The final 53-man roster is far from set. But here’s a pre-training camp guess on who and how the Dallas Cowboys will construct their team come early September. And I’ve come up with a two-part series that breaks down who I think will be on the final roster. Let’s start on offense.
There are a few spots on offense that I had some difficulty but this side of the ball was surprisingly easier than I imagined. There could always be the shocking cut that most of us don’t expect but I would imagine there aren’t going to be many surprises come cutdown day from this side of the ball.
This two-part series was broken down as cleanly as possible. I have 25 players on offense, 25 players on defense with three specialists rounding out the 53.
I added the specialist to the offense as the defense is much more complicated and will take more time to comb through.
The offense is surprisingly deeper than most realize and there will only be a handful of surprises when going through this list. There will be some personal controversies as pet cats always come into play.
I am always hopeful to see a newcomer come in and compete as that is the true definition of a diamond in the rough. There are a couple of players that I have scattered throughout the roster that I think could make some noise that some aren’t necessarily beating the drum for at the moment.
That is what makes this exciting. I have a vision in my head of who I think will be part of the 2021 Dallas Cowboys and yet I am hopeful that I am wrong in some areas. Some of these no-name guys just need a chance. Players that go out and compete every day and make the coaches stand up for them come final cutdown day are the cinderella stories I am here for.
The Dallas Cowboys cannot go off of name alone when constructing their roster. The time has come for the camp process to be a legitimate competition amongst all the players, not just those who carry a household name.
Quarterback is the most important position in football so I decided to start here.
I have three quarterbacks making the final roster simply because I do not have that warm and fuzzy feeling after the starter. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is obviously making the 53 and is expected to start.
The situation behind Dak is where the fun starts. I previously voiced my concerns about the backup signal-caller but it appears the Dallas Cowboys are confident in who they have currently in the building.
I expect Garrett Gilbert to take the reins and separate himself as the backup quarterback this season. His ability to come to Dallas on short notice and put an undefeated team on the ropes before eventually losing was impressive.
If Gilbert can keep the confidence he showed in limited action last season during this upcoming training camp, there shouldn’t be a reason why it wouldn’t be enough for the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff and evaluators to save some money and keep Gilbert as the backup as opposed to bringing in a bigger name.
That only leaves former undrafted free agent pickup Cooper Rush, who has been released by the Cowboys before and last season’s seventh-round pick Ben DiNucci.
Cooper Rush was the only quarterback on the roster to not play a game last season so that is an instant eyebrow-raiser for me. If DiNucci makes any kind of strides from last season, I have that as reason enough to keep him as my third quarterback over Rush.
If Garrett Gilbert can somehow wow the coaching staff to where he shows he can legitimately be the backup quarterback this year and beyond, the Dallas Cowboys could save themselves a roster spot by only going with two signal-callers.
From a general manager standpoint, it would probably be smart to keep DiNucci on the practice squad and keep Cooper Rush on the 53 but I just don’t see DiNucci making it to the practice squad. Dak Prescott, Garrett Gilbert, and Ben Dinucci take up my first three roster spots.
Quarterbacks (3) (3)
- Dak Prescott (QB1)
- Garrett Gilbert (QB2)
- Ben DiNucci (QB3)
In a bit of a surprise, I am going light in the backfield. Running back Ezekiel Elliott is obviously the starting running back and with the offseason it appears he is having, I expect him to have the same kind of impact he had his rookie season.
The disrespect Zeke has received is probably what he is using as motivation to quiet the naysayers so continue to fuel if you must, it appears he is consuming it correctly.
Underused backup running back Tony Pollard should continue his duties as the primary kick returner but should have a bigger role behind Elliott. A fresh Zeke that can grind out the clock in the fourth quarter can only help the team by keeping the defense off the field.
The obvious way to do this is by increasing Pollard’s workload earlier in the game so Zeke can close them out late.
I am going light in the backfield because the team can easily stash runningbacks on the practice squad but I am going to find a spot for a fullback.
Sewo Olonilua should be the leader of the fullback pack but I think undrafted free agent from Louisiana-Lafayette Nick Ralston is a real find. I watched a good amount of his film and this guy is a swiss army knife.
Zeke’s production has fallen and one reason for his decline in stats might be due to the fact the team hasn’t had a power fullback since Keith Smith departed via trade for a pass-catching fullback that was rarely utilized. Ralston has the ability to do both.
First off he is strong and low to the ground making him an ideal fullback. He has the brute strength to dig a linebacker out of his gap but also understands angles so well that he can move his defender with a plethora of blocking moves.
