The Dallas Cowboys must be down to 53 players on their roster by 4pm ET on Tuesday, August 26th which means that the next few days could/may be filled with all sorts of news pertaining to the group. While the Cowboys will submit a “final” 53-man roster on Tuesday there are a lot of elements […] The Dallas Cowboys must be down to 53 players on their roster by 4pm ET on Tuesday, August 26th which means that the next few days could/may be filled with all sorts of news pertaining to the group. While the Cowboys will submit a “final” 53-man roster on Tuesday there are a lot of elements to it that will not be final. The full and total group that will kick off the season in Week 1 may not be fully finalized until around the weekend after the deadline given the way things tend to go. It stands to be a busy few days as noted which means we will be tracking all of the action that unfolds as it does. This stream will house all of the articles that have anything to do with the path to the final 53, including our annual roster cuts tracker.

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 […] 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. Special teams K Brandon Aubrey P Bryan Anger LS Trent Sieg Nothing to see here. This is without a doubt the easiest players to predict as roster locks. 8 CommentsSee More: Dallas Cowboys Roster

Saturdays aren’t just for college football, they’re for Cowboys Nation to scout the future. Every week here at Blogging The Boys, we’ll spotlight the biggest college matchups and the players who could soon wear the Star. From potential first-rounders to under-the-radar prospects, we’ll give you the names to know and the games worth watching as we […] Saturdays aren’t just for college football, they’re for Cowboys Nation to scout the future. Every week here at Blogging The Boys, we’ll spotlight the biggest college matchups and the players who could soon wear the Star. From potential first-rounders to under-the-radar prospects, we’ll give you the names to know and the games worth watching as we look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft. If you want to get a jump on who might help America’s Team in the years to come, this is your weekly college football guide. GAME OF THE WEEK For Week 0, college football and College Gameday is packing its bags, grabbing a passport, and heading across the Atlantic to Ireland for one of the most entertaining season openers in recent memory. Dublin’s Aviva Stadium becomes BTB’s College Game of the Week for Week 0, and is the battleground for two Big 12 rivals, Iowa State and Kansas State. Yep, Farmageddon has gone international Cowboys fans. Kansas State last played outside the U.S. in 1992. And as for Iowa State? Well, this is brand new territory for the program. Cyclone fans are trading tailgates for Temple Bar, and Wildcats fans are swapping cowbells for Celtic drums. Both teams enter ranked with K-State at No. 17, and Iowa State at No. 22, making this one of the most high-profile international college kickoffs ever. Both programs have Big 12 title aspirations and a loss in Week 0 would feel like leaving Dublin with a hangover and no souvenirs. Win, and you’ve got the jump in the Big 12 heading into September. Lose, and you’re already playing catch-up. Game Overview Matchup: Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas State Wildcats. August 23, 2025, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland. Kickoff Time: 12:00 p.m. (EST) K-State favored by 3.5 points This marks a historic moment as the first-ever Big 12 matchup in Ireland, and the 11th Aer Lingus College Football Classic held on Irish soil. Player Watch Kansas State: Austin Romaine, LB One of the best run-stopping linebackers last year and was impressive in sniffing out the ball barrier. His ability to diagnose plays quickly and react proactively sets him apart here among this year’s linebacker draft class. He’s a fundamentally sound tackler and known for his wrap-up technique and recorded 96 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and two sacks in 2024. Straight-line athleticism is an issue. This limits his effectiveness against vertical threats like speedy tight ends or receivers in man coverage. Pursuit angles need work and shedding blocks is a massive coaching point for him this season. Right now, Romaine looks to be the prototypical “Mike” linebacker, instinctive, physical, and disruptive. His tackling prowess, run-read efficiency, and knack for creating turnovers make him a defensive cornerstone at Kansas State and a rising NFL draft prospect. However, questions linger around his straight-line speed and agility in coverage situations. Iowa State: Domonique Orange, DT Known as “Big Citrus” for his size (6’4”/328 lbs), Orange uses his mass effectively. His upper-body power routinely overpowers centers and guards, collapsing pockets and clogging running lanes. He possesses good snap anticipation and burst, getting into gaps early and making plays before blockers can set up. Named to The Athletic’s “Freaks List,” highlighting his rare athletic profile for his size. As for weaknesses, Orange struggles against multi-block scenarios. His technique and leverage sometimes fall short, he doesn’t always shed or split blocks as often as he should. Pad level can creep up during rushes, making him vulnerable to counter moves. Plus, limited lower-body flexibility hinders his ability to bend around blockers effectively. His arm length will be something to watch for, and technical refinement are questions moving forward, but let’s see how he’s adjusted during Spring training. Overall, Orange is a physical specimen, massive, powerful, and explosive from the interior. For the NFL to unlock all of his potential, he’ll need to refine fundamentals like pad level, leverage, and block shedding. As he is right now, he profiles best as a rotational, high-impact player, especially in pass-rush or short-yardage packages. Jontez Williams, CB Williams tallied four interceptions last season which included a streak of four straight games creating a turnover. His knack for creating defensive