Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys pre-draft 53-man roster projection

Published

2 years ago

April 24, 2024

Dallas Cowboys pre-draft 53-man roster projection

As we gear up for the 2024 NFL Draft, one of the key exercises is to see where the holes are on the current Cowboys roster. So using only current talent, we’re going to try to put together a 53-man projection. This is one of the clearest ways to identify how Dallas will prioritize its draft selections this week.

This is especially intriguing right now given the mass exodus of players this offseason with few replacements. Gone are Tyron Smith, Stephon Gilmore, Tyler Biadasz, Tony Pollard, Leighton Vander Esch, Michael Gallup, Jayron Kearse, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, and others who’d have probably made the team this August. So far, Dallas has only retained a few of last year’s free agents while adding two external free agents; a major disparity in departures over arrivals/keepers.

Thankfully, we know the Cowboys have this year’s draft and some remaining free agency work to improve on the current situation. But if they did have to play a game this weekend, what would the team look like?

OFFENSE (25)

Quarterback (3)

Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance

Running Back (3)

Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn

Fullback (1)

Hunter Luepke

Wide Receiver (5)

CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cook, Jalen Tolbert
KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks

Tight End (4)

Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker
Peyton Hendershot, John Stephens

Offensive Line (9)

Tyler Smith, Zack Martin, Terence Steele
Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass, Asim Richards
Chuma Edoga, Matt Waletzko, Josh Ball

The most glaring issue here is along the offensive line, of course. Smith, Martin, and Steele are your only clear starters going forward. While there are positive signs from prospects Hoffman and Bass, asking them to start next year is dicey. Hopefully, some of Dallas’ recent draft picks like Richards and Waletzko will be able to make it a competition. But even with this group of nine, you may not have a backup center. You can understand why most mock drafts have Dallas going OL early, perhaps even with their first- and second-round picks.

Keeping four tight ends and a fullback may seem rich, but John Stephens is sort of a hybrid WR/TE and gives depth at both spots. The Cowboys will probably shed weight here to keep more depth on defense, but based on current talent there was literally nobody else to keep on the other side of the ball. So for now, we’re leaning into offensive flexibility and being able to attack teams with a variety of looks and personnel.

At the top of the depth charts, we’re mostly good except for the offensive line and at running back. How early Dallas invests in a new starter at running back is one of the major talking points in this draft. The second round feels possible if Trey Benson or Jonathan Brooks are there, but many would prefer that the Cowboys wait until at least the third round to see what trickles down. You wait too long, though, and you may not be any better off than if Dowdle was the starter.

DEFENSE (24)

Defensive End (6)

Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams
Chauncey Golston, Villiami Fehoko, Tyrus Wheat

Defensive Tackle (3)

Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Carl Davis

Linebacker (5)

Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown
Markquese Bell, Buddy Johnson

Cornerback (6)

Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis
Israel Mukuamu, Nahshon Wright, Eric Scott

Safety (4)

Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson
Juanyeh Thomas, Sheldrick Redwine

This got ugly in a hurry, especially in the front seven. We couldn’t even move Markquese Bell to safety yet, as we know the team intends to do, because they’re so thin at linebacker. So it feels almost certain that at least one mid-round pick may be going there, and perhaps higher depending on who falls. Eric Kendricks is only here on a one-year deal, so having someone to compete with Clark and Overshown for the future would make sense.

We could only name three defensive tackles right now because that’s all Dallas has. Defensive ends like Golston and Fehoko may have been able to move inside some in Dan Quinn’s scheme, but Mike Zimmer likes bigger guys in more traditional roles. The Cowboys will almost certainly draft at least one defensive tackle this week, but could also be looking for some cheap veteran signings to fill the depth chart in the coming months.

The secondary feels pretty solid. Once Bell returns to safety, that’s probably curtains for Sheldrick Redwine. Younger prospects could take roster spots from the likes of Nahshon Wright and Israel Mukuamu, but at least Mukuamu gives some versatility as a corner and safety. It’d be nice to have at least one new corner with some upside, especially with Jourdan Lewis only back on a one-year deal.

SPECIAL TEAMS (4)

K Brandon Aubrey, P Bryan Anger
LS Trent Sieg, ST C.J. Goodwin

We don’t even call Goodwin a cornerback anymore because that’s not why he’s here. The veteran is all about special teams, serving as a gunner and leader for John Fassel’s crews. For years, we’ve assumed younger guys would step up and take his place. And every year, we’re proven wrong. Until the Cowboys actually decide to move on, just keep on penciling him in for the roster.

