One preseason game separates the Dallas Cowboys from the 2024 regular season and there are still many ongoing battles going on across the 53-man roster.
Before the team returns to Dallas to host the Los Angeles Chargers for the preseason finale, here's yet another projection of what the team will end up looking like after roster cuts.
Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2024 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2024 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (3)
IN: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
OUT:
Lance might've tilted the odds for QB2 in his favor after a strong preseason showing versus the Raiders. However, the Cowboys will still likely want to keep Rush around and that might mean keeping him on the 53-man roster although they could get creative trying to keep him in the practice squad and elevate him for gamedays as the emergency quarterback, which is now doable an unlimited number of times per new NFL rules.
Running back (4)
IN: Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, Hunter Luepke (FB), Deuce Vaughn
OUT: Royce Freeman, Snoop Conner, Malik Davis, Nate Peat**
Vaughn, Freeman, and Davis all have a legit shot for the final spot at running back. After a display of playmaking ability over the weekend , the Cowboys might want to roll the dice on someone who gives them something different. That is Deuce.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy
OUT: Jalen Cropper, David Durden, Racey McMath, Cam Johnson**, Tyron Billy-Johnson, Kelvin Harmon, Deontay Burnett
Ryan Flournoy and Jalen Cropper are playing a game of tug of war for the WR6 spot, with the upper hand being passed to each other over and over again like a hot potato. Cropper had a drop and a fumble on special teams that hurts his case considering Flournoy had a strong showing and clearly brings a size element the Cowboys like.
"Boy, I'll tell you what, just really the way he's come in here, a small college player but he's picked it up, very bright," McCarthy told reporters following Saturday's win. "The way he's come back through injuries is impressive... He's just a heck of a football player. He proves it every time he gets more opportunities."
Tight end (3)
IN: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens Jr.
OUT: Brevyn Spann-Ford**, Peyton Hendershot, Princeton Fant, Alec Holler**
Going with three tight ends is viable only if the Cowboys truly believe they can get Luepke playing TE efficiently. UDFA rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford is fighting for that fourth spot though.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Tyler Guyton *, Tyler Smith , Cooper Beebe*, Zack Martin, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Brock Hoffman, Asim Richards, Josh Ball
OUT: Chuma Edoga (projected IR) , Earl Bostick Jr. (IR) , Dakoda Shepley, Matt Waletzko, Nathan Thomas*
I'm projecting Edoga to be put on IR on cutdown day as a designated to return player. The Cowboys played Josh Ball at tackle following injuries to Edoga and Bostick Jr. and with Asim Richards taking snaps at guard, this is a deep group that is just missing a quality swing tackle.
EDGE (5)
IN: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Marshawn Kneeland*, Chauncey Golston, Carl Lawson
OUT: Viliami Fehoko Jr., Tyrus Wheat, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Sam Williams (IR) , Durrell Johnson
Unfortunately, Fehoko has played the second most pass rushing snaps in back-to-back preseason games and has totaled zero pressures in the process. He's the odd man out in a talented group.
Defensive tackle (4)
IN: Osa Odighizuwa (3T), Mazi Smith (NT), Jordan Phillips (NT), Justin Rogers* (NT),
OUT: Albert Huggins, Denzel Daxon**
If a game was played this weekend, the Cowboys wouldn't really have a backup three-tech. Expect the team to make a move here one way or another.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau*, Buddy Johnson
OUT: Jason Johnson**, Brock Mogenson**, Damien Wilson, Willie Harvey Jr., Darius Harris, Nick Vigil
The Cowboys LB room is looking unbelievably deeper compared to last year's group. The fifth spot appears to be a wide open battle.
Cornerback (5)
IN: Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Caelen Carson*, Kemon Hall
OUT: Eric Scott Jr., Josh Butler, Josh DeBerry**, Andrew Booth Jr.
If the Cowboys carry only five cornerbacks, it appears the final spot will come down to one of Scott Jr., Butler, Booth Jr., or Hall. I'm leaning toward the latter after standout showings in the preseason but it could go any other way.
Mukuamu could also be in the mix as the safety is playing more nickel cornerback than anything else at this point.
Safety (5)
IN: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell, Julius Wood**
OUT: Israel Mukuamu, Sheldrick Redwine, Emany Johnson**
Five safeties is a lot as the Cowboys aren't going to be using a lot of three-safety looks like they did with Dan Quinn but you've got to let the players dictate the roster: UDFA rookie Julius Wood has been impressive all summer long and he gets a spot here after his best preseason game.
This is one of the best position groups on the team.
Specialists (4)
IN: Brandon Aubrey (K), Bryan Anger (P), Trent Sieg (LS), C.J. Goodwin (ace)
OUT: None
Not much to say here. These four are all roster locks.
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