plays makes him a flashy impact play waiting to happen. Transitioning from a multi-positional high school athlete, including time as a wide receiver, Williams showcases strong ball skills and instincts, carrying over into his cornerback play. He’s almost a little like Trevon Diggs in that respect. Where he falls short is the fact Williams isn’t the biggest corner. In the NFL, he’ll often face taller, more physical receivers and at 5’11” and sub 200 lbs he’s undersized. He’ll need to show grit in contested scenarios and refine his press coverage technique to compensate and raise his stock this season. Consistency and lockdown ability throughout a full season versus top-tier receivers will define his draft ceiling. If Williams can continue to refine his footwork and physical presence in coverage, he profiles as a Day 2 pick, someone who could develop into a valuable nickel CB or boundary starter. So Cowboys Nation, keep your eye on him, he’s the kind of dynamic, instinctive corner who could be a difference-maker on defense and fill a gap in 2026. Fresno State vs.Kansas Fresno State Bulldogs roll into Kansas, taking on the Jayhawks at the beloved David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in what’s shaping up as an intriguing season opener. Bulldog fans are riding into this one with a fresh face under center, E.J. Warner, son of NFL legend Kurt Warner, who has claimed the starting quarterback job. The double transfer from Rice brings serious pedigree, and a name that comes with

The Dallas Cowboys officially tied a bow on their preseason on Friday night and did so with a fun win over the Atlanta Falcons. It was great to see the Cowboys play well and do so in their home building. Preseason results don’t matter, but establishing some good vibes with the season opener less than […] The Dallas Cowboys officially tied a bow on their preseason on Friday night and did so with a fun win over the Atlanta Falcons. It was great to see the Cowboys play well and do so in their home building. Preseason results don’t matter, but establishing some good vibes with the season opener less than two weeks away is a very good thing, especially with the recent headlines surrounding this team. Needless to say, it felt good for good things to happen. Below you will find our final stock report for the exhibition part of the season. Next time we lace ‘em up it will be with the Cowboys either undefeated or having suffered defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. Let’s begin. Stock Up: James Houston The Cowboys are going to have to find a way to get James Houston on the 53-man roster. He can play. It goes without saying that pass rusher is where this team is most deep and Houston would add to that. He has shined and popped ever since joining the team and that he finished the preseason with a strong showing means he has done all he can. Stock Up: Joe Milton Joe Milton played the best game of his Dallas Cowboys career on Friday night. Easily. This was his rushing touchdown on the night, but he had an impressive passing one as well (more on that in a moment). Beyond the stat sheet he finally looked calm and controlled while navigating the game as a quarterback. He and the coaching staff deserve serious kudos for getting things together. We already knew that Milton was going to be this team’s QB2, but he likely calmed some of the waters of panic with his game against Atlanta. That the Cowboys leaned into his rushing ability is also really exciting as that is the most dynamic part of his game. If he ever did have to play in the regular season it would make sense to lean into that. Stock Up: Jaydon Blue Friday offered our first chance to see Jaydon Blue play football for the Cowboys and he absolutely lived up to the billing. Blue would have an injury scare before the night was over (we will provide more information around here when it is available), but he is very clearly someone who can help this team immediately. Obviously that is when he is healthy. It was wonderful to see Blue involved. All the best to him from a health standpoint. Stock Up: Brandon Aubrey Brandon Aubrey made a 64-yard field goal. A SIXTY-FOUR YARD FIELD GOAL. It was only the preseason, but that gets a stock up every day of the week. Stock Up: Jalen Brooks It is going to be very interesting to see how many receivers the Cowboys carry and which ones they do. Clearly the Jonathan Mingo injury could play a role in that overall math. The way that Jalen Brooks played is going to play a role as well. Look at this throw and catch (this was the aforementioned Milton pass). Brooks has done a great job of scratching and clawing for opportunities ever since joining the Cowboys. Whether or not it works out this year will remain to be seen, but he gave it his best shot on Friday night. Stock Up: Brian Schottenheimer We have not had many opportunities to sing Brian Schottenheimer’s praises during the preseason and no one was happier to see the Cowboys just play football and do so well (what with all of the recent headlines as noted) than him. Beyond the fact that the team appeared ready and focused for their final preseason game, it is particularly impressive that Schotty gave the offense the green light with under a minute left in the first half. It was that sequence that led to Aubrey’s booming swish from downtown. Good for Brian Schottenheimer. It was only the preseason as noted, but it was technically his first time experiencing a win as the Dallas Cowboys head coach. Stock Up: Shemar James How about an interception for the rookie to close out the preseason?! James has had a fantastic first run with the Cowboys. It will be a ton of fun to see how his rookie season goes. Static Stock: Ryan Flournoy and Deuce Vaughn You may have forgotten what static stock is… if it isn’t obvious it’s a player who was a little bit of both and bad. With regards to this exact moment it is more about these players’ placement on the roster as far as the bad is concerned. Ryan Flournoy had a decent night against Atlanta, but it is hard to know if it was enough to earn him a spot with the final group. This can also be said for running back Deuce Vaughn, but to a significantly lower degree. I imagine we all assume that Vaughn won’t make the final roster, but we should note that he played fairly well in what may have been his last game wearing the Cowboys uniform. Stock Down: Mazi Smith It is hard to keep banging this drum as it feels unproductive. Unfortunately for Mazi Smith, he did not exactly shine outside of when the Falcons left him completely unblocked. Will the Cowboys go so far as cutting him? There is not a ton of precedent for them parting ways with a first-round pick before their rookie contract expired since the introduction of the rookie wage scale (Taco Charlton is the only instance… shout out to Ann Arbor). That is a big question. Stock Down: Penalties While it wasn’t a huge situation, the Cowboys did struggle

