With the 2023 NFL Draft in the rearview, we have a better idea of what the Dallas Cowboys roster will look like when the season begins.
With the dust settled, let's dive in and predict which 53 players will be on the roster for Dallas when Week 1 comes.
Dallas Cowboys way-too-early 2023 roster prediction
Of course, injuries and free-agent signings could change things up but here's how things should stand as of now.
Quarterback (2):
Dak Prescott
Cooper Rush
Will Grier made a case for himself last season but in the end, Cooper Rush won out as the No. 2 quarterback for Dallas. Considering he led them to a 4-1 mark when Dak Prescott was injured, it's hard to see Grier being able to make the roster now that he was re-signed.
The one question left is if he can clear waivers and make it o the practice squad. If so, he would be a great energency option but I think the Cowboys will be willing to gamble with that.
As for Prescott, he hopes to silence some of the doubters this season. Despite the missed time, he led the NFL in picks last year and has to hope the addition of Brandin Cooks will help him tremendously.
Running Back (3):
Tony Pollard
Deuce Vaughn
Malik Davis
It feels weird not seeing Ezekiel Elliott on the depth chart but Dallas moved on in the offseason. Jerry Jones might not have moved on though, as he continues to talk about a reunion. Honestly, that would be a mistake. This offense is built for speed they have that in Tony Pollard and rookie Deuce Vaughn.
Being able to run between the tackles is important but Pollard is actually criminally underrated in this regard. Vaughn did it as well at Kansas State despite being just 5-foot-5.
Lastly, there's Malik Davis who was undrafted out of Florida last year. He ran the ball 38 times for 161 yards and proved he can get it done if needed. He's already good enough for them to move on from Ronald Jones as well.
Wide Receiver (6):
CeeDee Lamb
Brandin Cooks
Michael Gallup
Jalen Tolbert
Simi Fehoko
KaVontae Turpin
The wide receiver depth chart looks immensely better this season than last. Brandin Cooks coming over from Houston makes all the difference in the world since they now have three guys who have hit the 1,000-yard mark in their careers — and Cooks has done it a lot with several different teams.
CeeDee Lamb proved he was ready for the WR1 role with a breakout campaign in 2022 but Michael Gallup was a disappointment. Hopefully, another year separating him from his torn ACL will help him bounce back.
Jalen Tolbert isn't going anywhere, even though he wasn't good as a rookie. As for the fifth spot, Simi Fehoko beats out rookie Jalen Brooks — barely. Both could be in trouble if a player becomes available during roster cuts — like Cedrick Wilson in Miami.
KaVontae Turpin is there as well, but his job will again center on the return game.
Tight End (3):
Luke Schoonmaker
Jake Ferguson
Peyton Hendershot
Luke Schoonmaker might have been the least underwhelming second second-round pick Dallas has made in quite a while. The good news is, he might not be a superstar but he's likely to be a decent starter.
Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot each were solid as rookies and while Schoonmaker has a higher ceiling — thus should be the starter — either one could make an impact anytime they're on the field.
Hendershot is especially intriguing as a receiver. He's still raw but his talent in this regard is evident and he has quite the opportunity in front of him considering the lack of a clear-cut TE1 now that Dalton Schultz is gone.
Offensive Line (9):
Tyron Smith
Tyler Smith
Tyler Biadasz
Zack Martin
Terence Steele
Chuma Edoga
Asim Richards
Matt Farinok
Matt Waletzko
During free agency, the Cowboys revealed one of the worst plans they've ever rolled out — and that's actually impressive given some of the things Jerry Jones has said in pressers. This time, Jones was talking about their offensive line and the plan to replace Connor McGovern, saying they won't use Tyler Smith to replace him.
Instead, they play to play him at left tackle and move Tyron Smith to right tackle. The problem is, that means Terence Steele, who was their best tackle in 2022, would move to the bench. That plan was bad then and looks worse now that they didn't draft a guard until Day 3 and added only Chuma Edoga in free agency — who also plays tackle.
Barring a trade or free agent signing, it looks as though this might have been another instance of Jerry talking about his plans while the adults did the smarter moves (see Manziel, Johnny and Lynch, Paxton as examples). With the roster as it is, Dallas should be ready to put their best five on the field which has both Smiths on the left, Tyler Biadasz in the middle, Zack Martin at right guard, and Steele at right tackle.
Edoga is the swing tackle in this plan with Matt Farinok as the No. 2 center and guard. Asim Richards could develop into the primary backup guard, but Farinok won't be easily unseated.
