Here are our 38 locks for the Cowboys 53-man roster
As Week 2 of the Dallas Cowboys 2023 training camp reaches the back end, it’s time to once again take stock in what observers do and don’t know about the coming version of a regular season roster. It’s clear the Cowboys have one of the most talented top-end rosters in the league. The star power on display in Oxnard is obvious. The team swapped out Ezkiel Elliott and Dalton Schultz in exchange for Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore and didn’t lose any of their other key components from their back-to-back 12 win seasons.
But is the team deep enough? That’s a matter of opinion. In evaluating the 90-man offseason roster, it’s clear (to this writer, at least) that the team has about 70% of its initial 53 already decided. Between talent, upside and to a lesser degree expense, there are a clear 38 players who are going to make it, leaving 52 players battling it out for the final 15 roster spots and 16 practice squad opportunities. Here’s a look at the first batch; those who will certainly be active come Week 1, barring injury.
QB Dak Prescott
Aug 1, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) scrambles during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
RB Tony Pollard
Jul 26, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) answers questions during a news conference following practice at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, CA. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
RB Deuce Vaughn
Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn (42) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
TE Jake Ferguson
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 24: Jake Ferguson #87 of the Dallas Cowboys jumps over Jason Pinnock #27 of the New York Giants during the second half at AT&T Stadium on November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
TE Luke Schoonmaker
Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
TE Peyton Hendershot
Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Peyton Hendershot (89) wears a Guardian helmet cap during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
WR CeeDee Lamb
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
WR Brandin Cooks
Aug 1, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (3) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
WR Michael Gallup
Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
WR Jalen Tolbert
Aug 1, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (18) runs during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
WR/KR Kavontae Turpin
Dec 18, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys widere ceiver KaVontae Turpin (9) returns the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
OT Tyron Smith
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (77) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
OG Tyler Smith
Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Smith (73) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Center Tyler Biadasz
Jul 26, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) takes a snap from center Tyler Biadasz (63) during training camp drills at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, CA. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
RG Zack Martin
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: Zack Martin #70 of the Dallas Cowboys leaves the field after a win against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
RT Terence Steele
Dec 26, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Terence Steele (78) celebrates scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
IOL Matt Farniok
Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Matt Farniok (68) during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Edge Micah Parsons
Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Edge DeMarcus Lawrence
Jul 26, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) reaches around linebacker coach Scott McCurley during training camp drills at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, CA. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Edge Dorance Armstrong
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong holds seven-month old daughter Serenity Armstrong during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Edge Sam Williams
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Edge Dante Fowler
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dante Fowler (56) wears a Guardian helmet cap during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NT Mazi Smith
Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith (58) wears a Guardian helmet cap during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
DT Osa Odighizuwa
Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
LB Leighton Vander Esch
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (55) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
LB Damone Clark
Jul 26, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark (33) walks onto the field for the first day of training camp drills at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, CA. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
LB DeMarvion Overshown
Aug 1, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (35) runs during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
LB Jabril Cox
Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jabril Cox (14) wears a Guardian helmet cap during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
CB Trevon Diggs
Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
CB Stephon Gilmore
Jul 26, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) answers questions during a news conference following practice at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, CA. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
CB DaRon Bland
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
CB Eric Scott, Jr.
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Eric Scott (37) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
DB Israel Mukuamu
Jul 27, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Israel Mukuamu (24) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Safety Donovan Wilson
Dec 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) reacts after a fourth down play during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Safety Malik Hooker
Aug 1, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Safety Jayron Kearse
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse (27) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Punter Bryan Anger
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel (right) and punter Bryan Anger (5) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Long Snapper Trent Sieg
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys long snapper Trent Sieg (43) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
