5 biggest surprises from the latest Cowboys 53-man roster projection, including a 2025 draft pick being cut in favor of veteran

Ahead of the Dallas Cowboys' start of mandatory minicamp, I put together a full 53-man roster projection. I will probably have one next week. I won't apologize for this sickness. What else am I supposed to do in June as a football obsessed writer? 

Below are the five biggest surprises from that projection, my second of the year. Minicamp is sure to provide us with some more insights from coaches, players, and insiders but for now, we have what we learned at OTAs.

Let's dive in.

1. Miles Sanders makes the cut, drafted rookie cut

When the Cowboys signed Sanders, he pretty much seemed to be this year's version of Royce Freeman and Ronald Jones in previous seasons. The Cowboys' front office cut both veterans the last couple of years and Sanders somewhat fit the mold.

Well, not if you ask Brian Schottenheimer, who recently praised Sanders and as such, he had to be on my pre-minicamp roster projection. If he's in, it would likely cost seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah his spot on the team. 

2. LB Damone Clark survives

Clark's stock with the Cowboys has been on a roller coaster the last couple of years. He started 17 games in 2023 before being benched by defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who only played Clark when the injury bug hit the linebacker room hard. 

Well, with Overshown likely starting the season on Injured Reserve, you can expect Clark to be on the 53-man roster. But here's the thing: Even when Overshown returns, I'm not sure Clark is the odd man out.

Schottenheimer said at OTAs Clark's relationship with new Cowboys LB coach is "incredible." 

3. Only two Cowboys quarterbacks on the 53-man roster

Recently, the Cowboys have carried three quarterbacks on their roster. It made sense. That way, they could focus on developing Trey Lance while keeping the gameday-ready albeit limited Cooper Rush.

Now, it's Joe Milton and Will Grier and while the latter is an NFL veteran, the system knowledge isn't there to justify a three-QB roster. Milton is the favorite to back up Dak Prescott and they're the only signal callers on my projection. 

4. Tough cuts: Two new faces at OL, and one promising player

Offensive line is going to be a bloodbath in August. I've got the Cowboys cutting T.J. Bass despite him looking like one of the most promising backups on the team for multiple years now. Simply put, it's a numbers game for me. The Cowboys signed three free agents that could play guard if asked to and Dallas drafted two more in April, including first-rounder Tyler Booker. 

Additionally, Brock Hoffman is likely to be a backup unless Cooper Beebe moves to guard. This is all to say, I see the staff shaking up the OL. 

In my projection, free agent signings Rob Jones and Hakeem Adeniji were also cut. 

5. Parris Campbell released 

This might not surprise everyone but considering he's a former second-round pick and a veteran with upside, many expect Campbell to be one of the 53 Cowboys in September. I view him more as insurance policy the Cowboys got in case they couldn't get someone of the stature of George Pickens.

Now, I'm not sure how he fits with the team.