Predicting Dallas Cowboys 53-Man Roster Entering July

Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility. Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Predicting Dallas Cowboys 53-Man Roster Entering July

Originally posted on Dallas Cowboys on SI
By Randy Gurzi | Last updated Jun 28, 2026 12:00 PM ET

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Training camp dates have been set for the Dallas Cowboys, with the team heading to Oxnard in late July. Their arrival date for rookies and veterans is July 28 and the first practice is on July 29.

The preseason will begin on August 15, with their final game being August 28 against the New Orleans Saints. The roster will need to be trimmed quickly after that, with the deadline for the 53-man roster being August 30 at 6:00 pm EST.

Dallas will have some tough decisions to make with their depth chart and here's a look at how their initial 53-man roster could look when they head into Week 1 against the New York Giants.

Quarterback (3):

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Dak Prescott
Sam Howell
Joe Milton

Running Back (4):

Javonte Williams
Jaydon Blue
Phil Mafah
Hunter Luepke

Notable Cuts: Malik Davis

Wide Receiver (5):

CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
Ryan Flournoy
KaVontae Turpin
Anthony Smith

Notable Cuts: Jonathan Mingo, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Tight End (3):

Jake Ferguson
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Michael Trigg

Notable Cuts: Luke Schoonmaker

Offensive Line (9):

Tyler Guyton
Tyler Smith
Cooper Beebe
Tyler Booker
Terence Steele
Drew Shelton
Nate Thomas
T.J. Bass
Nick Leverett

Offensive Summary

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The Cowboys go with three quarterbacks here, but it's possible they stick with just two. At this point, it's hard to predict which backup will secure the No. 2 spot, but there's reason to believe in Sam Howell, who isn't as exciting as Joe Milton, but could be more consistent.

At running back, Phil Mafah edges out Malik Davis, but the Cowboys would be thrilled to keep Davis on the practice squad for depth. One of the tougher cuts on offense will be at wide receiver, where minicamp star Marquez Valdes-Scantling is left off the roster. He has been solid in offensive sets, but his lack of special teams experience is his undoing.

Defensive Line (6):

Quinnen Williams
Kenny Clark
Otito Ogbonnia
Jonathan Bullard
LT Overton
Jay Toia

EDGE (6):

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Rashan Gary
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Malachi Lawrence
James Houston
Sam Williams
Charles Snowden

Notable Cuts: Marist Liufau

Inside Linebacker (4):

Dee Winters
DeMarvion Overshown
Jaishawn Barham
Shemar James

Notable Cuts: Justin Barron

Cornerback (5):

DaRon Bland
Shavon Revel Jr.
Cobie Durant
Devin Moore
Caelen Carson

Notable Cuts: Reddy Steward, Zion Childress

Safety (5):

Caleb Downs
Jalen Thompson
Malik Hooker
P.J. Locke
Markquese Bell

Notable Cuts: Alijah Clark

Specialists (3):

Brandon Aubrey, K
Bryan Anger, P
Trent Sieg, LS

Defensive Summary

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Marist Liufau is someone who is on the wrong side of the roster bubble, which feels unfortunate. The 2024 third-round pick is a hard-hitter but is being moved from linebacker to EDGE, which doesn't help his chances. That's why he's pushed off the roster by veteran addition Charles Snowden.

At linebacker, they go thin with only four. That leaves 2025 undrafted free agent Justin Barron without a spot on the roster. There are also some tough cuts in the secondary, including 2025 camp stars Zion Childress and Alijah Clark.

All those notable cuts, as well as cornerback Reddy Steward, would be excellent additions to the practice squad.

This article first appeared on Dallas Cowboys on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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