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In a way, trying to predict a final roster is a fool's errand at this point. James Houston, for example, wasn't even on the team at this point a year ago, but he eventually made the roster. Ryan Flournoy, an emerging player and unquestioned No. 3 receiver heading into this training camp, was waived when the final roster was set last season.
So don't look at this first 53-man roster prediction as an indicator of exactly what will happen. Instead, look at it as a barometer for where the Cowboys stand heading into training camp.
Here's a look at our first roster prediction, notable cuts, and players who are darkhorse candidates to make the team:
Quarterback (3)
Dak Prescott, Sam Howell, Joe Milton III
Notable cuts: N/A
Briefly: Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott would probably urge you not to issue causation due to correlation, but still, there is a trend worth noting when it comes to his career. Since 2020, he's alternated between playing a full season and missing a significant amount of time. This coming season, he's trying to string together healthy seasons in back-to-back years for the first time since 2019. That makes having a backup quarterback position important. The Cowboys brought in Sam Howell to compete with the raw but talented Joe Milton. Howell has a full season's worth of starting experience. Could that be enough to win the battle?
Wild card: If the Cowboys see enough from Howell or Milton, could they run the risk of having just two quarterbacks on the active roster? It's something they did a season ago with Milton and former quarterback Will Grier, who spent all of last season on the practice squad but recently announced his retirement.
Running back (5)
Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, Hunter Luepke, Malik Davis
Notable cuts: Israel Abanikanda, Dominic Richardson
Briefly: The Cowboys know who their starting running back will be. That's why you won't see much of Javonte Williams during preseason. They've also been adamant about their optimism for second-year running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. They expect both to take a big step this season. That probably places Malik Davis on the roster bubble. In this case, however, we keep Davis. He's someone the Cowboys know they can trust on special teams. He's the team's starting personal protector on punt coverage. Will that be enough for him to make the roster?
Wild card: The Cowboys signed Hunter Luepke to an extension last season, but he was used on just over 20% of the offensive snaps last season. Could he be on the bubble, especially if the emergence of a run-blocking tight end like Brevyn Spann-Ford continues in camp?
Wide receiver (5)
CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Traeshon Holden
Notable cuts: Jonathan Mingo, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Anthony Smith
Briefly: The top four receivers are locked in. The competition for the fifth receiver should be fierce, however. Here, we give it to Holden, who impressed during last year's training camp and spent the entirety of his rookie season on the practice squad. There are plenty of other candidates, including Smith, this year's seventh-round pick, and Valdes-Scantling, a veteran who has bounced around the last few years.
Wild card: The two undrafted free agent receivers, Camden Brown and Jordan Hudson, should also be included in that competition.
Tight end (3)
Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
Notable cuts: Michael Trigg, D.J. Rogers, Princeton Fant
Briefly: The spotlight is on Schoonmaker, the team's former second-round pick who's entering the final year of his rookie contract. He has 49 catches in three seasons thus far. He understands that this is a make-or-break season for him when it comes to his Cowboys' tenure, starting with training camp. He also feels healthy and confident heading into an important season.
Wild card: The Cowboys usually keep their highest-paid undrafted free agent. Trigg and Rogers were the two highest-paid. Could one of the undrafted rookies do enough to push for a roster spot?
Offensive line (9)
Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, TJ Bass, Nate Thomas, Drew Shelton, Trevor Keegan
Notable cuts: Ajani Cornelius, Nick Leverett
Briefly: This is one position where we went pretty light. The Cowboys might take a different path. The big question when it comes to offensive line is whether Guyton can win the left tackle job and cement himself there. If not, then it could open the door for a competition with Thomas and Shelton. Smith could also be a candidate to move out from left guard to left tackle if needed.
Wild card: Position flex could be important in the race for the final offensive line spots on the roster. It'll be intriguing to see if Cornelius and Leverett work in multiple spots.
Interior defensive line (5)
Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, LT Overton
Notable cuts: Jay Toia, Tommy Dunn
Briefly: This is the strongest interior core the Cowboys have had in quite some time. Williams and Clark should be the standouts of the unit. Both should also be motivated to earn bigger contracts in the near future. Ogbonnia is someone who could get the initial crack at being the third defensive lineman, though Overton, the rookie out of Alabama, has some intriguing potential in different sub packages.
Wild card: This is another position where I went a little light. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Cowboys have more in their defensive tackle room.
Outside linebacker/Edge (5)
Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, James Houston, Sam Williams
Notable cuts: Marist Liufau, Tyrus Wheat, Isaiah Land
Briefly: The significant one here is obviously Liufau. He's heading into his third season after the Cowboys selected him in the third round out of Notre Dame. He hasn't seen the field a ton during his career thus far. This year, the Cowboys said he would be moving to outside linebacker. He looked bigger in training camp and the Cowboys have insisted he could have a larger role this season. It'll be on him to earn that in training camp. Williams is the other interesting decision here. Could he bounce back after a disappointing season last year? The Cowboys brought him back for a reason, albeit on an inexpensive deal.
Wild card: Charles Snowden will be suspended for the first three games and won't be on the active roster. Could he be someone they stash and activate later?
Inside linebacker (5)
DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, Curtis Robinson, Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James
Notable cuts: Justin Barron
Briefly: This group has some potential - that is, if it can stay relatively healthy. Overshown is the clearest example. He's played 19 games in three seasons so far. This was his first completely healthy offseason since he tore his ACL before the start of his rookie season. He has high hopes heading into the final year of his contract. Winters started 17 games for the 49ers last season. Barham, a third-round pick this year, has intriguing potential.
Wild card: The question of whether the Cowboys will add another veteran linebacker could linger all training camp. Bobby Wagner is out there. So is Bobby Okereke. Could one of them be added before training camp ends?
Cornerback (7)
DaRon Bland, Caelen Carson, Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel, Caleb Downs, Devin Moore, Derion Kendrick
Notable cuts: Josh Butler, Trikweze Bridges, Reddy Steward, Zion Childress
Briefly: The cornerbacks will be interesting to watch in training camp. There's not only a battle for the starting jobs, but also the back end of the roster. As for the starters, the big question is whether Bland can return to his All-Pro form after having back-to-back seasons with surgery on the same foot. He didn't practice during minicamp as he continued to heal. He'll have competition from Durant - a standout during minicamp - as well as Revel and Carson. Downs looks like the unquestioned starter in the slot, but who will be his backup? Steward and Childress could push for that.
Wild card: The Cowboys have had success finding talent in the spring league. Could Ameer Speed, a standout in the UFL, be the latest?
Safety (3)
Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson, PJ Locke
Notable cuts: Markquese Bell, Julius Wood
Briefly: This is another light position, but I think the addition of Downs allows for some secondary flexibility. Speaking of: Thompson and Locke also provide a lot of position flexibility for Christian Parker's secondary.
Wild card: Bell has been with the Cowboys for a while now. His ability on special teams and the depth he provides at safety wouldn't make him an easy cut.
Special teams (3)
Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
Notable cuts: N/A
Briefly: I'd say a new deal means new expectations for Aubrey, but it really doesn't. The Cowboys expect him to be one of the best kickers in the league this season.
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