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Dallas, TX

Downtown Dallas Inc. backs relocating aging City Hall, redevelopment of site

Published

24 minutes ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Downtown Dallas Inc. backs relocating aging City Hall, redevelopment of site

Downtown Dallas Inc. announced Friday that it backs the potential relocation of City Hall and redevelopment of that site, adding support to a high-stakes decision about the city’s urban core.

“DDI believes this is a generational opportunity to modernize and elevate how Dallas delivers public services,” said its president and CEO, Jennifer Scripps. “But we must be equally clear: Any future City Hall belongs within the highway loop in downtown.”

She said the current building “is no longer serving its intended purpose,” adding that key government functions are “inefficient — truly stymied in that space.”

Jennifer Scripps, president and CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc., delivers opening comments... — Jennifer Scripps, president and CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc., delivers opening comments during the group’s annual meeting at the Fairmont Dallas on Feb. 27, 2026.
Steve Hamm

DDI, a nonprofit, promotes downtown Dallas, and its board voted unanimously this week to back the course outlined by the City Council’s Finance Committee, Scripps said at the group’s annual meeting at the Fairmont Dallas.

That committee this week asked city staff to shift 311, 911 and emergency operations to a new government center as soon as possible, explore moving all other functions and pursue redevelopment options for the current site at 1500 Marilla St.

Downtown business interests favor redevelopment of the property for mixed-use projects and other ideas, while preservationists have called for protecting the I.M. Pei-designed building.

Last year, City Council members directed City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert to assess the building’s condition. She engaged the nonprofit Dallas Economic Development Corp. to lead the review.

The EDC’s report, released last week, found that fully repairing and modernizing City Hall could cost taxpayers more than $1 billion over 20 years.

DDI also is urging city leaders to pursue a redevelopment strategy for the existing site that builds on major public investments already underway downtown, including:

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters
Dallas College
Memorial Auditorium, the planned future home of the Dallas Wings

Scripps said downtown offers assets that could be repurposed to consolidate city functions and improve public access.

She also said the organization hopes the Mavericks basketball team and Stars hockey team remain in or near downtown, “where they belong.”

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Dallas, TX

Mavericks vs Kings Final Score: Dallas falls to Sacramento, 130-121

Published

13 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Mavericks vs Kings Final Score: Dallas falls to Sacramento, 130-121

The Dallas Mavericks (21-37) were beaten early and late by the Sacramento Kings (14-47) at home on Thursday, falling 130-121 in their first home game in over a month. Precious Achiuwa scored a career high 29 points against Dallas, leading the Kings. He also chipped in 12 rebounds and four assists. Naji Marshall was the best Dallas player, scoring 36 to go along with 10 rebounds and six helpers.

The first quarter of Mavericks-Kings really proved that in the NBA, anything is possible. With a couple of wonky lineups, largely due to neither team having anything resembling their normal roster, there wasn’t much defense to be played on either side of the ball. And while Marshall had himself a quarter, scoring 13, every other Maverick was some variation of bad. The Kings, meanwhile, put up baskets with ease. Dallas left quarter one down 42-28.

The Kings stopped scoring at will in the second quarter, and the two teams settled into a bit of a slog. Sacramento did grow the lead to as many as 18 in the frame before Dallas found some dignity and made a push. But they weren’t able to make it a close game in one quarter. Sacramento finally committed a few turnovers in the latter minutes of the half to give Dallas a chance to cut it to single digits, only for a last-second turnover, which led to a Kings basket. Dallas trailed 68-56 at the half.

The third quarter was something special. The Mavericks cut the Kings lead down to three very quickly to start the half, only to get walloped on a huge Kings run. The game then teetered back and forth between single and double digits. Marvin Bagley went down with a head injury, which slowed the Dallas momentum. The Mavericks found themselves down 12 as the quarter ended, which was the same amount they were down when the second half began. Dallas trailed 100-88 with 12 minutes to go.

The Dallas Mavericks made things interesting, you have to give them that. The fourth quarter was a slow collapse by the Kings, a theme we’ve seen all season as Dallas shocks people simply by playing hard. The 12 point lead whittled down to 2 points with two minutes remaining, only for the Kings to wake up and close out the contest. Dallas falls, somehow, 130-121. A masterful tank.

