After finishing my projections for the offensive side of the ball, the time has come to predict who will make the Dallas Cowboys roster on defense. The offense was fairly simple compared to what awaits us on the defensive side of the ball.
The defense has many holes to fill and although the team does have a lot of pieces to work with, what they are lacking is the main attraction. I do have a few names in mind that could elevate themselves into defensive star status but that topic is for a later date. What the Cowboys do have is a roster full of role players if deployed correctly, could be matched up to highlight their strengths and hide their weaknesses.
One example that comes to mind is matching up cornerback Jourdan Lewis on New Orleans superstar receiver Michael Thomas. Thomas had trouble when he was matched up against Lewis and those are the type of matchups this coaching staff should be trying to find on a weekly basis until someone shows them they should start at a position full time.
The 53 man roster is already up to 28 players with the offense taking up 25 slots and special teams taking up three spots by way of kicker, long snapper, and punter although I suspect the names at punter could change at any moment.
The defense has many holes to fill but surprisingly, there are some names that could become cap casualties as there simply aren’t enough roster spots to keep everyone.
Defenders have to realize this once camp opens. The defense is so wide open that getting a jump at the beginning of camp will be crucial to their success. What I mean by that is there will probably be a player that doesn’t play bad but will get bumped because he didn’t stand out.
There will surely be a few role players whose job will be to occupy blockers that will allow others to shine and those are going to be my only exceptions. The rest of the bodies attending camp must win their matchups in what should be a star-studded lineup on offense.
The defense has so many unknowns that this task kept tormenting me for leaving off a few names that I think had a shot at this roster when they first arrived. Hold on because this is going to be a bumpy ride.
Deciding who to keep at linebacker was the easiest position group to decipher and yet it was still tough to leave off a few names that have been in my hopeful category.
First-round pick Micah Parsons is a lock to make the roster and he should be the team’s opening day starter at middle linebacker. I took heat for criticizing the position and the players’ off-field issues yet I still think this guy could become a problem for opposing offenses.
With Parsons set to start in the middle, the weakside linebacker or “Will” should be manned by Leighton Vander Esch if healthy and not traded.
The strongside linebacker or “Sam” has gone through an evolution as of late. With the modern-day offense using the pass to move the ball more, the Sam backer has been the first position off the field in order to replace them with another defensive back.
This is where I have Jaylon Smith which should help him with his lateral movement and diagnosis issues when he is on the field in that capacity. The less field he is responsible for the faster he can diagnose and get there. The only issue that might arise is will be his ego.
Can a Dallas Cowboys defensive captain and player with so much spotlight take a lesser role for the good of the team? That is a camp question we will certainly get an answer to. Cutting or trading Jaylon Smith seems to be a popular opinion but I am not ready to give up on him yet nor do I think it is wise to carry such a big cap number for someone to not play for your football team.
With so many questions regarding the pass rush which I will get into later, Jaylon could be used to blitz more which is something new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has been known to do.
Keanu Neal is finally in a position to do what he does best. Neal was a big-time hitter coming from the secondary and now in Dallas, it is believed that he will stay with the linebackers. The thing about Neal is he can stay on the field as a linebacker and provide decent coverage as he was an above-average safety in Atlanta. Neal gets my fourth linebacker spot because there will be times a hybrid or spy will be needed.
The fifth and final position battle comes down to linebackers Francis Bernard, Luke Gifford, and rookie Jabril Cox.
I like all three of these guys and who knows, there always exists the possibility that one of the top four guys gets moved in order to keep two of the three aforementioned bubble linebackers.
I don’t see that happening so I broke this down as best as I could. Dan Quinn’s defense gives the appearance that there are more players closer to the line of scrimmage than there actually is. The reason is that he prefers to play his off-the-ball players a bit closer but not to the point where they are considered box guys.
The more guys it appears to have at the line of scrimmage is used to cause confusion and make the offense wonder where the blitz is coming from.
This has probably allowed Quinn’s defense’s to be better at the run than they actually are. It is easier to line up closer to the line of scrimmage and bail than it is to come downhill and make an open-field tackle.
For that reason, I think the Cowboy stick with rookie Jabril Cox as his pass coverage is very impressive. He does have to get better playing the run but in this day and age, pass covering linebackers are starting to become the norm.
