INGLEWOOD, Calif. — True to his compete every day mantra, Brian Schottenheimer said there are going to be some changes to the depth chart after Saturday’s 31-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He specifically pointed to undrafted free agent wide receiver Traeshon Holden, the team’s leading receiver on Saturday, as someone who could be moving up.
“He shows up every day,” Schottenheimer said. “He really does. Every day, he makes a play.”
But will that be enough to make a play for the roster?
Spoiler alert: it’ll be tough for him. As for others, let’s dive into our second 53-man roster projection over here at The Dallas Morning News.
Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton (10) throws deep to a receiver during the first half of a NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, California, August 9, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
Quarterbacks (2)
Players: Dak Prescott, Joe Milton
Nothing has changed in this projection here, but the door has been opened to the Cowboys possibly keeping three quarterbacks. It seemed like Dallas was willing to give Milton the entire game against the Rams before he left in the fourth quarter with an elbow injury. Will Grier came in and played well, just as he did in the joint practice with the Rams when Milton left with a hand injury.
So far, the Cowboys have seemingly only given Grier snaps when Milton is unavailable.
If the Cowboys can trust Milton, then they might go with two quarterbacks — especially with needs elsewhere. If they can’t, then they may be forced to keep three quarterbacks.
Running backs (4)
Players: Javonte Williams, Hunter Luepke, Jaydon Blue, Miles Sanders
Like other positions, the Cowboys’ running back room is difficult to predict at the moment because of injuries. Jaydon Blue is dealing with an ankle injury. Miles Sanders has been dealing with a knee injury. Could that open the door for someone else? Rookie Phil Mafah made a good impression in the preseason game. So did Malik Davis, whom the Cowboys re-signed just 24 hours before Saturday’s preseason opener. Deuce Vaughn has had some nice moments, too, and history would tell us that could continue in the preseason.
Could one of them break through?
Related:Cowboys RB Malik Davis finally got his chance vs. Rams, and took advantage
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden (7) goes high in the end zone to catch a touchdown pass against cornerback DaRon Bland (26) during a training camp practice in Oxnard, California, July 30, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
Wide receivers (5)
Players: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Tolbert
Here’s the first big surprise. In this projection, the Cowboys decide to go light at wide receiver. There are some reasons for it. I think Lamb and Pickens are going to play a lot (shocker). I think Turpin has taken a step as a receiver and could command more targets. I also think other positions need more ammunition in terms of personnel.
Mingo and Tolbert, because of their previous investment, should have the higher ground against others.
One other note: Tolbert hasn’t had the best offseason — especially with the upward trajectory he seemed to be on after last season. I wonder if the Cowboys could look to move him for draft capital or for a defensive tackle or corner.
Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy and Traeshon Holden are other receivers who could compete for a spot — especially if the Cowboys decide to keep six.
Tight ends (3)
Players: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford
The Cowboys seemed to evade an injury scare with Ferguson, who was hit hard in the back earlier this week and left practice. That’s good news, because considering how things have looked, they’re going to need a lot of Ferguson. Spann-Ford had a nice offseason but hasn’t returned since he hurt his ankle early in camp. Will he be ready to start the season? The Cowboys are still waiting for another step forward from Schoonmaker.
Could someone else push for a spot? Notably, John Stephens Jr. didn’t play in the preseason game on Saturday. Neither did Princeton Fant. Undrafted free agent Rivaldo Fairweather had a second-half touchdown catch.
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Terence Steele (78), offensive tackle Tyler Smith (73) and guard Tyler Booker (52) didn’t dress for a NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, California, August 9, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
Offensive line (9)
Players: Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, Nate Thomas, Brock Hoffman, Asim Richards, T.J. Bass
I expect Tyler Guyton to be healthy enough to where he doesn’t need to be put on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list to start the season. If he does, however, that could open the door for another offensive lineman to make the team.
Of note: Asim Richards didn’t have his best performance on Saturday. He had back-to-back penalties for not lining up correctly on the line of scrimmage, as well. He’ll need to rein in those mental mistakes if he wants to make the team for the third year in a row.
Defensive line (11)
Players: Micah Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas, Mazi Smith, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, Dante Fowler, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Payton Turner, Jay Toia, Perrion Winfrey
I think this is one position the Cowboys could go heavy on. Why? Because one way to counteract less talent is to have more players in a rotation. The Cowboys have preached that they want relentless effort from their defensive front. They’ve said that they want a rotation. So, the more the merrier?
Of course, the Parsons trade request lingers here. Will they have a resolution on that by the time the season starts?
One other note: James Houston continues to play well. He has an uphill battle for a roster spot, but his performance thus far has been notable.
Related:Five takeaways from Cowboys-Rams: Backup QB Joe Milton remains a work in progress
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar Jones (50) reaches for a blind pass as he runs around a blocking dummy during a training camp practice in Oxnard, California, August 8, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
Linebackers (5)
Players: Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, Marist Liufau, Shemar James, Damone Clark
Full disclosure: Player No. 54 on my projection was linebacker Buddy Johnson. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes the team again.
I think Damone Clark has played well this offseason. Shemar James has looked good, too. Somewhat surprisingly, the depth at linebacker might be a strong suit for these Cowboys.
Cornerbacks (7)
Players: DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam, Israel Mukuamu, Andrew Booth, Kemon Hall, C.J. Goodwin, Zion Childress
This is a mess for the Cowboys. They could have four players start the season with injury designations: Trevon Diggs, Shavon Revel Jr., Caelen Carson and Josh Butler. In the meantime, the Cowboys will need other players to step in. The problem: they’ve had inconsistent offseasons thus far. Childress is one name to watch. He’s been playing well and rising up the depth chart. He’s battling with Kemon Hall — and Bland — as a nickel corner option.
C.J. Goodwin remains a special teams asset for the Cowboys. The question also remains: can they afford that luxury?
Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas (2) turns and heads up field after intercepting a pass during training camp practice in Oxnard, California, July 26, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
Safeties (4)
Players: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas
This quartet will be hard to break up. And with needs elsewhere, it’s hard to envision another roster spot devoted to safety.
Specialists (3)
Players: Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
Lather, rinse, repeat.
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