Predicting Dallas Cowboys roster locks prior to the 53-man cut down

With the preseason now behind us and in the books, there will be no shortage of 53-man roster projections for the Dallas Cowboys popping up all over the internet. Instead of following the crowd though, we decided to take a different approach by predicting who we consider to be roster locks with the Cowboys this season. We do this in the hopes of getting a better understanding of where exactly things stand at each position prior to cut downs. We’ve added a few guys as ‘surprise locks’, guys who based on camp and preseason play should be locks, but in reality are still a little vulnerable.

Quarterback

Dak Prescott
Joe Milton

There is absolutely zero reason to question Prescott as a roster lock. He is the unquestioned starter for the foreseeable future. Milton should be considered a roster lock as well, despite his shaky preseason. He was acquired via trade to be a developmental QB and will continue to be so.

Running back

Javonte Williams
Jaydon Blue
Hunter Luepke

Williams has watched the entire preseason from the sideline with the rest of Dallas’ key starters, cementing his roster spot. Blue’s upside and explosiveness make him a roster lock as well. We can pencil in Luepke as a lock as well. He is expected to play a much bigger and versatile offensive role this year.

Wide receiver

CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
KaVontae Turpin

Dallas’ WR position is one the ultimate mysteries prior to the 53-man roster cut down date. The only thing we know for sure is Lamb, Pickens, and Turpin are the only ones guaranteed a roster spot right now. What happens behind them on the depth chart is anyone’s guess.

Tight end

Jake Ferguson
Brevyn Spann-Ford

Ferguson inked a new long-term contract extension not long ago, securing his roster spot for years to come. Prior to his injury, Spann-Ford was pushing for the TE2 job, and even with him sidelined, Luke Schoonmaker hasn’t really stood out. We believe he could be traded/released in favor of another TE on the roster.

Offensive line

Tyler Guyton
Tyler Smith
Cooper Beebe
Tyler Booker
Terence Steele
Brock Hoffman
Nathan Thomas
T.J. Bass

No real surprises here. The Cowboys have their starting five in Guyton, Smith, Beebe, Booker, and Steele for the season once Guyton is fully healthy, which could be sometime soon. And in Hoffman, Thomas, and Bass they have their backups along the interior and swing OT.

Defensive tackle

Osa Odighizuwa
Solomon Thomas
Perrion Winfrey (surprise lock)

Both Odighizuwa and Thomas have been held out the entire preseason like other key players, leaving no doubt of their job security. Winfrey on the other hand has played pretty extensively and looked like Dallas’ best DT in preseason. He should be a roster lock as well considering the lack of depth at the position.

Defensive end

Micah Parsons
Dante Fowler Jr.
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Marshawn Kneeland
Tyrus Wheat (surprise lock)

The exclusion of Sam Williams and James Houston as roster locks may come to a surprise, but probably not as much as the prediction of Tyrus Wheat as a lock. He is highly thought of by Dallas’ coaching staff and we believe one, if not both, of Williams or Houston could be traded.

Linebacker

Jack Sanborn
Kenneth Murray Jr.
Marist Liufau
Shemar James
DeMarvion Overshown

The trio of Sanborn, Murray, and Liufau have no doubt secured their roster spots for the Cowboys in 2025. We also believe James’ play in the preseason and the fact he was a draft pick by this coaching staff secures his spot as well. We’re inncluding Overshown also, even though he’ll start the season on IR or the PUP list.

Cornerback

DaRon Bland
Kaiir Elam
Zion Childress (surprise lock)
Trevon Diggs
Shavon Revel Jr.

Bland and Elam are no doubt roster locks, and Childress has done enough to make the cut despite being an undrafted rookie. Diggs and Revel are roster locks as well, even though they may start the season on the PUP list or IR as they continue work their way back from season-ending injuries.

Safety

Malik Hooker
Donovan Wilson
Juanyeh Thomas
Israel Mukuamu (surprise lock)

Hooker and Wilson joined the other Cowboys key players watching from the sideline during preseason, which is proof enough they will be Dallas’ starting safeties in 2025. We also believe Thomas is a roster lock due to his versatility to play either safety spot. Mukuamu sticks as well due to his position flex and special teams value.