Linebackers (5) (33)
- Micah Parsons (MLB1)
- Leighton Vander Esch (WLB1)
- Jaylon Smith (SLB1)
- Keanu Neal (WLB2)
- Jabril Cox (WLB3)
The safety position was very tricky but I think the Dallas Cowboys are going to be better this upcoming season than they have had before. Until someone proves they are the stud this team has been looking for, this group will have to rely on the strength of another group in order for them to flourish as a position group.
Free safety Damontae Kazee figures to man the free safety position as long as his recovery from a major knee injury doesn’t derail his progress. His recovery is crucial as there doesn’t seem to be a free safety like him on the roster.
Donovan Wilson is probably hoping that a new number change can significantly increase the numbers in his bank account. Most would figure Wilson to be the starter at strong safety but I would also pencil him in as the backup free safety.
I know Dallas has traditionally employed safeties that play interchangeable roles but I think that has more to do with need rather than want. Kazee is probably the closest safety we have all been asking for for years but I think Wilson is currently the best choice for second place.
I would like for the Dallas Cowboys to bring in former Indianapolis Colts free safety Malik Hooker just so that the Dallas Cowboys can have more than one safety who can play single high without worry.
Unless that happens, the backup safeties are more like the types we are accustomed to in Dallas. Strong safeties that excel near the line of scrimmage yet sometimes struggle in coverage, earn a spot due to their special teams’ play and are extremely affordable.
If you think back you can probably place most of the qualities of what I just mentioned in every safety this team has employed in the last ten years. Free-agent signee Jayron Kearse fits this profile which is why the team probably went after him.
I have Kearse as my backup strong safety and could be pressed into serious action if Wilson has to slide over to free safety if an injury were to occur to Kazee. Kearse also plays a big special team role which bumps another DB off of the roster which I will discuss a bit later.
Incumbent safety Darian Thompson was someone who I thought would get better with the more reps he received but he proved to be a liability in coverage at times also. He does carry a bigger price tag than most so Thompson has to significantly separate himself from the younger cheaper options in order to make his case.
Safeties Stephen Parker, Deante Burton, and Tyler Coyle both feel like they have an uphill climb in a thin safety group so you can understand my cries to give Hooker another look. The team could move second-year defensive back Reggie Robinson II back to safety but the back and forth for him feels like a kiss of death for him.
The release of Burton and Thompson would give the Cowboys around $2.1 million of salary-cap space. Thompson’s salary alone is larger than what presumed starting safety Kazee is set to make this season.
I am going to give the final roster spot to rookie Israel Mukuamu because I am intrigued with a larger college cornerback making the transition to safety. He obviously has the speed to compete at corner but he might be a little too stiff for the position on film. A move to safety should allow him to better utilize his speed without being turned around by wideouts.
Most of his college interceptions came when he was backpedaling with his eyes on the quarterback.
Safety (4) (37)
- Damontae Kazee (FS1)
- Donovan Wilson (SS1)
- Jayron Kearse (SS2)
- Israel Mukuamu (S3)
I’m going with six cornerbacks simply because I think the team will want options once the season starts. Trevon Diggs looks to build on a petty good rookie season and is looked at as the leader of this group.
Cornerback Anthony Brown revealed that he played injured for a portion of last season and I think he is also going to make this roster. Brown can play both outside and the slot making his versatility a big proponent of him making this team.
I would love for one of the two rookie corners to take a starting position opposite of Diggs which would make a healthy Brown a more effective player.
The two rookies I mentioned before are Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright. Before we anoint Wright as the next Richard Sherman, I would first like to see how both of those guys do once the pads come on. Wright has momentum heading into camp and although I am in wait-and-see mode with his progression, making the team would be my first concern with him.
Kelvin Joseph winning the starting cornerback job opposite Diggs is my dream scenario. This would put everyone in their correct position.
So Diggs, Joseph, and Brown figure to be my first three corners, the fourth will be the winner of Jourdan Lewis and Maurice Canady. If Joseph convincingly wins the cornerback number two job, Brown and Lewis could be your top two slot corners and Canady can be the backup outside guy. That is my hope so I am going to pencil it in.
