Dallas Cowboys: Attempting to predict the 55-man roster in May

Defensive Line (11)

DeMarcus Lawrence – defensive end
Tyrone Crawford – defensive end/tackle
Randy Gregory – defensive end
Aldon Smith – defensive end
Dorance Armstrong – defensive end
Bradlee Anae – defensive end
Gerald McCoy – defensive tackle
Dontari Poe – defensive tackle
Antwaun Woods – defensive tackle
Neville Gallimore – defensive tackle
Trysten Hill – defensive tackle

Now that Aldon Smith has been reinstated, the only question mark is Randy Gregory. But I’ll be pretty surprised if he isn’t in training camp. If Gregory passes muster, that means Joe Jackson, Jalen Jelks, both drafted last year, and Ron’Dell Carter, a highly touted UDFA this year, are all out of luck.

If Gregory doesn’t make it, expect to see a colossal battle for that last spot. Wild card No. 1 – One of the three could outperform Armstrong and take his spot. Wild card No. 2 – Could management trade one of these down roster guys for another position of need or a late day three draft pick?

Wild card No. 3 – Could Trysten Hill, drafted in the second round just a year ago, get cut? It’s possible. After a weak performance in his rookie year, Hill has no trade value. He might just get cut to make room for someone else.

Linebacker (6)

Leighton Vander Esch
Jaylon Smith
Sean Lee
Joe Thomas
Justin March
Luke Gifford

This unit looks like the most predictable on the roster. Beyond the starting three, Thomas, March, and Gifford are all holdovers from last year. One wildcard – Could highly touted UDFA Francis Bernard outperform Gifford for the final spot?