Dallas Cowboys projected 55-man roster as camp unfolds

Dallas Cowboys training camp results project updated 55-man roster

The Dallas Cowboys are roughly at the midpoint of training camp. And many of the starting and back-up roles are taking shape.

With final cuts looming,  just nine days away, below is my updated projection of the Cowboys’ 55-man opening day roster. Let’s start on the offensive side of the ball.

OFFENSE (24)

QUARTERBACKS (2)

♦ DAK PRESCOTT

ANDY DALTON

Notes: Rookie Ben DiNucci has displayed NFL caliber arm talent and athleticism. New practice squad rules allow teams to protect four members from being poached by other teams. This is ideal to develop and shield DiNucci on the practice squad.

RUNNING BACKS (3)

♦ EZEKIEL ELLIOTT

TONY POLLARD, SEWO OLONILUA (FB)

Notes: Head coach Mike McCarthy eluded he could use tight ends at fullback, but Olonilua offers emergency running back ability and special teams value.

WIDE RECEIVERS (6)

♦ AMARI COOPER, MICHAEL GALLUP, CEEDEE LAMB

CEDRICK WILSON, DEVIN SMITH, VENTELL BRYANT

Notes: The top five appears pretty settled as camp has progressed. Bryant retains the final spot off of strong special teams play.

TIGHT ENDS (3)

♦ BLAKE JARWIN

BLAKE BELL, DALTON SCHULTZ

Notes: No real surprises here. The above three are having good camps.

OFFENSIVE LINE (10)

♦ TYRON SMITH (LT), CONNOR WILLIAMS (LG), JOE LOONEY (C), ZACK MARTIN (RG), LA’EL COLLINS (RT)

CAMERON ERVING (T), CONNOR MCGOVERN (C/G), TYLER BIADASZ (C), ADAM REDMOND (C/G), BRANDON KNIGHT (T)

Notes: Camp injuries make Dallas go long with a fourth tackle and carry Knight.

DEFENSE (28)

DEFENSIVE LINE (10)

♦ DEMARCUS LAWRENCE (LE), DONTARI POE (NT), TYRONE CRAWFORD (DT), EVERSON GRIFFEN (RE)

ALDON SMITH (DL), ANTWAUN WOODS (DT), TRYSTEN HILL (DT), NEVILLE GALLIMORE (DT), BRADLEY ANAE (DE), DORANCE ARMSTRONG (DE)

Notes: The defensive line group is easy to predict. At least nine above are guaranteed roster spots. Armstrong also likely returns for a third season.

LINEBACKER (7)

♦ JAYLON SMITH, LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, SEAN LEE

JOE THOMAS, LUKE GIFFORD, JUSTIN MARCH, FRANCIS BERNARD

Notes: Undrafted rookie Bernard has turned heads in camp. His defensive promise along with special teams value should warrant a roster spot.

CORNERBACK (7)

♦ CHIDOBE AWUZIE, ANTHONY BROWN, JOURDAN LEWIS

TREVON DIGGS, DARYL WORLEY, REGGIE ROBINSON, C.J. GOODWIN

Notes: Three returning Cowboys veterans plus three new 2020 additions fill out the top six. Goodwin will return as the team’s special teams ace.

SAFETY (4)

♦ XAVIER WOODS, HA HA CLINTON-DIX

DARIAN THOMSPON, DONOVAN WILSON

Notes: Many fans would love Earl Thomas’ name to be included here. At this point, the Cowboys will rely on the four players above.

SPECIALISTS (3)

♦ GREG ZUERLEIN (K), CHRIS JONES (P), L.P. LADOUCEUR (LS)

Notes: With limited practice snaps, Dallas decided not to carry any back-up specialists. The above three will be the game day regulars.