So that is five guys making the roster but leaves a handful of hopefuls. The lead guy has to be C.J. Goodwin who rarely plays defense but is a special team’s ace. I think Jayron Kearse at safety provides both good special teams play and makes valuable contributions on defense and that is going to push Goodwin off of the roster. That move can save the Cowboys $800K.
So by simply moving on from three familiar veteran names that have underachieved when forced into action, the team can get younger and save almost $3 million from backup defensive back contributors.
With Goodwin out, the focus can turn to Reggie Robinson who deserves a shot to learn how to thrive learning one position. Robinson cannot let off the gas as Rashard Robinson (no relation) is hot on his heels. Unfortunately, Robinson is already labeled so he could hypothetically play safety in a pinch if an injury were to occur.
I think those guys are still behind the Nahshon Wright momentum train and I would expect a good amount of time to be discussed how he is progressing.
Wright has a lot of fans in the room so I would expect him to get the final spot and hope both Robinson’s can make it to the practice squad. I would expect Jourdan Lewis to get some safety reps as well which makes his case for the final 53.
Cornerbacks (6) (43)
- Trevon Diggs (CB1)
- Kelvin Joseph (CB2)
- Anthony Brown (SCB1)
- Jourdan Lewis (SCB2)
- Maurice Canady (CB3)
- Nahshon Wright (CB4)
I am going light here on the defensive end position and you will see why shortly. After the two primary pass rushers you think of when talking about the Dallas Cowboys, the backup defensive lineman are sort of the same players.
Demarcus Lawrence had a down-year statistically but is still the unquestioned star on the defensive side of the ball. The hope this year is centered around the health and availability of edge rusher Randy Gregory.
Those two guys get my starting nod. I also think free-agent acquisition Tarell Basham gets the third spot and is going to be the primary sub behind the starters. Even if he isn’t the primary, I figure him to have a decent role in the rotation.
Dallas drafted a few guys that aren’t traditional 4-3 defensive ends but are more like 3-4 defensive linemen. The Cowboys figure to employ that front from time to time so I have those guys under the defensive tackle section.
That makes rushing the passer as a traditional defensive end of high importance. Dorance Armstrong was a favorite of the last coaching staff and received much more playing time than he has been accustomed to.
Unfortunately, his performance was underwhelming. The coaching staff and front office talked him up and I have to now wonder if it was a ruse to try and drive his value up.
I am still intrigued by Bradlee Anae and I think he will surprise a few people. There were whispers that he was a selection made by the scouts and the coaching staff was against bringing him on. Now that there is a new defensive coordinator, my hope is that we see Anae on the field able to prove himself.
Anae is a high effort guy and I would have to imagine he has a few fans in the building. Effort guys usually turn into fan favorites so I am going to give the final defensive end spot to the unknown and see if I can get anything for Armstrong before placing him on waivers.
Defensive Ends (4) (47)
- DeMarcus Lawrence (RDE1)
- Randy Gregory (LDE1)
- Tarell Basham (LDE2)
- Bradlee Anae (RDE2)
The final six spots on the Dallas Cowboys 53 man roster are dedicated to the defensive tackle position with an eye on guys who can play 3-4 defensive end also.
I think Neville Gallimore is going to have a big year so I have him listed as defensive tackle number one in my book. The recovery of Tryten Hill from a major knee injury makes me think Gallimore is going to be the starting 3 technique but we should see plenty of Hill there also.
The one technique is going to be a rotation but I think that is where Brent Urban is going to be used. He isn’t the biggest guy but he is very consistent. Having a selfless guy like Urban occupy blockers so that those around him can make plays is something we have all been asking for.
Sure, he may not be the name or have the prototypical size some were hoping for but he is a guy I am glad is on the roster.
Trysten Hill was starting to find his footing before getting hurt last season and I expect him to rotate regularly with Gallimore at the three spot but also figures to be a good four technique when the defense splits their LEO out wide. Things get really crazy after this. Before we get to the other guys, I am carving out a space for a specialist.
That specialist is Quinton Bohanna and he is the plug in the middle. Any short yardage or goal line stance has to start with Bohann lined up over the center. Having a guy in the middle that is rarely pushed back has to be his primary job and focus.
