Ryan Flournoy.

TIGHT ENDS (3): Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford

There could’ve been a world where Schoonmaker got traded by tomorrow’s deadline, but since Spann-Ford got injured earlier in camp, this likely keeps room for Luke Schoonmaker to stay. The Cowboys have already parted ways with Tyler Neville and injury prone John Stephens, Jr. but could keep Princeton Fant. Instead, they might sneak Fant onto the practice squad.

STARTING OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (5): Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele

I’m splitting the linemen up because this needed to be addressed. A clear visual of the five starters (when healthy) is a good indicator of where the needs are at the reserve linemen spots.

RESERVE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (5): Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass, Nate Thomas, Hakeem Adeniji, Ajani Cornelius

The Cowboys intentionality to run the ball and with offensive line woes being a problem, I see them keeping ten offensive linemen on this roster. Hoffman and Bass are familiar with the system and are locks to be on this roster, while Ajani Cornelius has won a job solely based on his flawless preseason play.

DEFENSIVE ENDS (7): Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler Jr., Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeirauku, Sam Williams, Tyrus Wheat, James Houston

I believe Parsons will be a Cowboy moving forward, but the edge rushers run deep for the Cowboys. It feels like a lot to keep seven defensive ends, but I believe everyone has earned the right to be a Cowboy. The only ones I could see being excluded are Tyrus Wheat or James Houston, but not both.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES (4): Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas, Perrion Winfrey, Jay Toia

The big ommision is former first-round pick Mazi Smith. I believe the Cowboys will try to strike a deal for almost nothing to get Mazi Smith off this roster. That opens the door for Perrion Winfrey, who has played really well for the Cowboys this preseason. I also have snuck Toia onto the 53-man roster as opposed to the practice squad.

LINEBACKERS (5): Kenneth Murray Jr., Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Shemar James, Damone Clark

There’s speculation that Murray would be a surprise cut, but I highly doubt since they acquired him in a trade earlier this offseason. Jerry Jones will keep his trade assets for as long as he can to make himself look like a genius. Meanwhile, Shemar James and Damone Clark have made enough plays to both stay on this roster. It’ll be interesting to see who gets the shove when Demarvion Overshown comes back and is counted towards the 53.

CORNERBACKS (6): Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam, Kemon Hall, Israel Mukuamu, C.J. Goodwin

The Cowboys are incredibly weak at cornerback and I wouldn’t be surprised if they try making moves to get a ready-to-start player while Diggs and Shavon Revel Jr. come back from their injuries. Revel won’t count against the 53, allowing Mukuamu to sneak in. I only keep CJ Goodwin on this list because of his special teams prowess. Childress could be snuck onto the practice squad, but Andrew Booth will not have a seat on this roster.

SAFETIES (4): Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell

The safeties are not a strongsuit for the Cowboys, with all these players being in consideration for a release or a trade earlier this year. Since the Cowboys didn’t designate Wilson as a post-June 1st cut, he stays on this roster. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bell or Thomas try to take a starting spot from Wilson, but that’s your four.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Bryan Anger, Brandon Aubrey, Trent Sieg

Everyone needs a punter, kicker, and a longsnapper.

PRACTICE SQUAD (16):

• QB Will Grier
• RB Malik Davis
• RB Deuce Vaughn
• WR Ryan Flournoy
• WR Traeshon Holden
• TE Princeton Fant
• OL Saahdiq Charles
• OL Asim Richards
• DE Payton Turner
• DT Tommy Akingbesote
• LB Justin Barron
• CB Andrew Booth
• CB Caelen Carson
• CB Zion Childress
• S Alijah Clark
• S Mike Smith Jr.

What surprises you about this 53-man roster and practice squad projection? Let us know down in the comments below.