The Dallas Cowboys are now through two preseason games, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has limited time to figure out before cutting down to 53 players. On Monday, he hinted at some surprises being in the works, with guys making the roster that aren\u2019t currently being projected by the media to do so, and vice versa.<\/p>\n
Well, Coach, challenge accepted. Here\u2019s another attempt at predicting the Cowboys\u2019 53-man roster after the team\u2019s uninspiring loss to the Ravens on Saturday. We\u2019ve added in some surprises as Schotty suggested.<\/p>\n
Dak Prescott Schottenheimer said that Joe Milton will start the final preseason game, elaborating that the coaching staff is still trying to evaluate him while knowing what they have in Will Grier. That makes it sound like Grier will be relied on as the QB2, with Milton still needing to show he has the makings of an NFL caliber quarterback someday.<\/p>\n Of course, it\u2019s a moot point, for now, with Dak Prescott the obvious starter anyway.<\/p>\n Javonte Williams Here\u2019s where one surprise may pop up. Not only could the Cowboys opt to go heavy at running back, but they\u2019ll keep Deuce Vaughn over seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah, who probably ends up on the practice squad. Mafah has been solid in the preseason, but Vaughn offers a unique skillset that Schottenheimer is sure to value. He can also contribute on special teams, something that often makes these decisions.<\/p>\n Elsewhere at the position, Javonte Williams is the only running back to be a healthy scratch through two preseason games, which hints at his standing in this room. Miles Sanders could be in danger if Jaydon Blue goes off against the Falcons on Friday, especially after a middling performance against the Ravens, but for now he\u2019s likely safe.<\/p>\n CeeDee Lamb The top four are all locks, unless the Cowboys are suddenly able to trade Jalen Tolbert for something really valuable. But Prescott has great chemistry with Tolbert, making a trade unlikely. Instead, he\u2019ll alternate with KaVontae Turpin as the third receiver in this offense.<\/p>\n After those four, though, it\u2019ll only be undrafted rookie Traeshon Holden. This is partially due to Jonathan Mingo likely being put on the short term injured reserve, with a 4-6 week timeline to recover<\/a> from his injury, but also a reflection of how much more this team is going to use multiple tight end sets. Neither Turpin or Tolbert will be playing 70% or more of offensive snaps, so the need for depth behind them isn\u2019t as great.<\/p>\n Jake Ferguson Speaking of those tight ends, here\u2019s another surprise: Luke Schoonmaker isn\u2019t going to be on the roster. Whether it\u2019s because of a trade or being outright released, Schoonmaker hasn\u2019t done enough this preseason to show he fits what Schottenheimer is looking for. Jake Ferguson clearly has, and Brevyn Spann-Ford was getting first team reps over Schoonmaker before his injury.<\/p>\n So who takes Schoonmaker\u2019s place? Tyler Neville hasn\u2019t been given an overwhelming amount of run thus far, but he\u2019s loved in the locker room. His own life story demonstrates the kind of grit and perseverance<\/a> that Schottenheimer wants to instill in this team, so giving him a (well-earned) roster spot makes a lot of sense. Plus, Hunter Luepke will realistically be the third tight end anyway, giving the Cowboys the chance to bring Neville along slower than if he were being asked to play on offense right away.<\/p>\n Tyler Guyton The starting five is set, so long as Tyler Guyton – who Schottenheimer said on Monday is coming along well – is healthy enough to suit up and avoid the short term injured reserve. After that, it\u2019s really a question of depth, and who can play where.<\/p>\n Nate Thomas has earned plenty of praise already this offseason, and Brock Hoffman is practically the human embodiment of Schottenheimer\u2019s desired culture. Meanwhile, La\u2019el Collins and T.J. Bass both offer broad positional versatility, with Collins specifically adding a veteran voice in the locker room that\u2019s needed after Zack Martin\u2019s retirement.<\/p>\n Micah Parsons Assuming Micah Parsons does, indeed, play this season, he\u2019s an obvious one here. Dante Fowler, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Sam Williams, and Marshawn Kneeland also seem logical, given their respective journeys with the team to this point.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s James Houston. The Cowboys don\u2019t really need this many edge rushers, especially if Parsons is playing, but Houston has done nothing but make plays since joining the team<\/a>. It\u2019s hard for a coaching staff that\u2019s trying to establish a culture to not make room for a guy who\u2019s done everything asked of him.<\/p>\n Osa Odighizuwa Here\u2019s another surprise: Mazi Smith isn\u2019t on the roster. He\u2019s looked bad in both preseason games, and practices haven\u2019t been much different. It\u2019s hard to blame him after yet another summer of mandated weight change, but Smith simply isn\u2019t good enough to start for the Cowboys.<\/p>\n Taking his place is the duo of Perrion Winfrey and Earnest Brown IV, both of whom have done what Smith needed to do this preseason. Neither of them have been dominant, but together (along with promising but inconsistent rookie Jay Toia) they offer a reliable run-stopping presence alongside Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas.<\/p>\n Jack Sanborn Jack Sanborn made his Cowboys debut Saturday night and looked the part. He\u2019ll be a productive field general for Matt Eberflus, while Marist Liufau offers a thumper mentality to pair with Kenneth Murray\u2019s rangy athleticism. Rookie Shemar James has showcased physicality, too, and offers special teams upside.<\/p>\n Would Eberflus, a linebacker coach by trade, really go this light at the position though? It would be a bit of a surprise, but it may also hint at the team\u2019s optimism about DeMarvion Overshown\u2019s timetable. That, and a general lack of needed development from Damone Clark, could lead to a four-man position room for now.<\/p>\n
Will Grier
Joe Milton<\/strong><\/p>\n
Miles Sanders
Jaydon Blue
Deuce Vaughn
Hunter Luepke<\/strong><\/p>\n
George Pickens
KaVontae Turpin
Jalen Tolbert
Traeshon Holden<\/strong><\/p>\n
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Tyler Neville<\/strong><\/p>\n
Tyler Smith
Cooper Beebe
Tyler Booker
Terence Steele
Nate Thomas
T.J. Bass
Brock Hoffman
La\u2019el Collins<\/strong><\/p>\n
Dante Fowler<\/strong>
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Sam Williams
Marshawn Kneeland
James Houston<\/strong><\/p>\n
Solomon Thomas
Perrion Winfrey
Jay Toia
Earnest Brown IV<\/strong><\/p>\n
Kenneth Murray
Marist Liufau
Shemar James<\/strong><\/p>\n