We've had over two weeks of training camp and a preseason game to help determine the Dallas Cowboys' eventual 53-man roster for 2026. There's still plenty that could change between now and August 30, but even these early phases have brought us closer to clarity.
We had a projection almost three weeks ago, just as camp was getting started. Based on all of the evidence to date, plus some predictions about decisions the team might make regarding injured reserve and other circumstances, here's the best guess as of today:
Cowboys 53-man roster prediction after Week 1 of preseason
Quarterback (3) - Dak Prescott, Sam Howell, Joe Milton III
There's been little to distinguish Howell from Milton in the QB2 battle, with even their performance in the Seattle game ending in a draw. It was a good kind of tie, with both looking calm and effective. If that continues over the rest of the preseason, the Cowboys may be forced to keep both on the 53.
While Dallas ran with just Milton as a backup QB on last year's roster, that was because they had the luxury of stashing WIll Grier on the practice squad without fear of him being poached. The risk would definitely go up with Howell or Milton, who are still young and could be intriguing to other teams.
Running back (4) - Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, Hunter Luepke
If Mafah can recover quickly from the chest injury that sidelined him in Seattle, this is still our group for Week 1. But if the recovery takes a bit, we could easily see Mafah getting put on IR to start the year and Malik Davis being retained for a while.
Saturday was a good reminder of Davis' value as a pure ball carrier. There might be a little fool's gold in it, given Dallas' lack of offensive line depth showed up more early when Blue and Mafah were getting carries. Once the Seahawks' bottom-tier defenders were in, the offense was doing better across the board.
Still, Davis is always waiting in the wings if there's an opening on the depth chart. We're sticking with the young guys for now, but we're inching closer to a shift.
Wide receiver (5) - CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Camden Brown
Those top four aren't in doubt. Even if you're out on Turpin as much of an offensive contributor, he's still on another level as a return man from anyone else on the team. That, plus the occasional gadget plays, are worth keeping around.
Camden Brown's ascension is the big story here. Just when Jonathan Mingo was starting to put some respect back on his name, Brown made us forget it.
Granted, he's far from the first UDFA receiver to grab the spotlight in August. But at this rate, based on both camp reports and what we saw Saturday, it's hard to argue that he isn't the fifth best WR on the roster.
Tight end (4) - Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker, Michael Trigg
One reason we don't have Dallas keeping a sixth WR is because of Trigg making the roster. His versatility to play some big slot and other receiving roles. We're not ready to dump Schoonmaker, given the other needs of your backup TEs as blockers and special-teamers. But Trigg's upside is too good to risk on the practice squad.
Offensive tackle (4) - Tyler Guyton, Terence Steele, Nate Thomas, Drew Shelton
If Nate Thomas doesn't stop drawing flags, he might lose his spot to a veteran free agent as swing tackle. But until a move is made, this group is fairly certain. We could also see another tackle being added or making it so that Shelton can spend the year in street clothes, but we'll see how the next couple of weeks go before banishing him to inactive duty.
Guard/Center (5) - Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, T.J. Bass, Nick Leverett
We might be off by not keeping a sixth interior OL, but you have to go short somewhere to facilitate a a third QB, a fourth TE, and other decisions. With Bass and Leverett, you have two backups who can play both center and guard.
Throw in Nate Thomas' as a potential guard option, and that seems like enough to get you through a game. But we could easily see Trevor Keegan, Chris Glaser, or Ajani Cornelius also sticking around as a 10th lineman.
Defensive tackle (5) - Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, L.T. Overton, Kelvin Gilliam
Cutting veteran Jonathan Bullard is hard, and perhaps foolish. But remember, he was signed before they drafted Overton. They're pegged to play similar roles as smallish defensive linemen.
Meanwhile, Gilliam is a more natural 3-4 DE, and they probably need one more of those guys in the stable. With Bullard also missing a lot of camp with an injury, it just feels like he's falling behind in the roster race.
Outside Linebacker (5) - Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, James Houston
That Von MIller signing sure did shake some things up! We only had five OLBs making the team this year, given the potential for guys from other positions like L.T. Overton, Jaishawn Barham, and DeMarvion Overshown to rush the passer.
We don't see why the Miller signing changes that, so the fall guy probably comes from within the position.
Before Miller joined, Sam Williams seemed likely to make the roster. All reports are that he's had a strong camp, and he received a solid $2 million guarantee on his one-year deal to return to Dallas. But we've never seen any indication that he's a better edge than James Houston.
So unless the Cowboys are going to go six-deep at OLB, they'll probably eat that money and cancel Williams' last-chance season.
Inside linebacker (5) - DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James, Justin Barron
As long as Overshown, Winters, and Barham are all healthy to start the year, we're okay with inexperienced depth in James and Barron behind them. If any of that top three miss time, we could easily see veteran Curtis Robison moving into the mix, or an outside signing.
But with only two ILBs on the field most of the time in 3-4 or nickel looks, five feels like the right number overall.
Cornerback (5) - DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel Jr., Cobie Durant, Caelen Carson, Devin Moore
Picking the down-roster guys at corner and safety right now is tough, and probably subject to change the most between now and final cuts. While Carson didn't have a great showing in Seattle, he's still probably the best option for a backup outside corner. It'd be nice if Devin Moore could show enough to claim that spot, but being injured lately isn't helping.
Of all the other backups, we like Reddy Steward the best based on last year. He's more of a true slot. But they aren't going to cut Moore, a fourth-round pick and perceived steal. Maybe they'll stick Moore on IR if another opportunity arises, but for now he's on the roster.
Safety (5) - Jalen Thompson, Caleb Downs, P.J. Locke, Malik Hooker, Alijah Clark
Again, this is tough to gauge right now. Markquese Bell was a tough cut given his versatility, experience, and that he had some nice plays against the Seahawks.
But Clark has reportedly had a strong camp and also has potential as a slot defender and on special teams. Keeping a fifth safety seems likely this year, so we're rolling with Clark for now.
Specialists (3) - Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
No explanation required.
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