Josh Ball is apparently moving to guard but it's too little too late as he doesn't make the cut. Matt Waltezko rounds out the roster in his place.
Defensive Line (10):
DeMarcus Lawrence
Osa Odighizuwa
Mazi Smith
Dante Fowler
Dorance Armstrong
Sam Williams
Neville Gallimore
Viliami Fehoko
Chauncey Golston
Johnathan Hankins
It was a bit of a surprise to see Mazi Smith selected at No. 26 but it made a lot of sense. For years, Dallas has neglected the defensive tackle position. They've rolled out one third-round pick after another and for every Osa Odighizuwa who comes in and performs well, they get one Neville Gallimore who is fine, but a better reserve.
Behind those two, they have Johnathan Hankins who will specialize in run defense. Gallimore remains and can play either D-tackle spot. Chauncey Golston is considered a defensive end but can play the 3-tech as well, and will see the field plenty on passing downs again in 2023.
If the D-tackle spot feels crowded, it's nothing compared to the EDGE. DeMarcus Lawrence and Dorance Armstrong are the likely starters but Dante Fowler will be out there a lot — especially when it comes to passing downs. Sam Williams flashed as a rookie with four sacks and could challenge Fowler.
Throw in rookie Viliami Fehoko and it's beyond crowded. There was talk of his versatility allowing him to move inside occasionally, but Golston is already doing this. Don't be shocked if someone is used as trade bait.
What's impressive is, all of this is being said about the defensive line and we haven't even looked at their best pass rusher — who actually lines up as a linebacker.
Linebacker (6):
Micah Parsons
Leighton Vander Esch
Damone Clark
DeMarvion Overshown
Jabril Cox
Devin Harper
Remember when everyone was making fun of Micah Parsons for giving up a completion in his NFL debut against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? That overreaction is absolutely hilarious to think about at this point given the fact that he's been one of the most dominant defenders in the NFL with 26.5 sacks the past two years.
He's not only the leader of the linebacker corps, but the defense as well. He's also willing to speak his mind, evidenced by his asking Dan Quinn to draft Mazi Smith. In 2023, he's going to continue to be the leader of this defense.
Dallas also did well to retain Leighton Vander-Esch who has quietly turned into a reliable force at middle linebacker. Damone Clark will be an upgrade over Anthony Barr and DeMarvion Overshown could be a great developmental player.
Jabril Cox and Devin Harper will need to be special teams studs in order to make this team, and they have big shoes to fill with Luke Gifford leaving in free agency.
Cornerback (6):
Trevon Diggs
Stephon Gilmore
DaRon Bland
Kelvin Joseph
Jourdan Lewis
C.J. GoodwinJ
Adding Stephon Gilmore was a huge win for this front office. Pairing him with Trevon Diggs gives Dallas a potentially dominant starting duo. DaRon Bland was a breakout star as a rookie and beats out Jourdan Lewis as the nickel corner but Lewis stays around due to his experience and versatility.
Kelvin Joseph is on the bubble but he gets one more shot. Of course, that's only if he can beat out Nahshon Wright, which might not happen.
As for their sixth corner, C.J. Goodwin won't see the field a lot in the base defense but he continues to be a special teams leader.
Safety (5):
Jayron Kearse
Malik Hooker
Donovan Wilson
Israel Mukuamu
Markquese Bell
Dan Quinn came in and finally convinced the Cowboys that safeties matter. After years of plugging in value free agents, he has them paying actual starting-caliber safeties. Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, and Donovan Wilson have all been spectacular for this defense.
Wilson seemed ready to leave in free agency but retaining him was another huge win this offseason. He's a dynamic player who excels when attacking the line of scrimmage and fires his teammates up with his aggressive style of play.
Israel Mukuamu continues to play well when called upon and even stepped up as a slot corner last season when injuries forced them to mix things up. His versatility is huge and he sticks around for another season. The positional group is rounded out by Markquese Bell who also has flashed plenty of potential.
Specialists (3):
Tristan Vizcaino (for now)
Bryan Anger
Trent Sieg
Brett Maher was amazing in the regular season but then fell apart in the playoffs. He's now gone and Tristan Vizcaino gets the first crack at the job. For his career, he's made 11-of-12 field goals but has an ugly 15-of-20 mark on extra points.
He's just 26 but is on his fifth team already. It's hard to see the Cowboys not bringing in some competition, making him far from a lock to make the team.
From there, things seem to be set. Bryan Anger has been one of the top punters for years and if anyone else joins the team during camp it will be to keep him from being over-worked.
Trent Sieg is the long-snapper and as long as he does his job, he's not going anywhere.