{"id":45085,"date":"2025-04-30T00:46:59","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T00:46:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=45085"},"modified":"2025-04-30T00:46:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T00:46:59","slug":"projecting-the-cowboys-53-man-roster-after-the-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=45085","title":{"rendered":"Projecting the Cowboys\u2019 53-man roster after the draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here is what the Cowboys 53-man roster could look like following the draft.<\/p>\n

\n

The 2025\u00a0NFL Draft\u00a0is over, and while the Cowboys still have a few roster spots to fill before they get to 90, they likely have most of their eventual 53-man roster in the building at this point. Which means it\u2019s the perfect time to take a guess at who makes the final roster, with several intriguing positional battles already shaping up.<\/p>\n

Quarterback (3)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Dak Prescott<\/strong>
\nWill Grier<\/strong>
\nJoe Milton<\/strong><\/p>\n

This position group can likely be locked in right now. Dak Prescott is obviously the starter, and he\u2019s very close with Will Grier, who once gave serious competition to Cooper Rush for the QB2 role before an injury sidelined him. Joe Milton is a guarantee too after just being traded for.<\/p>\n

Running back (4)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Miles Sanders<\/strong>
\nJaydon Blue<\/strong>
\nPhil Mafah<\/strong>
\nHunter Luepke<\/strong><\/p>\n

All eyes will be on this position battle from here on out. Jaydon Blue is probably the closest thing to a lock at running back, while Phil Mafah is probably less safe but likely would get the nod with a decent preseason. Hunter Luepke is safe so long as the Cowboys want a real fullback on the roster.<\/p>\n

So that makes for a decision between Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, and Deuce Vaughn. As of now, I\u2019ll guess Sanders wins out as the most all-around back, but it\u2019ll be a tight competition either way.<\/p>\n

Wide receiver (5)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

CeeDee Lamb<\/strong>
\nJalen Tolbert<\/strong>
\nJonathan Mingo<\/strong>
\nKaVontae Turpin<\/strong>
\nRyan Flournoy<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Don\u2019t be surprised if the Cowboys go light at wide receiver. Klayton Adams was part of a Cardinals offense that used a ton of 12 and 13 personnel, and Brian Schottenheimer wants to run the ball more in general. The Cowboys may not need that many receivers just based on their offensive approach.<\/p>\n

CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert both have established relationships with Prescott, while Stephen Jones talked up Jonathan Mingo after the draft. KaVontae Turpin is locked in as the return specialist, and should continue to have a role on offense. Ryan Flournoy will have to compete with Jalen Brooks and others for the final spot, but Flournoy\u2019s combination of speed and strength should give him the edge.<\/p>\n

Tight end (3)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jake Ferguson<\/strong>
\nLuke Schoonmaker<\/strong>
\nBrevyn Spann-Ford<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cowboys could go heavy here if Luepke isn\u2019t part of the fold, but if they run with just three tight ends it\u2019s pretty clear who it\u2019ll be at this stage. Jake Ferguson needs to bounce back in the final year of his rookie deal, while Luke Schoonmaker is hoping for a healthy offseason for the first time in his NFL career.<\/p>\n

Offensive line (10)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Tyler Guyton<\/strong>
\nTyler Smith<\/strong>
\nCooper Beebe<\/strong>
\nTyler Booker<\/strong>
\nTerence Steele<\/strong>
\nBrock Hoffman<\/strong>
\nAsim Richards<\/strong>
\nT.J. Bass<\/strong>
\nAjani Cornelius<\/strong>
\nSaahdiq Charles<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The starting five is probably locked up after investing such a premium draft pick in Tyler Booker. Brock Hoffman, Asim Richards, and T.J. Bass have all been reliable depth pieces thus far. Ajani Cornelius has enough athleticism to warrant a roster spot, while Saahdiq Charles – who won a starting job last year with the Titans before unexpectedly retiring – should be able to justify a spot of his own.<\/p>\n