It does not matter if it’s only the preseason; winning feels good. After a stumbling 0-2 start in the preseason, the Dallas Cowboys coasted past the Atlanta Falcons to get the win in front of the home fans at AT&T Stadium, the first for Brian Schottenheimer as head coach of the Cowboys. The offense showed […] It does not matter if it’s only the preseason; winning feels good. After a stumbling 0-2 start in the preseason, the Dallas Cowboys coasted past the Atlanta Falcons to get the win in front of the home fans at AT&T Stadium, the first for Brian Schottenheimer as head coach of the Cowboys. The offense showed a lot more consistency, and the passing and the running game complemented each other very well. The Cowboys had their best game on the ground, going for over 100 yards as a team. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for those who needed it, however. Mazi Smith needed to have a big game, and unfortunately, he did not, and the same concerns lingered. He was driven backwards and did not provide enough as a pass rusher. This leaves his roster status uncertain. As for others, a few players made tremendous strides that did enough to instill confidence from the coaches. Here are three stars who shone bright in the preseason finale and either seemingly secured a spot on the roster or eased concerns from the fans. Honorable Mentions: Mike Smith & Shemar James For Mike Smith, it might be too little too late. He had a terrific game and was often in the right place at the right time. He led the team in tackles with eight, four of them of the solo type. Although he won’t get credit for the interception, he smartly read the deep pass by Ben DiNucci to force the ball in the air as it landed in the waiting arms of Robert Rochell. Also, Shemar James has stood out throughout the preseason despite the Cowboys having problems stopping the run. James is a physical downhill hitter who levels running backs, but his marquee play of the night was an interception of Easton Stick. James did an excellent job reading the eyes of Stick to step in front of the pass and effectively end the Falcons’ chances of making a comeback. James also had five stops and another pass defended. Joe Milton Over the first two games of the preseason, Joe Milton had come under a lot of fire for his troubles with his accuracy and making quick decisions with the ball. That wasn’t the case on Friday. Milton got the ball out quickly at the top of his dropback, hit his receivers in the chest, and overall had a much better command of the offense. He also did a much better job understanding when to leave the pocket to run, versus when to hang in the pocket for an extra second to find his receivers downfield. On the opening drive, Milton identified that the defense was out of position, and he waltzed into the end zone to give Dallas the early 7-0 lead. Outside the pocket, he was terrific and made a really nice play in one instance where he rolled to his right and found Traeshon Holden along the sideline for a nice gain. Milton’s best throw of the night was a beautiful touch pass to the end zone to Jalen Brooks who was able to haul in the pass for a touchdown. Ignore the cumulative stats and his 55% completion percentage; Milton’s performance was a step in the right direction and was something for Milton and the team to feel good about. Ryan Flournoy With Traeshon Holden playing as well as he has over the course of the preseason and training camp, you felt that Ryan Flournoy needed to have a strong game to close the preseason to cement his place on the team. He very well may have with his game against the Atlanta Falcons. He and Milton developed a rapport early and became Milton’s most consistent target on Friday. He ran crisp routes out of his breaks and made him a good target for Milton. During the Cowboys’ two-minute drive at the end of the first half, Flournoy’s catch and run helped the Cowboys set up Brandon Aubrey for a 64-yard field goal to close the half. Flournoy also showed up in the running game, making multiple blocks that opened some nice holes for Deuce Vaughn to run through. Flournoy appears to have done enough to make the team, squeezing out the other receivers at the bottom of the roster. A great showing by the second-year receiver. James HoustonIf you keep stacking good days like James Houston, it’s easy to get noticed. The trend continues for Houston as he came out with a couple of flashy plays against the Falcons to put the finishing touches on a great preseason. Early in the contest, Houston forced his way through the offensive line to drop Easton Stick for a big loss on a sack. Then, later in the game, from his stand-up defensive end stance, Houston wisely read the jet sweep coming to his side and laid down the boom for a tackle for loss. So far, Houston has been a problem for opposing offenses. He’s got great hands to work through the offensive lineman’s initial punch and has a relentless motor to counter the offensive line and string moves together. He’s separated himself from the other rushers in the preseason to where it’s hard to imagine him not making the team. If somehow, he doesn’t, the Cowboys will be sweating to see if he clears waivers to get him back on the practice squad. 2 CommentsSee More: Dallas Cowboys Preseason