9 Takeaways From Cowboys’ Initial 53-Man Roster

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys set their initial 53-man roster on Sunday with 24 players on offense, 26 on defense, and 3 specialists. Nine takeaways from the team’s roster sheet follow.

Dallas Kept Three Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott, Joe Milton III, and Sam Howell are all on the roster. Prescott is entering his 11th NFL season. Milton arrived in a 2025 trade with the New England Patriots and is in his third season. Howell signed as an unrestricted free agent from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason and is in his fifth.

The Undrafted Receiver Beat The Draft Pick

Dallas kept 6 receivers and Camden Brown is one of them. Brown signed after the 2026 draft as one of 11 undrafted free agents. Seventh-round pick Anthony Smith was waived Sunday. Brown is the only member of this year’s undrafted class on the roster.

Six receivers came off the roster in all. Jordan Hudson, Anthony Smith, and Jaden Smith were waived. Tyler Johnson, Denzel Mims, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were released.

Two Running Backs And A Fullback

Malik Davis and Javonte Williams are the only true running backs on the 53, with Hunter Luepke listed at fullback. Williams rushed 252 times for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and caught 35 passes for 137 yards and 2 scores. Dallas waived four backs Sunday, including Israel Abanikanda and Jaydon Blue.

Nine Offensive Linemen After Two Trades In Two Days

Dallas kept Broderick Jones, acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, then traded Nathan Thomas to the Houston Texans a day later. The other eight are Tyler Booker, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Guyton, Ajani Cornelius, T.J. Bass, Drew Shelton, Tyler Smith, and Terence Steele. Shelton, the 112th pick in April, is the only rookie in the group. Center Nick Leverett was released, and guards Trevor Keegan, Chris Glaser, and DJ Wingfield and tackles Marcellus Johnson, Shiyazh Pete, and Sebastian Gutierrez were waived.

The Defensive Line Room Holds Five

Otito Ogbonnia, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Jonathan Bullard, and LT Overton are the five. Clark is in his 11th season and Bullard his 11th. Overton, a fourth-round pick in April, is 21. Dallas waived four defensive tackles Sunday: Jay Toia, Tommy Dunn, Dayo Odeleye, and DJ Withers. Waiver claims across the league are due at noon CT Monday.

Five Cornerbacks, With Devin Moore On Injured Reserve

Cobie Durant, Caelen Carson, DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, and Ameer Speed are on the 53. Fourth-round rookie Devin Moore went on Reserve/Injured-Designated for Return. Derion Kendrick was released, and Trikweze Bridges, Josh Butler, and Reddy Steward were waived. Dallas kept 6 safeties.

Twelve Players Added This Offseason Are On The Roster

Howell, Ogbonnia, Bullard, Durant, P.J. Locke, and Jalen Thompson came as unrestricted free agents. Von Miller and Speed signed as free agents. Tyrus Wheat came from Detroit as a restricted free agent. Dallas traded for Rashan Gary, Dee Winters, and Jones.

Twenty-six of the 53 play defense.

Six Rookies Made It

Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, Shelton, Overton, and Brown. Downs and Overton are both 21, the youngest players on the roster. Miller, 37, is the oldest, and he is in his 16th season. Punter Bryan Anger is also 37 and in his 15th. Three picks from the 2025 draft class were waived Sunday.

Liufau And Moore Were Preserved On The Reserve List

Outside linebacker Marist Liufau and Moore went on Reserve/Injured-Designated for Return. Liufau broke his forearm against the New Orleans Saints on Friday. Moore was the 114th pick in April. Tight end DJ Rogers was waived/injured, and Dallas kept 3 tight ends.

Dallas opens the regular season Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants.