Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster projection includes new faces along offensive line

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys fly to Oxnard, California, on July 25 to open coaching camp, hoping to turn into the primary repeat champion within the NFC East because the 2003-04 Philadelphia Eagles, but additionally to take it additional than a wild-card loss within the playoffs.

To get there, the Cowboys will want their greatest gamers — similar to QB Dak Prescott, LB Micah Parsons, OT Tyron Smith, OG Zack Martin, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, CB Trevon Diggs, RB Ezekiel Elliott and WR CeeDee Lamb — to play like stars. Depth will likely be a problem, as it’s for many groups. So will accidents. The Cowboys may even want their position gamers, rookies and newcomers to do extra than simply take a spot on the roster.

Here is a 53-man roster projection.

QUARTERBACK (2): Prescott, Cooper Rush

Prescott is 100% again from the ankle harm and appears leaner than he ever has. Rush gained an necessary sport a yr in the past in Minnesota, however Will Grier may work his means into the combination with strong work within the preseason.

RUNNING BACK (3): Elliott, Tony Pollard, Malik Davis

Elliott and Pollard are set, however do not count on an enormous distinction in how they’re used within the working sport. If wholesome, Elliott continues to be the lead again by a mile. However Pollard will likely be used extra in a receiver position, which ought to make him a viable fantasy pickup. Davis will get the nod over Rico Dowdle, who was saved off the sector within the spring due to knee surgical procedure. If wholesome, Dowdle may win the job.

FULLBACK (1): Ryan Nall

The Cowboys did not preserve a fullback for many of final season and have tight ends who can transfer into the backfield, however Nall has some particular groups expertise and was utilized in particular conditions within the spring.

WIDE RECEIVER (6): Lamb, Michael Gallup, James Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Noah Brown, T.J. Vasher

Gallup may not be prepared for Week 1, however he must be prepared someday in September, so he will get a spot on the 53 as an alternative of opening the yr on the bodily unable to carry out record. All eyes will likely be on Lamb as he ascends to the No. 1 position with Amari Cooper’s departure. Washington, Tolbert and Brown will likely be counted on early to make performs for Prescott. Vasher had some eye-popping moments within the spring, however the ultimate spot may come right down to particular groups, which may give undrafted Dennis Houston an opportunity.

TIGHT END (4): Dalton Schultz, Sean McKeon, Jake Ferguson, Jeremy Sprinkle

Schultz has 141 catches the final two seasons and appears like he’ll play the season on the $10.9 million franchise tag, which ends up in questions on whether or not he will likely be again in 2023. Final yr, McKeon was one of many surprises of coaching camp however a excessive ankle sprain restricted his effectiveness within the common season. Ferguson, a fourth-round decide, is perhaps the tight finish of the longer term. Sprinkle is a strong veteran choice, particularly with how the Cowboys depend on a number of tight finish seems.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Martin, Terence Steele, Connor McGovern, Matt Farniok, Matt Waletzko, Josh Ball

Tyler Smith, their 2022 first-round decide, will open camp in a contest with McGovern for the left guard spot. Steele takes over for La’el Collins at proper deal with. Tyron Smith has not performed a full season since 2015 due to accidents, however the plan for now could be to bypass a veteran backup deal with for both Tyler Smith, Ball or Waletzko as they enter camp. No group will likely be watched greater than the road since its success will go a good distance towards shaping the season.

DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Lawrence, Neville Gallimore, Osa Odighizuwa, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr., Carlos Watkins, Sam Williams, John Ridgeway, Quinton Bohanna

The Cowboys imagine the trio of Armstrong, Fowler and Williams will likely be sufficient to exchange the manufacturing of Randy Gregory, who signed with the Denver Broncos. A wholesome Lawrence is a good increase to the protection, whereas Gallimore and Odighizuwa might be energetic within the center. The ultimate spot got here right down to Trysten Hill, a second-round decide in 2019, and Bohanna. The sting went to Bohanna for his dimension (6-foot-4, 360 kilos), however he will likely be pushed by Ridgeway on the nostril deal with spot. Does it make sense to maintain two nostril tackles? Maybe Hill could possibly be commerce materials later in the summertime.

LINEBACKER (5): Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch, Jabril Cox, Luke Gifford, Devin Harper

This projection is predicated on the idea that Cox, who’s getting back from a proper torn ACL, will likely be prepared for Week 1. If not, then the Cowboys have to seek out some assist — and may want a low-cost veteran anyway. Parsons would be the cornerstone of the protection in his second season. Vander Esch ended final yr on a excessive word and the coaches love the work he put in throughout the offseason. Rookie Damone Clark (neck) will open the yr on the non-football harm record.

CORNERBACK (6): Diggs, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Kelvin Joseph, Nahshon Wright, DaRon Bland.

That is as deep because the Cowboys have been at nook in a while. Diggs is coming off an 11-pick season. Brown is regular. Lewis is greater than succesful within the slot. Joseph’s attainable connection to a Dallas murder case has him below potential authorized and NFL penalties that would impression his spot on the roster. Relying on the result, the Cowboys may go together with one other security over a nook.

SAFETY (4): Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Markquese Bell

Kearse led the Cowboys in tackles (101) a yr in the past, blossoming in a hybrid security/linebacker position. Hooker is 2 years faraway from an Achilles tear and has an opportunity to be a difference-maker. Wilson can begin as nicely, whereas Bell acquired the ultimate spot over final yr’s draft decide Israel Mukuamu. The Cowboys assured $200,000 of Bell’s wage as an undrafted free agent.

SPECIALIST (4) Jonathan Garibay, Bryan Anger, Jake McQuaide, C.J. Goodwin.

Anger is coming off his first Professional Bowl season, and McQuaide is a gentle snapper. Goodwin is among the many greatest punt and kick cowl males within the NFL. Kicker is the primary query with Garibay, an undrafted free agent from Texas Tech, having the within observe in the mean time. The Cowboys will look so as to add competitors for coaching camp, however the kickers out there have as many questions because the untested Garibay.