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Cowboys 2022 53-man roster projection heading into training camp

By Terence Watson

Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) leads his team onto the field before the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) leads his team onto the field before the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys
Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Defensive Depth Chart (25 Players)

Defensive End:

DeMarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler Jr., Dorance Armstrong, Chauncey Golston, Sam Williams

According to reports from Bryan Broaddus, the best-looking unit so far in these practices has been the Cowboys’ defensive ends. That’s a great thing to hear this early in camp, especially after the loss of Randy Gregory. That gives fans hope that this group could once again be as disruptive as they were last season. The Cowboys’ pass rush should be just fine in 2022.

Defensive Tackles:

Quinton Bohanna, Osa Odighizuwa, John Ridgeway, Neville Gallimore, Trysten Hill

The team is expecting a lot out of Gallimore and Odighizuwa heading into the 2022 season but they’ve also got high hopes for their two other big-bodied defenders in Bohanna and Ridgeway. Ridgeway has already started trying to get his point across as a player that will not be intimidated as he’s gone toe-to-toe with each Cowboys offensive lineman, even starting a scuffle or two. That’s what I want to see out of my defensive linemen – a no-nonsense and bully mentality.  I have a feeling they will do a lot better against the run in 2022 with this group manning the line.

Linebackers:

Micah Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch, Jabril Cox, Luke Gifford, Devin Harper

No surprises here for the Cowboys at linebacker, though an injury could open the door a bit for Aaron Hansford (an undrafted free agent) to sneak in and take a roster spot from Gifford or Harper if they go down.

The biggest conversation here will be if Cox can take the starting role next to Parsons away from Vander Esch which I think he can. There may also be a chance that Dallas decides to make a move and bring in another linebacker with the injury concerns around Vander Esch and Cox. It would be smart on their part to do it.

Cornerbacks:

Trevon Diggs, Kelvin Joseph, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Nahshon Wright, DaRon Bland

So far things have been pretty quiet with Joseph and his off-the-field legal issues, so that’s a good thing for his status for the Cowboys right now. The next thing for Joseph to work on is beating out Brown to start opposite Diggs. He’s got all the talent to do it but he needs to get his head in the game. The Cowboys could then move Brown back to the slot cornerback spot, a position he was very good at.

Safeties:

Malik Hooker, Jayron Kearse, Markquese Bell, Donovan Wilson

I still believe that Hooker and Kearse will be your day one starters and Wilson will serve as their backup at strong safety. However, after these practices and how he’s been worked, I have a feeling that Markquese Bell is going to beat out Israel Mukuamu who I thought would be a backup on the roster. Bell was the Cowboys’ priority free agent after the draft and they gave him a nice amount of money, and you don’t do that unless you really want that player on your roster.

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