The preseason is over. Offseason practices are over. While some players get well-earned rest this weekend, others won't be able to sleep a wink. Cut day is looming, with a 6:00 pm EST deadline on Sunday, and the news will start rolling in quickly as this Cowboys roster gets whittled down to 53 players.
Based on the games, the practice reports, coaches' press conferences, and every other nugget of information we've been able to find, here's our final roster projection for 2026.
You can reference last week's projection here.
Cowboys updated 53-man roster prediction ahead of final cuts
Quarterback (3) - Dak Prescott, Joe Milton III, Sam Howell
Even without his fully-guaranteed contract, Sam Howell still feels like he belongs on the 53 for his performance. He may not have the "WOW" factor of Milton, but he has real-game experience and a solid blend of mobility and arm strength. Howell has had his own good moments this summer, enough that he might be hard to get to the practice squad.
Running back (4) - Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, Hunter Luepke
The preseason finale pretty much confirmed this group. Davis and Blue both sat out, leaving Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda to take those last carries of August. An addition from other team's cuts isn't outside the realm here, especially if they want another power option on the depth chart.
Wide receiver (5) - CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo
Mingo sat out the finale, all but confirming that he's made the roster. So will the Cowboys go long to keep Camden Brown? I am sure they want to, but the math isn't mathing. If they can find a way to stash Drew Shelton or Devin Moore on IR, maybe it happens.
Even if they can't get Brown to practice squad, the Cowboys should have some other quality options there like Jordan Hudson and Tyler Johnson for their 2026 campaign.
Tight end (3) - Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
Michael Trigg hasn't done enough to avoid the practice squad. He clearly has special receiving traits, but not enough to make up for the deficiencies in his game. If there's still any lingering issue from his mid-August toe injury, they may try to use that to get him onto IR.
Offensive tackle (4) - Tyler Guyton, Terence Steele, Nate Thomas, Drew Shelton
At this point, LG Tyler Smith is your backup left tackle. Thomas hangs around for now but could easily be dumped before Week 1 for a veteran swing or just a prospect they like better from another roster. G Ajani Cornelius also gives you some emergency tackle use.
Yes, keeping Shelton for pure development stings a bit. They might be willing to cut a fourth-round pick if some other OT option, like a UDFA, had had a great camp. But it's not like anyone else has pushed Shelton off the roster.
Guard/Center (6) - Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, T.J. Bass, Nick Leverett, Ajani Cornelius
With Shelton likely to spend the year as a gameday inactive, you have to keep 10 total offensive linemen. Leverett has been one of the bigger surprises of the summer, and Cornelius' move to guard saved his job for a year.
Defensive tackle (5) - Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, L.T. Overton, Tommy Dunn
The big question here is what happens with veteran Jonathan Bullard. An early camp injury has kept him out for a month, and strong play from Ogbonnia and Overton have made him somewhat expendable. I think Dallas sticks with the youth and hangs on to Dunn, arguably the standout of the young DT prospects.
Outside Linebacker (5) - Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, James Houston
I've always felt like they'd keep five OLBs. They have two guys from other positions with pass-rushing experience in L.T. Overton and Jaishawn Barham. It's a good opportunity to economize your roster spots.
The Miller signing made this five feel pretty certain. Sam Williams is still too inconsistent on the field, and Marist Liufau's move to OLB was interesting, but never impactful. He might have lucked out with a wrist injury against Saints, which could keep Liufau on IR and able to return in 2027.
Inside linebacker (5) - DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James, Justin Barron
I'm confident that it will be five guys, especially with Markquese Bell giving you an emergency LB option from safety. Barron's spot may end up going to Curtis Robinson for more experienced depth, but you have to like Barron's upside.
Cornerback (5) - DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel Jr., Cobie Durant, Caelen Carson, Devin Moore
I have a hard time keeping Caelen Carson around, but it just doesn't feel like anyone's clearly stepped up to push him out. They need at least one more true outside CB, and he still feels like the guy. But if they end up dumping him for Trikweze Bridges or Ameer Speed, I wouldn't be at all surprised.
Moore sticks around as a fourth-round guy for further development, likely to be in street clothes with Drew Shelton for much of the year.
Safety (5) - Jalen Thompson, Caleb Downs, P.J. Locke, Malik Hooker, Markquese Bell
There are some tough cuts here, especially Alijah Clark and Julius Wood. But the top four are certain and Bell remains a valued roster member for his versatility, special teams work, and experience.
Specialists (3) - Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
The Three Amigos ride again.
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