Dallas Cowboys: Projecting the opening game 46-man roster
By Brad Austin
Projecting the Dallas Cowboys final roster before camp starts is dicey. Whittling it down to a 46-man game day squad gets much trickier.
Predicting the Dallas Cowboys 53-man final roster over three weeks before camp starts is a fool’s errand. Injuries and possible late additions will surely throw a few monkey wrenches in the mix.
Nonetheless, the dead period is full of speculation. Cowboys fans are left to overzealous boasting and outlandish criticisms without team activities to address.
With so many new faces lacking exposure in the Cowboys system, it’s quite a task to project the final 53.
Despite the roadblocks let’s go a step further and take a stab at the opening game day roster of 46.
QUARTERBACK (2)
Starter: DAK PRESCOTT
Sub: Cooper Rush
No surprises here. Mike White won’t dress with other positions needing extra bodies.
RUNNING BACK (4)
Starters: EZEKIEL ELLIOTT, JAMIZE OLAWALE (FB)
Subs: ROD SMITH, DARIUS JACKSON
Dallas has a unique ability to only dress two pure running backs if so desired to save space. Olawale could run the ball in a pinch (4.8 yards average over 24 attempts in 2015). Tavon Austin could also eat minimal carries if needed. That being said, Jackson made this team in 2016 and will outperform rookie Bo Scarborough to do so again.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
Starters: ALLEN HURNS, TERRANCE WILLIAMS, COLE BEASLEY
Subs: TAVON AUSTIN, MICHAEL GALLUP, DEONTE THOMPSON
The overhauled receiving core features many players with specialized skills. Several can contribute and add unique fireworks to the offense. Dallas will go long here.
TIGHT END (3)
Starter: GEOFF SWAIM
Subs: BLAKE JARWIN, DALTON SCHULTZ
My apologies to the Rico Gathers fan club, his borrowed time in Dallas will likely expire soon. Blocking is the calling card of this group and sound technique holds favor.
OFFENSIVE LINE (7)
Starters: TYRON SMITH, CONNOR WILLIAMS, TRAVIS FREDERICK, ZACK MARTIN, LA’EL COLLINS
Subs: CAMERON FLEMING, MARCUS MARTIN
Just reading the names in this group should make any Cowboys fan smile. All seven players have the ability to pave the way for Zeke’s buffet. As a matter of fact, each one is more capable than last season’s starting left guard Jonathan Cooper.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7)
Starters: DEMARCUS LAWRENCE, MALIEK COLLINS, JIHAD WARD, TYRONE CRAWFORD
Subs: BRIAN PRICE, TACO CHARLTON, KONY EALY
Ward will start while David Irving serves a 4-game suspension. Collins’ broken foot should be healed in time for the opener. Price will make it as a pure 1-tech DT to back-up Collins. Ealy gets the nod due to his flexibility to slide inside or out. Randy Gregory is the wildcard here. If he’s reinstated and receives a full camp, this group will feature eight instead of dressing a third running back.
LINEBACKER (5)
Starters: SEAN LEE, LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, JAYLON SMITH
Subs: DAMIEN WILSON, JOE THOMAS
There’s just too much talent among the top three to sit one in the base defense. LVE will show enough in the middle for Smith to slide outside to SAM backer. Thomas gets the back-up nod due to experience. Dallas tends to favor experience over talent early on. Though it’s very possible Covington will steal his game day spot at some point.
CORNERBACK (5)
Starters: CHIDOBE AWUZIE, BYRON JONES, JOURDAN LEWIS
Subs: ANTHONY BROWN, DUKE THOMAS
The starters are apparent, yet it’s amazing so many Cowboys fans forgot the impressive show Thomas put on last preseason. So Marquez White is taller, big deal. Thomas won the battle last summer and his superior coverage will win out again. Of course secondary coach Kris Richard could naively protect White with more unfounded preference for height over raw talent and production. Just ask Lewis.
SAFETY (4)
Starters: JEFF HEATH, XAVIER WOODS
Subs: KAVON FRAZIER, UNNAMED VETERAN
Jones or Awuzie could slide back from corner to safety in an emergency. Though it’s more likely Dallas will sign a veteran safety to bolster its weakest unit by September.
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SPECIALISTS (3)
DAN BAILEY (K), CHRIS JONES (P), L.P. LADOUCEUR (LS)
Which Bailey will show up next season? The previously most accurate kicker in NFL history or the guy who missed 5 of his last 13 attempts.