Initial Cowboys 53-man roster projection

Tony Nguyen | Dallas Cowbyoys
July 24, 2024

The Dallas Cowboys have arrived in Oxnard, CA for training camp, as Wednesday is the deadline for all players to report. It was an extremely offputting and disappointing offseason for both fans and several players, following the off-putting and disappointing showing in the 2023 playoffs. The team didn’t make any semblance of even the bare minimum free agency moves of the past, much less go after big-name targets. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons all want new contracts, and Lamb isn’t expected to show up as his offseason holdout continues.

While the Lamb holdout does afford the down-roster receivers more opportunities to show their worth, it doesn’t impact 53-man roster projections, yet. The expectation is that one side or the other will eventually cave, as the fine structure is prohibitive to players thanks to the ever useful NFLPA. With that in mind, here’s how we see the initial regular season roster and 16-man practice squad looking after camp is complete.

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Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) smiles on the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Trey Lance #15 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 12: Rico Dowdle #23 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Jun 4, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) on the field during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Hunter Luepke (43) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 12: Deuce Vaughn #42 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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Feb 2, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) participates in the AFC versus NFC Pro Bowl practice and media day at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver John Stephens Jr. (49) during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford (88) stiff-arms Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Sanoussi Kane (21) during the NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 49-30.

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Feb 4, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) of the Dallas Cowboys before the 2024 Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert (18) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 04: NFL player KaVontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys attends the NFL Pro Bowl Weekend Celebrity All-Star Game 2023 benefiting the charity D Up On Cancer at the Cox Pavilion on February 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 30: Wide receiver Jalen Brooks #83 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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Jun 5, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyler Guyton (60) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Matt Waletzko (71) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Asim Richards (76) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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Jun 5, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Zack Martin (70) warms up during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard T.J. Bass (66) Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

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Jun 5, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parson (11) warms up during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: DeMarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Wednesday: DNP
Thursday: Limited
Friday: ?

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Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 26, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith (58) on the sidelines during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Carl Davis Jr. (98) on the sideline during the second half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

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Jun 5, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Marist Liufau (35) and linebacker Eric Kendricks (50) go through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (35) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

BEREA, OHIO – AUGUST 29: Linebacker Willie Harvey #56 of the Cleveland Browns works out during training camp at the Browns training facility on August 29, 2020 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Jun 5, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson (45) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

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Apr 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs talks to a member of the Mavericks staff during the second quarter of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the LA Clippers during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) eats a turkey leg after the Cowboys victory over the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 25, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

May 23, 2017; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (2) reacts during organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Eric Scott (37) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday: —

Thursday: —

Friday: —

Wednesday: Limited

Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas (30) during pregame warm ups against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 12, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Israel Mukuamu (24) walks off the field after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

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Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) watches his field goal in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys punter Bryan Anger (5) prepares for the game against the Giants, at MetLife Stadium. Sunday, September 10, 2023

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 01: Trent Sieg #44 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with Chauncey Golston #99 of the Dallas Cowboys after Golston’s two point conversion during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Wednesday: —
Thursday: —
Friday: DNP

Aug 26, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis (34) runs the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 7, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Nathaniel Peat (8) runs the ball and is tackled by LSU Tigers defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson (99) and LSU Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks (40) during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant (48) wears a Guardian helmet cap during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper (16) during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Chuma Odoga (71) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 25, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks center Dakoda Shepley (64) walks to the locker room following a 13-10 loss against the New Orleans Saints at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Tyrus Wheat (91) during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 20: Chauncey Golston #99 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Aug 31, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) runs the ball as South Dakota Coyotes linebacker Brock Mogensen (49) defends during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 5, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Buddy Johnson (57) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 1, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Josh Butler (40) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 5, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Julius Wood (33) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 5, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Emany Johnson (39) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive back C.J. Goodwin (29) catches a pass for a first down on a fake punt in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys 53-man roster projection as 2024 training camp commences