That was a genuinely shocking game

Perhaps it’s me. Maybe I’m the problem. Maybe I don’t believe enough, in Jason Kidd, in this Dallas Mavericks team.

When I noticed this four game slate in mid-December, when the Dallas season was already over and no one knew it, I marked it down as a stretch which would cause the fandom to go NUTS. Four straight wins, even against the Grizzlies, who weren’t yet tanking either. The Kings were bad. They should be beatable every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

But no, not for our Dallas Mavericks. With PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford out, with Cooper Flagg out, this was a game Dallas wanted to lose institutionally. Don’t let the players hear that, of course. Kidd played Marshall 42 freaking minutes, and the dude battled his butt off. But Caleb Martin exists, and he’s one of the players on this team who probably shouldn’t be in the NBA at this point. He played a mere 20 minutes but was outscored 25 points while he was on the floor. That’s so hard to do!

But Dallas did it. And they lost.

Now, they’ll win some games they shouldn’t. They have too much veteran talent to actually TANK, like the Kings, Jazz, and other moribund franchies. But for now, enjoy how ridiculous a loss this was. Go Mavs.

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Dallas, TX

Plano makes formal pitch to attract Dallas Stars as arena talks intensify, Dallas council member says

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Plano makes formal pitch to attract Dallas Stars as arena talks intensify, Dallas council member says

The Dallas Stars are at the center of an escalating tug‑of‑war over their future home, after Dallas City Council Member Chad West revealed that Plano has formally pitched the NHL franchise on relocating to Collin County.

In an interview with CBS News Texas, West said Plano has delivered a letter of intent outlining its offer, even as the Stars continue negotiating with Dallas on a plan that could keep the team at American Airlines Center beyond its 2031 lease expiration.

“The Stars are the popular kid getting asked to the dance right now,” West said. “Everybody in the region knows their contract is expiring in 2031, and they are interested in bringing the Stars to their city. Why wouldn’t they be? They’re a fantastic team. Stanley Cup champions. So bring it on. Healthy competition is a good thing.

“The City of Dallas is going to bring our best offer to the table. And, you know, the Stars have ‘Dallas’ in front of their name for a reason, and we owe it to them. We owe it to the fans to give them the best offer we can to keep them in the City of Dallas.”

The Stars have not signed the Plano document, and the team declined to comment on the proposal.

“Thank you for reaching out,” said Joe Calvillo, a spokesman for the Stars. “We’re going to decline to comment on this matter.”

Plano officials stay quiet on negotiations

Plano officials would not confirm whether a letter was sent, but said the city routinely attracts interest from major companies and does not publicly discuss economic development negotiations until they reach the council.

“Plano is known to be attractive to national and international corporations, and we are home to numerous iconic brands,” the City of Plano said in a statement. “Due to the strong interest in Plano and competition within the region, we do not publicly comment on speculation or economic development projects until they are brought to Council for formal adoption.”

Plano’s economic‑development posture has drawn heightened attention in recent months as the city prepares to become the future home of AT&T’s global headquarters, a relocation that will consolidate thousands of employees on a new corporate campus.

That move, combined with Plano’s ongoing pursuit of major employers and marquee brands, has intensified regional competition for high‑profile projects – including the Stars’ long‑term arena plans.

Dallas pushes to keep the team

West said Dallas remains in active talks with the franchise about staying at American Airlines Center, including discussions about converting the building into a hockey‑specific venue. He emphasized that the Stars are still negotiating with the city and have not committed to any outside proposal.

“I think that we, as the City of Dallas, need to take it very seriously that there is at least one city talking to the Stars,” West said. “I highly believe there’s probably others who are as well. I’ve heard Arlington — haven’t confirmed it — but I’ve heard Arlington is very interested. I’m friends with the mayor out there. I know he would love to have more sports teams with ‘Dallas’ name in front of them in their city. But you know what? Bring on the competition.”

The Stars’ arena search is unfolding at the same time the Dallas Mavericks pursue plans for a new home of their own, signaling that the two longtime co‑tenants may eventually separate. The Mavericks are evaluating possible sites downtown and in North Dallas at the former Valley View Mall.

Both teams’ leases at American Airlines Center run through 2031.

In:

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