Defensive tackles (5)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Osa Odighizuwa<\/strong>
\nMazi Smith<\/strong>
\nSolomon Thomas<\/strong>
\nJay Toia<\/strong>
\nTommy Akingbesote<\/strong><\/p>\n

We know that Osa Odighizuwa will command the attention in the all-important 3-technique role for Matt Eberflus, and Mazi Smith is a natural fit for the 1-technique. Solomon Thomas and Jay Toia can spell Odighizuwa and Smith, respectively, while Akingbesote has the flexibility to hold down either spot in a pinch.<\/p>\n

Defensive ends (5)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Micah Parsons<\/strong>
\nDante Fowler<\/strong>
\nDonovan Ezeiruaku<\/strong>
\nMarshawn Kneeland<\/strong>
\nPayton Turner<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an area where the Cowboys could go light depending on how everyone looks in preseason, but Matt Eberflus tends to prefer a deep edge rushing rotation. Micah Parsons is an obvious starter, while the trio of Dante Fowler, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and and Marshawn Kneeland should form a nice counterbalance. Payton Turner has the athleticism and pedigree to add quality depth, but might be the odd man out if Sam Williams doesn\u2019t have to start the year on the PUP list.<\/p>\n

Linebackers (5)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jack Sanborn<\/strong>
\nKenneth Murray<\/strong>
\nMarist Liufau<\/strong>
\nDamone Clark<\/strong>
\nShemar James<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The assumption here is that DeMarvion Overshown starts the season on the PUP list, therefore not counting for this exercise. Jack Sanborn is a likely starter, given his history with Matt Eberflus, while Kenneth Murray and Marist Liufau could rotate depending on the situation. Damone Clark may be in danger after getting lost in the shuffle last year, but both he and Shemar James offer special teams value.<\/p>\n

Cornerbacks (5)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

DaRon Bland<\/strong>
\nKaiir Elam<\/strong>
\nShavon Revel Jr.<\/strong>
\nCaelen Carson<\/strong>
\nIsrael Mukuamu<\/strong><\/p>\n

Similar to Overshown, we\u2019re assuming Trevon Diggs starts the year on the PUP list. In that scenario, we\u2019re probably looking at DaRon Bland and Kaiir Elam as the starters in base, with Shavon Revel Jr. playing outside and Bland sliding into the slot in nickel packages.<\/p>\n

However, don\u2019t count out Caelen Carson, who looked great in preseason last year and projects as a more natural fit in the new zone-heavy scheme. Israel Mukuamu, while technically listed as a safety, has shown legitimate ability as a slot defender in the past and could emerge as the nickel corner to keep Bland out wide.<\/p>\n

Safeties (4)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Malik Hooker<\/strong>
\nDonovan Wilson<\/strong>
\nJuanyeh Thomas<\/strong>
\nMarkquese Bell<\/strong><\/p>\n

This room is largely set. Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson were inconsistent last year, but fit better in the new scheme. Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell are both valuable backups who could – and have – start in a pinch.<\/p>\n

Special teams (4)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Brandon Aubrey<\/strong>
\nBryan Anger<\/strong>
\nTrent Sieg<\/strong>
\nC.J. Goodwin<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be a shock if any of these four aren\u2019t on the team by kickoff in Week 1. C.J. Goodwin is probably the most in danger, especially with a new special teams coordinator, but Goodwin has been such a reliable special teams ace that the Cowboys are likely to keep him around until his play falls off.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here is what the Cowboys 53-man roster could look like following the draft. The 2025\u00a0NFL Draft\u00a0is over, and while the Cowboys still have a few roster spots… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\nProjecting the Cowboys\u2019 53-man roster after the draft - 24\/7 News America<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=45085\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Projecting the Cowboys\u2019 53-man roster after the draft - 24\/7 News America\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here is what the Cowboys 53-man roster could look like following the draft. 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