Every single roster lock on the Dallas Cowboys ahead of training camp that is nearly guaranteed to make the 53-man roster

The Dallas Cowboys are one week away from training camp, and it’s time to take a closer look at their roster construction. Let’s start with those players who are firmly projected to make the 53-man roster barring any injuries.

NFL roster building is an art. And a difficult one. The Dallas Cowboys report to training camp on July 28 and by Aug. 30, they must cut down their roster from 91 players to 53.

One week before the start of camp in Oxnard, California, I decided to take a look at each position to determine players who are “roster locks.” In total, I counted 38, meaning the Cowboys should be 72% done with their roster construction and there are 15 spots up for grabs based on my calculations.

However, injuries happen in football so these are virtual locks. Some wild turns will take place throughout the summer as usual, but based on what we know now, these are the players I believe to be guaranteed a spot on the team if healthy.

Quarterback

• Dak Prescott

Joe Milton and Sam Howell for QB2 will be one of the biggest battles to watch in training camp. I don’t think the loser of the competition is making the 53-man roster, so only Prescott gets the roster locks honors in this exercise.

Running back

• Javonte Williams
• Hunter Luepke (FB)

It may sound a little crazy to leave out second-year running back Jaydon Blue, who I do expect to make the team. But I can’t quite reach “lock status” based on Blue spending most of his rookie season as a healthy scratch because of consistency and trust issues. So far, Blue is on the right track but I have to see that continue in Oxnard as well.

Listing Mafah as a roster lock is tempting. Like Blue, I expect him to make the team. But this is a position I could see the Cowboys addressing in free agency prior to the start of the season so I’ll leave them both off of it.

Wide receiver

• CeeDee Lamb
• George Pickens
• Ryan Flournoy
• KaVontae Turpin

This is one of the easiest positions to project when it comes to roster locks. The top three names on the list are all projected starters and Turpin’s spot on the team is secure thanks to his All-Pro credentials as a return specialist. After these four, expect the likes of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jonathan Mingo, Traeshon Holden to compete with members of a rookie class including seventh-round pick Anthony Smith.

Tight end

• Jake Ferguson
• Brevyn Spann-Ford

The elephant in the room is the absence of Luke Schoonmaker above. Spann-Ford gets the nod because he brings stellar run blocking to the table. Schoonmaker needs to prove he can bring something reliable enough for the Cowboys to not bet on undrafted rookie Michael Trigg, who projects as a receiver-first type tight end.

Offensive line

• Tyler Guyton
• Tyler Smith
• Cooper Beebe
• Tyler Booker
• Terence Steele
• Drew Shelton
• TJ Bass
• Nate Thomas

Aside from the starting five linemen, fourth-round rookie Drew Shelton, swing guard T.J. Bass, and swing tackle Nate Thomas get the roster locks honors here. Shelton is someone they’ll want to develop, whereas the other two are in line to take the place of anyone who goes down injured. Something to watch is who will emerge as the backup center, with Trevor Keegan and Chris Glaser as candidates.

Defensive tackle

• Kenny Clark
• Quinnen Williams
• Otito Ogbonnia

Starting line-up wise, this is one of the best groups on the Cowboys roster. The questions are at the rest of the depth chart. I believe Ogbonnia’s versatility to play anywhere on the defensive line will earn him a spot, plus there’s no other clear-cut candidate to push him off of the 53.

EDGE / Outside linebacker

• Rashan Gary
• Donovan Ezeiruaku
• Malachi Lawrence
• LT Overton

Gary was one of the Cowboys’ biggest acquisitions of the offseason and he joins second-year Ezeiruaku as the projected starters at EDGE. First-round rookie Malachi Lawrence is obviously not going anywhere and neither is fourth-round rookie LT Overton, who could spend time at DT, too. The battle to watch is the one for the last spot or two at the position. Sam Williams, james Houston, Marist Liufau and others will battle it out at camp.

Charles Snowden’s suspension likely removes him from the conversation at least early on.

Inside linebacker

• DeMarvion Overshown
• Dee Winters
• Jaishawn Barham

Besides the above three, who are projected to have significant roles on defense, it’s anyone’s guess. Especially because there might be another linebacker on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster who is still not on the team. Veteran free agents like Bobby Wagner look like legit candidates for Dallas.

Cornerback

• DaRon Bland
• Cobie Durant
• Shavon Revel Jr.
• Devin Moore

I don’t see the Cowboys cutting fourth-round rookie Devin Moore, so there’s pretty much one or two spots up for grabs. Keep in mind, safety Caleb Downs will take on nickel responsibilities. Caelen Carson took first-team reps during the offseason program, so he may have the early lead over players like Reddy Steward, Josh Butler, and Derion Kendrick, among others.

Safety

• Caleb Downs
• Jalen Thompson
• Malik Hooker
• P.J. Locke

The first three names on the list will likely be starting in September. Locke, meanwhile, is shaping up to be the top backup at the position and is a Christian Parker guy. I wonder if Alijah Clark or Markquese Bell can crack the 53 but they’re certainly on the roster bubble.

Specialists

• Brandon Aubrey (K)
• Bryan Anger (P)
• Trent Sieg (LS)

These three don’t even have competitors eyeing their spots on the team. No notes.

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