Cowboys’ 53-man roster prediction after 1st week of training camp includes 11 rookies
The rookies squared off against each other and then the veterans got their turn to join in. Members of the 2021 draft class and the UDFA haul learned where they will play positionally and then saw the uphill battle for playing time that lies ahead with where they sit on the early depth chart. As OTAs and veteran minicamp came and went in June, intel was gleaned but no definitive statements have been made.
The Dallas Cowboys still have a lot of work to do beyond just being more healthy than their 6-10, 2020 version. But now? After a week of glorified walk throughs in the cool breezes of California, it’s time. Mike McCarthy’s troops will begin earnest preparations starting Tuesday, so it’s only right there is one final projection of who will be with the team in September and in what pecking order.
The youth movement is definitely underway. 11 rookies make the club out the box along with another four making the 16-man practice squad. Were the real roster cutdowns come close to resembling this, and then the Cowboys have a successful season, it would be a great sign towards the development of a consistent threat in the NFC.
This season, the NFL returns to having three different roster cuts.
The first set of cuts, which will involve a reduction of five players (putting the roster at 85), will take place on Aug. 17, four days after the Cowboys play their second preseason game against the Cardinals before returning to Dallas.
Then there will be another reduction by five (moving the roster to 80 players) on Aug. 24, three days after the club hosts the Houston Texans. Finally on Aug. 31, two days after the Cowboys’ final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the roster is trimmed from 80 to 53 players.
After teams get down to 53 players and those released clear waivers, teams can begin to build their practice squads. Previously the limit was 10, but last year it was expanded to 12 before the Covid-19 changes to the CBA that pushed the total up to 16 slots. That returns for the 2021 roster with teams being able to block 4 players a week from being poached by other teams.
Quarterback (2)
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
QB1: Dak Prescott QB2: Ben DiNucci Practice Squad: Garrett Gilbert
Running Back (3)
Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
RB1: Ezekiel Elliott RB2: Tony Pollard RB3: Rico Dowdle Practice Squad: Nick Ralston (R), Sewo Olonilua
Wide Receiver (7)
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
WR1: CeeDee Lamb WR2: Amari Cooper WR3: Michael Gallup WR4: Cedrick Wilson WR5: Noah Brown WR6: Simi Fehoko (R) WR7: Malik Turner Practice Squad: Aaron Parker, Brandon Smith (R)
Tight Ends (3)
(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
TE1: Dalton Schultz TE2: Blake Jarwin TE3: Jeremy Sprinkle Practice Squad: Sean McKeon
Offensive Tackles (5)
(AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker)
LT1: Tyron Smith RT1: La'el Collins OT3: Ty Nsekhe OT4: Terence Steele OT5: Josh Ball (R) Practice Squad: Mitch Hyatt, Isaac Alarcon (Int'l Pathway)
Interior Offensive Linemen (4)
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
RG1: Zack Martin LG1: Connor Williams C1: Tyler Biadasz OG3: Connor McGovern Practice Squad: Brandon Knight, Matt Farniok (R)
Edge Rushers (4)
(AP Photo/LM Otero)
LE1: DeMarcus Lawrence RE1: Randy Gregory LE2: Chauncey Golston (R) RE2: Tarell Basham Practice Squad: Bradlee Anae
Interior Defensive Linemen (5)
(AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
DT1: Brent Urban DT2: Neville Gallimore DT3: Osa Odighizuwa (R) DT4: Quinton Bohanna (R) DT5: Trysten Hill Practice Squad: Ron'Dell Carter
Linebacker (6)
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
LB1: Micah Parsons (R) LB2: Leighton Vander Esch LB3: Jaylon Smith LB4: Keanu Neal LB5: Jabril Cox (R) LB6: Anthony Hines (R) Practice Squad: Luke Gifford, Francis Bernard
Cornerback (6)
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
RCB1: Trevon Diggs LCB1: Kelvin Joseph (R) SCB1: Jourdan Lewis RCB2: Nahshon Wright (R) RCB3: Maurice Canady STDB: C.J. Goodwin Practice Squad: Reggie Robinson, Deante Burton
Safety (5)
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
FS1: Malik Hooker SS1: Donovan Wilson FS2: Damontae Kazee FS3: Israel Mukuamu (R) SS2: Jayron Kearse Practice Squad: Tyler Coyle (R)
Practice Squad (16*)
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
QB Garrett Gilbert RB Nick Raltson (R) RB Sewo Olonilua WR Aaron Parker WR Brandon Smith (R) TE Sean McKeon OL Mitch Hyatt OL Matt Farniok (R) OL Brandon Knight OL Isaac Alarcon (Int'l Pathway - doesn't count against limit) DE Bradlee Anae DT Ron'Dell Carter LB Luke Gifford LB Francis Bernard CB Reggie Robinson CB Deante Burton S Tyler Coyle (R)
Cuts/Waivers/Trade Outs (22)
(AP Photo/LM Otero)
Carlos Watkins Austin Faoliu (R) Justin Hamilton Dorance Armstrong Azur Kamara Kyron Brown Anthony Brown Darian Thompson Steven Parker Cooper Rush Jacquan Hardy (R) Brenden Knox (R) Brennan Eagles (R) Stephen Guidry (R) Johnnie Dixon TJ Vasher (R) Osirus Mitchell (R) Nick Eubanks (R) Artayvious Lynn (R) Eric Smith Braylon Jones (R) Hunter Niswander
1
1