Rookies get in trouble when they try and do too much when they should be perfecting their strengths. All Bohanna has to do to make a roster spot is not give up any ground while providing the occasional push up the middle. His ability to back up the regulars at the one technique will be a bonus and his sheer size will automatically make the linebackers behind him able to flow freely to the ball carrier.
With four guys slated to make the roster already and spots nearly depleted, versatility has to be the name of the game.
Defensive tackle Carlos Watkins was a free agent pickup from the Houston Texans and was arguably their best run-stopping interior lineman last season. I was happy to hear that until I found out Houston had the worst run defense in the league last season.
Houston was only one of two teams to give up 2,500 rushing yards last season.
While he has that working against him, he also has two third-round rookies to deal with. Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Golston look to be reincarnations of Tyrone Crawford. Hard-working stout individuals who fell positionless.
I hope that the new defensive staff can figure out a way to get these guys on the field without having them think too much. Whenever rookies start off learning multiple positions, it often stunts their growth. As I was writing this I was prepared to cut one of these third-round rookies in favor of Carlos Watkins but I had a change of heart.
Watkins could and should make this roster but I think the Cowboys are going to run a 3-4 front more often than we probably think and that is exactly where you get instant production from your rookies.
3-4 defensive ends have a similar job to a one technique. They are asked to occupy blockers while playing the run in order for the pass rushers to harass the quarterback. If these two guys can show the strength to hold up against grown men in the middle, the Cowboys can alternate and rest their defensive lineman simply by changing what type of front they want to employ.
What if opponents started their opening drive and saw a row of the three drafted rookie defensive linemen consisting of Odighizuwa, Bohanna, and Golston maintaining blocks while a combination of pass rushers, which includes linebackers and safeties, rush from different angles.
In the next series, the opponent comes out for another drive only to see a well-rested traditional front of Lawrence, Gregory, Gallimore, and Hill awaiting them. This versatility can not only buy rest time for the defensive line but it also gives you more time before the opponent can catch on to what you are doing.
Imagine having to alternate your play calling depending on what kind of defense is lined up. Those types of moving parts could give your defense the extra edge that could be needed to compete for a playoff spot. I am tired of having the defense bend but not break. The Cowboys have to do something different and start trying to attack people. What’s to lose, it can’t get any worse than it was last season.
I really want to keep Watkins on the team but I have both rookies making the squad and Watkins the odd man out. I just hope I haven’t made a “Woody” Dantzler type of mistake.
Interior Defensive Lineman (6) (53)
- Neville Gallimore
- Bent Urban
- Trysten Hill
- Quinton Bohanna
- Osa Odighizuwa
- Chauncey Golston
With my final 53 man roster set, the first thing everyone always looks at is who did not make the Dallas Cowboys 53 man roster. Carlos Watkins, C.J. Goodwin, Darian Thompson, Dorance Armstrong, Rashard Robinson, Jeremy Sprinkle, Deante Burton, Malik Turner, and Justin Hamilton are all notable roster cuts.
Players like Ron’Dell Carter, Josh Ball, Francis Bernard, Luke Gifford, and Hunter Niswander are all practice squad guys I would love to keep but the spotlight of Hard Knocks could make them great poach candidates.
There is always a salary cap concern but this roster could be a plus. The Dallas Cowboys, like the rest of the NFL, only need to count the top 51 earning players against the salary cap. The salary of the 52nd and 53rd players do not count toward the equation.
With the Dallas Cowboys only carrying about $5.4 million in cap space entering training camp, any moves the team makes have to be done with some sort of salary cap consciousness.
Those first nine names I listed above would have all counted against the cap as all of those guys had top 51 salaries. The collective dollar amount associated with those names above comes out to roughly $10.6 million.
That amount is substantial but you do have to subtract the monetary compensation due to be earned by their replacements. The good thing with this is most of the replacements are going to carry a rookie salary.
The defensive side of the ball is going to lack experience but I think the front office is tired of rolling out the usual suspects. It appears as if the time has come for the team to actually rotate players on the defensive side of the ball and see what sticks.
The alternative has not been fruitful. I said this before and will continue to say today that injuries will have a major impact on how this defense is constructed. If the Dallas Cowboys stay healthy, I would expect the final roster to look similar to what I have just rolled out.