Runningbacks making business decisions on the field often is often the catalyst in fans turning on you yet the way Ralston blocks could be a real asset. Ralston doesn’t always use strength to get his assignment out of the way and that unique skill set he brings will, in my opinion, earn him a roster spot.
I am really impressed with this kid and I believe he is going to become Ezekiel Elliotts’ new best friend. Former Dallas Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston is a fan and does have certain traits that remind me of “Moose”.
Going light here opens up a roster spot for another position so I am not too concerned if the Cowboys decide to go this route. Running back Rico Dowdle still has practice squad eligibility and stashing him there as an emergency runner is a realistic possibility.
Ralston can also steal some carries in a pinch so not all is lost if the two guys ahead of him get banged up.
Ralston is currently assigned the number 46. If he does make the roster, the Dallas Cowboys should give him number 48 and start a new legacy.
Backfield (3) (6)
- Ezekiel Elliott (RB1)
- Tony Pollard (RB2)
- Nick Ralston (FB1)
Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Amari Cooper is no doubt going to make this roster so I have him as the team’s primary wide receiver. Entering his second year, CeeDee Lamb could make his case to become the primary target in this offense but I think his work in the slot will allow Coop to keep things steady for another year.
Michael Gallup has been the subject of trade rumors but unless there is a team offering an elite defender for him, he is going to be suited up for the Dallas Cowboys this fall. After this, things get dicey.
Cedrick Wilson and Noah Brown are both Dallas Cowboys draft selections but I think the time has come to give serious consideration to the guys behind them. Simi Fehoko, T.J Vasher, Brandon Smith, and Aaron Parker are the primary backup threats while a couple of those guys could make for a great Hard Knocks battle.
Fehoko already feels like a fan favorite and I’m sure he will get plenty of air time on HBO but Brandon Smith is the guy I have my eye on.
Smith is an undrafted guy from the University of Iowa who scored a touchdown every ten receptions. Iowa isn’t necessarily known as wideout U so him being underrated from there is not a big deal to me.
Fehoko will probably win the fans but Smith will win the last job. Wideout four will be a guy who felt like he was going to break out early but was affected after the Prescott injury. I am going to give the fourth spot to Cedrick Wilson.
His impact on special teams gives this team a familiar special team player who can also contribute to the offense. If he can’t consistently produce, this might be his final year in Dallas as well.
That means Noah Brown will be looking for a new home and the Fehoko to the practice squad game will be played.
Wide Receivers (5) (11)
- Amari Cooper (WR1)
- CeeDee lamb (WR2)
- Michael Gallup (WR3)
- Cedrick Wilson (WR4)
- Brandon Smith (WR5)
I decided to go light at Wide Receiver and running back and one reason was so I could go heavy on tight ends. It is fairly normal for teams to go three deep at tight end so going heavy here has more to do about the players rather than the scheme.
I will point out that Dallas did have four tight ends on the roster last season but lost starter Blake Jarwin in week one.
I expect Blake Jarwin to be fully recovered from his major knee injury and reclaim the starting job but will be pushed by what was a pleasant surprise in Dalton Shultz. The team kept undrafted free agent Sean McKeon as their fourth tight end so they must think highly of him.
McKeon was my pet cat last season and although he did not show much in his first season, it is not out of the realm to think he could have a Blake Jarwin career trajectory. Jarwin was an undrafted free agent that could have joined the eventual world champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 but opted to be placed on the Dallas Cowboys’ active roster.
The inability to retain tight end Blake Bell is the reason for a McKeon ascension but I find it funny that for the second time in a row, an undrafted free agent tight end from the University of Michigan is my fourth tight end. Yes, I have Nick Eubanks as my fourth tight end.
I guess this an attempt from Michigan to apologize for the Taco Charlton selection.
Eubanks produced very little in his time at Michigan and lacks the strength to block at the pro level but has the physical tools that will make it really hard for the team to take a chance placing him on waivers.
I also believe with the team going short on runningback and wideout, Eubanks can play a role as an H-back. His speed and size on special teams will only strengthen his case to stick on the 53.
Tight Ends (4) (15)
- Blake Jarwin (TE1)
- Dalton Schultz (TE2)
- Sean McKeon (TE3)
- Nick Eubanks (TE4)
The offensive line has been disrespected to where I just have to say something. The narrative on the Dallas Cowboys losing of Dak Prescott last season made the injuries of the offensive line a national non-story.
The fact is the team suffered so many injuries on the offensive line that some people, who cover the league, have forgotten how good the Cowboys line can be. I’m sure the offensive line will be really good again if healthy but the credit will undoubtedly go to the skill players as usual.
