We are going to see a lot of 53-man roster predictions over the next month.
We’re just getting started with the Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 training camp. As the team’s business in Oxnard, CA gets rolling this week, our latest roster projection sets the stage for where players currently stand, where the most opportunities for change are, and who’s fighting for their football lives.
As we get into each position, it’s important to remember that some players won’t be on the Week 1 roster due to injury issues. This is especially true at cornerback, where Trevon Diggs, Josh Butler, and Shavon Revel are all starting camp on either the Physically Unable to Perform or the Non-Football Injury lists and have unknown timetables for the regular season. We also have LB DeMarvion Overshown, who probably won’t return until November at best. There’s a chance that Diggs or Revel are healthy enough to play in September, but we need to hear more about them before we count on it.
So, based on who’s not already injured, here’s an early look at who we expect to make the team after final cuts. There’s plenty of time for new names to rise or current ones to fall, and we’ll be revisiting this at a few different points throughout camp and the preseason.
OFFENSE (25)
Quarterback (3)
Dak Prescott, Joe Milton III, Will Grier
The only real questions are whether or not Dallas keeps three QBs on the roster and if Will Grier is one of them. Even if he has a horrible August, Milton should get at least a year to continue his development and learn a new system. If he can do enough to match the veteran Grier, the Cowboys may save a roster spot by going with just two passers on the 53 and keeping Grier, or someone new, on the practice squad.
For now, we’re going to put Grier on the roster. Dallas has enjoyed a veteran presence behind Dak Prescott for many years now, plus there’s Dak’s well-known injury issues. Even if Grier or Milton don’t dress as the third QB, they have to be on the 53 for the Cowboys to utilize one of them in an in-game emergency.
Running Back (3)
Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Miles Sanders
Fullback (1)
Hunter Luepke
This is one of the toughest spots to predict, and thus one of the most intriguing. By only adding bargain bin veterans and Day 3 rookies, the Cowboys have left Rico Dowdle’s replacement search as a wide-open field. It’s easy to lean toward one of the experienced guys like Williams or Sanders, but if Blue is the most electric runner, he should demand touches early and often.
Another rookie, Phil Mafah, shouldn’t be ignored. If he has a strong summer, he could push one of the veterans out of the way. And depending on how much Dallas decides to use Hunter Luepke as a true fullback, he and Mafah could end up competing for the same space on the RB depth chart. It’s also possible that Luepke shows enough to double as RB3 and your FB, saving a roster spot for another position.
Wide Receiver (5)
CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert
Jonathan Mingo, KaVontae Turpin
We know Lamb, Pickens, and Turpin will be there. Tolbert is also highly likely, though being on the final year of his contract opens up some discussion. If Mingo is competing with anyone, it’s likely second-year prospect Ryan Flournoy or veteran Parris Campbell.
If the Cowboys do free up a roster spot at QB or RB, it may be to keep a sixth WR like Flournoy, Campbell, or Jalen Brooks. But with projected roster members like RB Jaydon Blue and TE John Stephens having receiver versatility, it allows them to go with five.
Tight End (4)
Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford
John Stephens Jr.
Your first three feel pretty certain, although new UDFAs Rivaldo Fairweather and Tyler Neville could always surprise. But Spann-Ford was already gaining steam last year and has rare physical gifts. The third spot is currently his to lose.
Stephens has entered that dreaded “if he can just stay healthy” zone. If he can finally make it to September, the WR-turned-TE offers position flexibility and a redzone weapon. But like Rico Dowdle a few years ago, Stephens has to finally have some good luck with injuries and stay available.
Offensive Line (9)
Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker
Tyler Guyton, Terence Steele, Brock Hoffman
Asim Richards, Ajani Cornelius, Rob Jones
You really have to look at the entire OL group together because of everyone’s versatility. Richards and Cornelius could handle guard or tackle duties, while Hoffman is a center or guard. Those three, plus the five projected starters, feel fairly certain to make the squad.
It’s that last spot where we have more questions. We’re going with Jones for now, a fifth-year veteran with 30 starts from his time in Miami. He was the presumptive starter before Dallas drafted Booker, and could hang around for depth. But he will have plenty of challengers from the likes of T.J. Bass, Saahdiq Charles, and Nate Thomas.
DEFENSE (24)
Defensive End (5)
Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Sam Williams
A lot can happen at the bottom of this group, but there are four safe bets up top. Parsons, of course, and second-round pick Ezeiruaku are locks. Fowler got an almost fully guaranteed deal to return as a free agent. And Kneeland, as just a second-year player and the top candidate for run defense, would have to have an epic meltdown.
Sam Williams is on shakier ground than those players, but is still a favorite to make the team. Dallas is loading up on competition for him, including newly-signed veteran James Houston, but Williams can hang on if he’s fully recovered from last year’s injury. We could see the Cowboys keep a sixth DE over a fifth DT (see below), but this is our current projection.
Defensive Tackle (5)
Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Solomon Thomas
Jay Toia, Perrion Winfrey
This is a pretty simple group to project. Odighizuwa and Smith are your assumed starters while Thomas provides veteran depth. Toia, while only a seventh-round pick, could fill an immediate role as a true nose tackle and important short-yardage piece.
We’re going with Winfrey as the fifth guy, partly because he has the flexibility to play DE on run defense. His experience and pedigree as a former fourth-round pick give him the edge over Tommy Akingbesote, Denzel Daxon, and other prospects. But he still has to take advantage of this second chance.
Linebacker (4)
Jack Sanborn, Marist Liufau, Kenneth Murray Jr.
Damone Clark
This may seem thin, but you have some mitigating players at other positions. Parsons can play linebacker, as could Ezeiruaku in certain situations. You also have Markquese Bell at safety, who spent 2023 at linebacker. With nickel the most prominent formation these days, you only need two linebackers on the field for the majority of defensive snaps. That reduces the roster need.
Sanborn and Murray are safe bets as new veteran additions, with Sanborn expected to be a field general as a former Matt Eberflus guy. Liufau is also a lock as an up-and-coming prospect, who surprised many with a strong rookie season. We’re also sticking with Clark, hoping that Eberflus’ arrival will salvage him after a rough third year under Mike Zimmer.
Cornerback (5)
DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam, Caelen Carson
Israel Mukuamu, Andrew Booth
Again, we’re still not sure if Trevon Diggs, Shavon Revel, or both might be ready for Week 1. Revel has a better chance, but Dallas might play it extra safe with the rookie. Josh Butler, given that his injury occurred late last year, is slated for a mid-season return at best.
While still listed at safety by the team, Mukuamu has been getting a lot of work at CB so far this offseason. It makes sense given the need, so we’re including him here for now. It may be the only reason Dallas even re-signed him, given how little action he saw last year.
For that fifth spot, we’re giving Booth one more chance. The former 2022 second-round pick by Minnesota had a rough time in his first year with Dallas, but this is his first full offseason with the club. Maybe the new defensive staff figures something out that the last two didn’t. But we’ll know soon if Booth is turning things around or continuing down the flameout path.
Safety (5)
Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas
Markquese Bell, Alijah Clark
An easy top four here with returning starters and key depth guys with Thomas and Bell. If any of those four don’t make the team, it might be Wilson if the veteran loses his starting job to Thomas. We’re also giving a spot to the undrafted rookie Clark, who can provide versatile depth in the secondary as a potential slot corner.
Specialists (4)
Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
C.J. Goodwin
Year after year, people assume Goodwin is done but he keeps hanging on. The 35-year-old got another one-year contract even after special teams coach John Fassel left for the Titans. Until one of these younger guys actually takes his ST duties, Goodwin gets the benefit of the doubt.
