Here is a potential look at the Dallas Cowboys depth chart following the NFL Draft.
With nine players coming from their 2025 draft picks, and more on the way through undrafted free agent signings, the Cowboys have a lot of new names on their roster. While we still need training camp and the reason to make it all official, let’s project how these rookies will slot into the depth chart.
Most teams give a lot of deference to veterans in their early post-draft depth charts. Rookies have to earn their way up, and many do by the time you get to final cuts or even the preseason. Of course, early picks may get slotted immediately as starters based on the circumstances.
For this depth chart, we’re focusing more on how we think things will shake out by the end of summer. So while a veteran like RB Miles Sanders may get the initial nod over rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, that probably won’t last by September or even by the end of training camp.
This isn’t a roster projection; way more than 53 names on these lists. But in terms of where we think all of these new faces will eventually work their way onto the depth charts for their positions, here’s one guess.
Offense
Note: we have 12 starters because we placed FB Hunter Luepke on his own line. His position on the roster is discussed below.
QB – With no drafted quarterbacks or UDFAs yet, Dallas has who they had before the weekend. The big question this summer is who winds up as QB2 between Will Grier and Joe Milton. Many would assume it’s Milton as the younger guy with more upside, but Grier has a significant experience edge over him. How they take to the offensive changes under Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams will go a long way to deciding the order.
RB – The Cowboys waited until Day 3 to finally add a running back, and then they added two with Blue and Mafah. While Mafah was only a seventh-round pick, his power style is exactly what they’ll need to complement Blue and Williams in the rotation. They should be the assumed top three going forward, with the rest merely camp bodies and insurance at this point. That may seem like a lot of faith in a couple of later-picked rookies, but that’s how deep this RB class was touted to be.
FB – Hunter Luepke’s only challenge now is whether or not Dallas decides to keep a true fullback on the roster. He could lose out if some of the tight ends are effective enough blockers out of the backfield, especially now that Mafah projects to get more of the short-yardage and goal-line carries. If Luepke is going to make it, he has to stand out as the lead blocker and on special teams.
WR – We still expect a trade or free agency move to address WR2 before training camp. But for now, Dallas’ lack of activity at receiver creates a major competition between Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo for the other starting spot. At best, undrafted rookies Traeshon Holden and Josh Kelly may become the new developmental guys on the practice squad, but it would be surprising to see them move up further.
TE – Dallas was pretty high on Brevyn Spann-Ford and Princeton Fant coming out of last year, and John Stephens remains an enigma who just needs to stay healthy. Like at WR, the undrafted rookies here have an uphill battle to crack a group that already has young prospects filling up the depth chart.
OL – Tyler Booker walks in as your new starting right guard as a first-rounder. The battle for backup spots will be very interesting with some new, but experienced veterans like Robert Jones and Saahdiq Charles in the mix. While sixth-round pick Ajani Cornelius projects as a guard in the NFL, he was a college tackle and is currently listed as an OT on the Cowboys’ official roster. It’s certainly where they need the depth more.
Defense
Note: we have 12 starters because we added nickel corner as a starter along with three linebackers.
DE – While second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku should get an immediate role in the pass-rushing rotation, Marshawn Kneeland is the frontrunner to replace DeMarcus Lawrence in the starting lineup. He’s more of an all-around EDGE, and veteran Dante Fowler should get plenty of work in various roles as well. Thankfully, Dallas won’t be leaning heavily on Sam Williams or Payton Turner unless someone gets hurt.
DT – It’s still Mazi Smith’s job to lose coming out of the draft. The third-year, former first-round pick didn’t get an immediate threat to his spot, but rookie Jay Toia should push for work as a true nose tackle in certain packages. While Solomon Thomas likely rounds out the core four, there’s plenty of room for prospects like Justin Rogers and Denzel Daxon to push their way into the conversation.
LB – We know DeMarvion Overshown won’t start Week 1, or perhaps even at all in 2025, as he recovers from injury. Still, we can hope. Veteran additions Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn will have a tough fight with Marist Liufau for primary reps, and rookie Shemar James may be better suited for nickel work than any of them. Don’t count out Damone Clark either, who has a lot of experience and could find new life with a new defensive regime.
CB – With Trevon Diggs probably starting the year on PUP, Dallas added a potential starter in Shavon Revel Jr. While also coming off a knee injury, he’s expected to be ready for Week 1 and perhaps even camp. He’ll likely be one of the top three along with DaRon Bland, leaving Caelen Carson and Kaiir Elam to battle for the other spot. Don’t sleep on Israel Mukuamu as a corner option, either.
S – Not much mystery here with your veteran starters returning and experienced backups in Thomas, Bell, and Mukuamu. If anything changes, it could be Thomas pushing his way onto the first-team defense over Wilson, depending on how they adapt to Matt Eberflus’ scheme.
