DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys came into the offseason knowing that they were likely to lose many of their quality free agents, which they were going to replace mostly through the draft. That plan was executed as intended, though not without consternation.
Skipping out almost entirely on free agency wasn’t the desired path for fans of the team, but the organization claims to feel good about where they’re at after the draft. With signing free agents now no longer counting against their compensatory pick formula for next season, expect the Cowboys to add another veteran or two before training camp. Reuniting running back Ezekiel Elliott was the first player to be signed, and the hope is that more quality arrives.
After the draft, it’s easy to find a significant amount of turnover from the 2023 season. Here’s a post-draft look at what the 53-man roster could look like for the Cowboys:
QB (2): Dak Prescott, Trey Lance
The place of these two quarterbacks on the roster is safe. Prescott is the starter and is coming off a season in which he finished second in the MVP voting while Lance is expected to be the primary backup in his second season with Dallas.
Cooper Rush is gone in this scenario. Cutting the veteran quarterback could save the Cowboys a couple of millions on their cap, which would help a cash-strapped team.
The Cowboys invested in Lance, Rush cannot be taking away snaps in training camp or preseason games from a quarterbacks that they need to see more of. Lance is the No. 2 quarterback and he needs a long look from the team, especially considering the contract situation with Prescott.
RB (4): Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke
The running back situation is worth monitoring, Elliott and Dowdle should be safe, but much could change before the season starts. The team could add another running back if they don’t like what they see in the group.
Recently signed Royce Freeman got left out in this prediction as the team could elect to keep second-year players Vaughn and fullback Luepke.
WR (6): CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, veteran WR
The Cowboys have a good starting tandem and Tolbert is expected to have a larger role in the passing game, but there isn’t much after those three. Return specialist Turpin was more involved with the offense last year and that needs to continue in 2024 with the lack of quality options.
Brooks could stick in his second season, but he’ll need to fend off rookie sixth-rounder Ryan Flournoy, who has the traits to be a contributor. It’s unlikely that the team will enter the season with just two reliable wide receivers, so watch for them to add another veteran option before the 2024 campaign begins.
TE (4): Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens, Brevyn Spann-Ford
There is little doubt about the top two on the depth chart, Ferguson is a Pro Bowl tight end and Schoonmaker is heading into his second season after being selected in the second round last season. Also, for the second year in a row, the team could be keeping an undrafted free agent.
Spann-Ford is already garnering buzz and was a tight end who many thought would be drafted.
Stephens was on his way to making the roster last summer before an injury cost him his rookie year. This group would make for one of the youngest, most athletic tight end rooms in the league.
OL (9): Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Zack Martin, Terence Steele, Chuma Edoga, Asim Richards, T.J. Bass, Nathan Thomas
Offensive line should be one of the more interesting position battles in training camp. The team boasts several linemen who can play multiple positions, so the team has some flexibility with who they keep and how they align them.
The starting five look like the only sure things, and veteran Edoga likely stays because the team is now fairly young along the offensive line with projected starters Smith, Beebe, and Guyton all premium picks within the last three years.
DL (9): DeMarcus Lawrence, Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Micah Parsons, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, Chauncey Golston, Viliami Fehoko, Carl Davis
The defensive line was one of the areas where Dallas was raided the most in free agency this spring so the Cowboys don’t have a lot of depth with this group, either at end or tackle. Nevertheless, these nine look like strong options to make the initial roster. Camp and preseason could produce a surprise for the last defensive linemen spot or two, but the top six names should be written in ink.
Davis and Golston are veterans who need to have solid camps to keep their spots, while Fehoko looks to make the second-year jump after not playing as a rookie. The Cowboys should be in on trying to add a quality veteran defensive tackle.
LB (5): Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau, Damien Wilson
Another year where the Cowboys are light at linebacker, but with how defense is played these days, five should be plenty. Kendricks leads the group, much like Leighton Vander Esch did the last few years, while Clark, Overshwon, and Liufau are locks to make it if they make it out of camp healthy.
Wilson was just re-signed by the Cowboys, but he hardly has a firm grip on a roster spot. Watch for the Cowboys to monitor the LB options from across the league before the season begins.
CB (6): Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Caelen Carson, C.J. Goodwin, Veteran CB
The top three in the cornerback room are as good as it gets in the league, but there is little reliable depth behind them. Carson is a rookie who the team felt was a steal in Round 5 of the draft, while Goodwin stays as a core special teams player who will be among the final cuts before being added back to the team.
Adding a veteran cornerback seems important for the Cowboys, and the hope is that Stephon Gilmore will return. If that doesn’t happen, the remaining options are Eric Scott and Nahshon Wright, neither inspire confidence.
Safety (5): Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Markquese Bell, Israel Mukuamu, Juanyeh Thomas
The safety room looks much like it did last year, with Bell returning to his natural position and taking the place of Jayron Kearse. New DC Mike Zimmer didn’t feel the need to add a safety in the draft, a sign he likes the current group.
ST (3): Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
This is the same trio as last year as the team brings back their All-Pro kicker who came out of nowhere to be near perfect in his first season.
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