I fully expect bookends Tyron Smith and La’el Collins to produce some serious Pro Bowl campaigns and If healthy I have no doubt right guard Zack Martin is still the best guard in football. Those three should receive their nominations but there is another guy I have my eye on.
Center Tyler Biadiasz has received some high praise this offseason from people who normally don’t speak. That gives me confidence that he will be able to excel with those who surround him. Speaking of being surrounded, I feel like the Connor Williams hate should be revisited.
I am guilty of this also as I have always looked to replace Williams as the team’s starting left guard. Williams has quietly become one of the better guards in this league. Considering the team has great bargain deals with their starting tackles, having another great deal starting at left guard is grossly underappreciated.
I, like many, expect this to be the team’s starting five upfront. The swing tackle will probably end up going to free-agent signee Ty Nsekhe. Connor McGovern is my choice for the primary backup guard but he could receive some serious competition from Brandon Knight.
Knight started a handful of games at tackle for Dallas and earlier in the season, he looked like he could actually handle the job moving forward. The injury bug bit him mid-season and he didn’t look the same late as he did earlier in the year.
There are some like me that might think he could be a better guard than tackle. Versatility is key when it comes to game day activations and having a backup guard that can also play tackle in a pinch is a great way to show your worth.
Connor McGovern played center his first year in college and the team did draft and move Matt Forniok over to center so I think the backup center answer won’t come until after the first couple games of the preseason.
McGovern is probably the backup center but that could flip flop with Forniok if he makes a case during camp. This is a position where the Dallas Cowboys could address if things do not pan out. An injury to either of these guys could prompt the team to bring back fan-favorite interior lineman Joe Looney.
Tackle’s Terrance Steele and Mitch Hyatt will likely battle for the final roster spot and it is unfortunate that Hyatt suffered a major knee injury last season as it would have been good to see him get some much-needed live action.
Steele has to show that he didn’t waste the offseason. He had a head start over Hyatt who was rehabbing from a major knee injury so that battle is one to watch during camp. If Steele doesn’t show he is better than Hyatt when camp starts, it could be a long summer.
Lineman (10) (25)
- Tyron Smith (LT1)
- Connor Williams (LG1)
- Tyler Biadasz (C1)
- Zack Martin (RG1)
- La’el Collins (RT1)
- Ty Nsekhe (LT2)
- Connor McGovern (LG2)
- Matt Farniok (C2)
- Brandon Knight (RG2)
- Terrance Steele (RT2)
The three specialists were almost a lock to make the final roster. That was until the Cowboys made a couple of moves. The Dallas Cowboys decided to not bring back longtime long snapper L.P Ladouceur and replaced him with former L.A. Rams Pro Bowler long snapper Jake McQuaide.
Last year, the team brought in Greg Zuerlein from those same Los Angeles Rams. After a shaky start, Legatron settled in nicely and looks to be an even more consistent kicker.
The only real battle here is going to come from the punters. Since the Rams have yet to make arguably the best punter in the league, Johhny Hekker, a cap casualty, the Cowboys will move forward with what they have.
The Dallas Cowboys had a nice find in Hunter Niswander but brought in veteran Bryan Anger for some competition. Anger signed with the Dallas Cowboys after the Houston Texans released him to save money. Anger was given a three-year $7.5 million deal by Houston but was released after a series of confusing front office moves.
Niswander had a better punting average but Anger is an experienced veteran who won’t make this easy. I would hate to lose Niswander but I think the veteran gets the nod over the free-agent find.
Niswander does have practice squad eligibility so it placing him on there could be used as a motivational tool to keep Anger consistent.
On a side note, the Rams brought in Corey Borojquez who in the previous season with the Buffalo Bills, led the league with an impressive 50.8 punting average to compete with Hekker. The door might be cracked enough for Hekker to jump to Dallas later this year.
Releasing Hekker now would give the cash strapped Rams around $3.75 million in cap space. Until that happens, I am going with the veteran on the roster although it is a coin flip at this point.
Specialists
- Jake McQuaide (LS)
- Greg Zuerlein (K)
- Byan Anger (P)
I understand that there might be a few head-scratchers on this final roster but the team has to take chances with potential rather than playing it safe with a few of these known fringe players. Year after year, the usual suspects are always headlining the news but you cannot hit big at the back of your roster if you continue to play it safe.
Injuries will certainly have a great say in who will be on the final 53 but I would not be surprised if the final roster is similar to this. These are my current frontrunners in what are my expectations on the final roster.