There are only a few starting spots available on the Cowboys roster next season.
Good or bad, Brian Schottenheimer inherits a Dallas Cowboys roster that has few starting jobs up for grabs heading into the 2025 NFL season. On one hand, that’s good news in that he’s inheriting a team potentially ready to compete right away. On the other hand, he’s also inheriting a team that may not fit what he envisions for this organization.
Whatever the case, Schottenheimer and the coaching staff he has put together still have a job ahead of them of putting the best possible team on the field in all three phases the game in 2025. They’ve added some potential plug-and-play starter’s via free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft, which should only help their jobs be that much easier.
Today, let’s look at the starting jobs we believe could be up for grabs with the Cowboys prior to the start of the 2025 NFL season. And as things stand right now, we believe the only new addition this offseason who is probably a surefire starter is Dallas’ first-round pick Tyler Booker, who will replace Zack Martin at right guard.
Running Back
With the offseason additions of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders via free agency and Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah through the draft, the Cowboys created quite a competition at RB to see who emerges as the starter this year. Watching to see how this position battle shakes out will likely be a top story line the rest of the offseason.
Defensive Tackle (1-tech)
Who ends up being the Cowboys starting one-technique in 2025 will be something worth monitoring throughout the rest of the offseason. Mazi Smith hasn’t delivered on his first-round draft status and could be in a head-to-head battle with rookie Jay Toia for the starting job. With new DC Matt Eberflus, neither player likely has an advantage over the other.
Defensive End (LDE)
With DeMarcus Lawrence exiting via free agency to join the Seattle Seahawks, the starting gig opposite Micah Parsons is up for grabs. This could be an interesting position battle to watch between Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dante Fowler, and possibly Sam Williams. It should be really entertaining watching how this ends up playing out.
Linebacker
The Cowboys signed former Bears LB Jack Sanborn, reuniting him with Matt Eberflus to possibly start at MLB, but nothing has been confirmed as of yet. They also traded for Kenneth Murray Jr. and added Shemar James via the draft to provide more competition and hopefully upgrade the LB position. But, who ends up starting where is still up in the air.
Cornerback
Who ends up starting at CB, and where, might be the ultimate mystery right now for the Cowboys. DaRon Bland is the only sure thing right now, but it’s unknown if he will start on the outside or if he will replace Jourdan Lewis in the slot. Trevon Diggs’ unknown timetable to return also complicates matters. This is a position to keep a close watchful eye on.
