DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys are now through two preseason games and it’s fair to wonder where they sit with their roster construction. Their record is even at 1-1, but the preseason also includes the work being done in training camp.
With the practices reaching a fever pitch, this is a current best guess at what the 53-man roster could look like for Dallas come September:
Quarterback (3) - Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
This is one area that isn’t complicated for the Cowboys, Prescott is the starter and Rush is his backup. Lance has improved from Week 1 to Week 2 of the preseason, but it’s clear that the team believes in Rush more at this point to be Prescott’s understudy.
Running back (4) - Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke
Three of these four seem set, but the order isn’t known. Expect Elliott to be the starter, with Dowdle working closely behind. Their overall output could be as a tandem with neither getting a bulk of the looks.
The last spot comes down to veteran RBs Royce Freeman, Malik Davis, and second-year man Deuce Vaughn. Freeman might be the better overall player, but the juice that Vaughn brings might tip the scales in his favor. Vaughn led the unit in rushing yards against the Raiders and showed more explosiveness, which is what the offense needs.
Luepke has earned praise from head coach Mike McCarthy and feels like a shoo-in to make it as a fullback.
Wide receiver (6) - CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy
Assuming the Lamb holdout doesn’t reach the regular season, he’ll be on the field for Week 1 opposite Cooks. Turpin’s spot is set, and the hope is that he sees more time at WR this year.
Tolbert and Brooks have been the most consistent wideouts in camp and through two preseason games, which makes their inclusion a safe bet. Flournoy wins the last spot at the position tentatively after his solid game against the Raiders.
The Cowboys have a few other WRs that they could keep but can likely get them onto the practice squad. Flournoy, however, might be an exception to that thought process which lands him a place on the roster.
Tight end (3) - Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens
The Cowboys usually go heavy here, but with Luepke’s ability to line up as an H-back, the team doesn’t need to carry four TEs this season. It appears as though Stephens will beat out Peyton Hendershot, Noah Fant and Brevyn Spann-Ford for the last spot at the position.
Offensive line (10) - Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Zack Martin, Terence Steele, Chuma Edoga, Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass, Asim Richards, Josh Ball
After being worried all offseason about their depth and quality on the offensive line, the Cowboys seem to have a strong group and an influx of talent. Ball looks like he has finally turned the corner and has played well in the exhibition contests, so he’s the final lineman – and player – to make the cut.
Edoga is likely to end up on IR to start the season, which could open a spot for another inclusion, or the team could stick with nine.
Defensive line (9) - DeMarcus Lawrence, Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Micah Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, Chauncey Golston, Jordan Phillips, Carl Lawson, Al-Quadin Muhammad
This group has a lot of moving parts but the top eight feels safe. The last player included should be written in pencil. The Cowboys brought in two veterans last week and more could be acquired after final cuts or via trade before the season starts.
Nine feels light for a very top-heavy group that has too much uncertainty and not enough quality as it stands now. Watch for this position to be upgraded at some point this season.
Linebacker (5) - Damone Clark, Eric Kendricks, Marist Liufau, DeMarvion Overshown, Nick Vigil
The top four here are easy to predict, but that last spot remains up for grabs. Vigil makes it because of his familiarity in Mike Zimmer’s defense and flexibility to play a few different spots. This is another area that could be due upgrades but it has been a stronger than anticipated unit in camp.
Cornerback (5) - Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Caelen Carson, Andrew Booth
Dallas could have the top CB duo in the league in Bland and Diggs, with the latter getting healthier and looking like his old self and the former coming off an All-Pro campaign.
Lewis is the top slot corner, Carson has impressed as a rookie, and Booth has gotten off to a solid start with the Cowboys.
Booth, the former Vikings CB who was acquired two weeks ago, had a good night against the Raiders, even though he had to shake off getting beat in coverage early. Booth tackled extremely well in the win, and he offers special teams help.
Safety (5) - Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas, Israel Mukuamu
This is perhaps the deepest group of safeties for the Cowboys in recent memory and maybe the strongest position group on the team. All five seem like good bets to make the roster, especially with the versatility of Mukuamu to also line up at cornerback.
Specialists (3) - Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
The Cowboys boast a strong special teams unit led by former All-Pro Aubrey and former Pro Bowler Anger.
Do you think the Cowboys have a 53-man roster that will be good enough to compete in the NFC East? Share your thoughts with Ben on X (formerly Twitter) @BenGrimaldi.
