DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys have now wrapped up training camp and their preseason games, which leads to the unfortunate part of the summer. Cutdown day has arrived, and the Cowboys’ coaching staff must decide who stays and who goes as they prepare for the initial 53-man roster.
For some, a lifelong journey to becoming an NFL player is about to pay off. For others, dreams are about to be dashed, while some may never wear an NFL uniform again.
This can’t be fun for any organization’s decision-makers, but it’s a part of the job. Here is the final prediction as to what the 53-man roster will look like for the Cowboys. It’ll change many times over the course of the 2024 season, but this could be how it starts.
Quarterback (3): Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
For anyone wondering if Lance’s five-interception performance would get him cut, Jerry Jones already provided the answer and that answer is yes.
Of course, that yes came before the disappointing outing against the Los Angeles Chargers in the preseason finale and would be a resounding “no” for a guy who hasn’t done much with the Cowboys. But they’ll keep Lance for his developmental promise and because of the cost that they paid to acquire him. Nevertheless, Rush is still the clear-cut backup to Prescott.
Running back (4): Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke
The top two options, Elliott and Dowdle, got a total of three carries in the preseason, all belonging to Dowdle, a sign that they’re safe. Luepke is a favorite of head coach Mike McCarthy and offers some versatility, so he’s in as well.
The last spot comes down to Vaughn, Royce Freeman and Malik Davis. The nod goes to Vaughn because he gives the running game some electricity, while Freeman and Davis are more in the mold of the other RBs on the roster.
Wide receiver (6): CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy
Second-year WR Brooks and the rookie Flournoy have been the best of the group trying to make their way onto the roster. Flournoy has gotten better each week, and the Cowboys will not risk exposing him and trying to sneak him onto the practice squad.
Tight end (3): Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens
The traditional four that McCarthy usually keeps will only be three this year because of Luepke’s ability to pitch in at the position. Stephens beats out the other options to make the roster after an injury derailed his promising training camp last summer.
Offensive line (9): Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Zack Martin, Terence Steele, Brock Hoffman, Asim Richards, T.J. Bass, Josh Ball. Chuma Edoga starts the year on IR designated to return*
After worries coming into camp, it looks like the Cowboys have a strong group of young linemen to pair with the veteran Martin. Bass and Ball beat out the other options and Edoga starts the season on IR to make room for Ball’s inclusion.
Defensive line (10): DeMarcus Lawrence, Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Micah Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, Chauncey Golston, Jordan Phillips, Linval Joseph, Carl Lawson, Al-Quadin Muhammad
With the late additions of Phillips, Joseph, and Lawson, the top 10 is set. The team will navigate around Muhammad’s prior suspension, who has one game remaining.
Linebacker (5): Eric Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau, Damone Clark, Nick Vigil
This position is in better shape than it was at any time in the last few years with Kendricks leading the way for new coordinator Mike Zimmer’s defense. Vigil gets the last spot because of his familiarity with the scheme, but watch out for Buddy Johnson, who has played well in the last two preseason games.
Cornerback (5): Trevon Diggs, Jourdan Lewis, Caelen Carson, Andre Booth, Israel Mukuamu. DaRon Bland opens on IR designated to return*
This group looked much stronger before the news of Bland’s broken bone in his foot, but they’ll move on.
The next man up will be Mukuamu, who is a safety by trade, yet has played a lot of corner in Dallas this summer. The miss in Booth’s hit or miss play needs to go away, but he’s got special teams ability and a strong pedigree, so he still gets the nod even after a rough finale against the Chargers.
Safety (5): Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell, Julius Wood
It’s a deep group at safety, that includes Wood, an undrafted free agent who has made enough plays to make the team. Wood is the latest name in a long line of safeties that the Cowboys found after the draft, joining Thomas and Bell on the current roster.
Specialists (3): Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
Easy three here, especially since they’re the only ones on the roster at their respective positions. Special teams ace C.J. Goodwin might not make the initial roster, ostensibly listed as a cornerback, but don’t be surprised to see him suit up for Dallas as he has in each of the last six seasons.
Do you think quarterback Trey Lance deserves his place on the roster? Share your thoughts with Ben on X (formerly Twitter) @BenGrimaldi.
