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.