ARLINGTON — Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has made it abundantly clear that they don’t have to make any final decisions yet.
Backup quarterback? They’re still evaluating.
The last couple receiver spots? Still working through it.
A cornerback room filled with mystery? That’s future Schottenheimer’s problem.
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But the future is closing in fast. One preseason game remains. Cutdown day, which is Aug. 26, will be upon us soon.
Let’s not waste any time projecting what those results will be, however. Here’s version 3.0 of our roster projections.
(Spoiler: There will be some changes. Starting at the top.)
Quarterbacks (3)
Players: Dak Prescott, Joe Milton, Will Grier
It would’ve been a luxury for the Cowboys to save a roster spot and go with only two quarterbacks. There were reasons to believe that Milton could solidify that luxury with a successful preseason. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, Milton has struggled in his first two preseason performances.
There’s so much talent with Milton. On the flip side, there’s so little trust.
So, from an insurance standpoint, the Cowboys have no choice but to carry three quarterbacks. That includes Grier in this case, whom Schottenheimer and the Cowboys know well.
Using an extra spot for a third quarterback will have some repercussions.
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) caches a pass during the second day of full-squad mandatory minicamp at The Star in Frisco, June 11, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
Running backs (4)
Players: Javonte Williams, Hunter Luepke, Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah
Another change here from our previous projections. Veteran Miles Sanders started training camp on a positive note. He looked quick as he quickly impressed in camp. He then suffered a knee injury that kept him out for a portion of camp. He returned this past week and played in the preseason game against the Ravens. The results weren’t promising.
With that in mind, the Cowboys elect in this projection to go younger and keep seventh-round pick Mafah, who’s earned momentum as training camp has gone on. The Cowboys could have a chance to sneak him onto the practice squad if they were to cut him, but it might not be worth the risk.
Wide receivers (6)
Players: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert, Ryan Flournoy, Jonathan Mingo
I jokingly posted during Saturday’s preseason game that Flournoy leads the Cowboys in a newly invented statistic: potential receiving yards if the targeted throw was better. Point being: Flournoy has been getting open in his second preseason. He’s also played well on special teams, opening up a path to the roster.
Tolbert continues to perplex. He seemingly had upward momentum after leading the team in touchdown receptions last season. That hasn’t carried over so far. Could he take a step forward in the final couple weeks of the preseason?
One to watch is Mingo. He had a MRI exam on Sunday for a possible PCL injury. He could be out for a little while. Would it be enough to start the season on the PUP list and open up a spot for Jalen Brooks or Traeshon Holden?
Dallas Cowboys tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford (89) ducks under a blocking dummy before taking a pass during a training camp practice in Oxnard, California, July 23, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
Tight ends (3)
Players: Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
For what it’s worth: Princeton Fant would be on the short list of players who nearly made the roster in this projection. The “bull,” as he’s nicknamed, is not to be messed with when he shows his horns. He’s physical and someone that could play fullback as well as tight end. And special teams, too.
It’ll be interesting to see how quickly Spann-Ford can get back from his ankle sprain. He was catching passes on the jugs machine after practice in a helmet this past week in Oxnard.
Offensive line (9)
Players: Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, Nate Thomas, Brock Hoffman, Hakeem Adeniji, T.J. Bass
The one change here is swapping Adeniji for Asim Richards, who had earned a lot of praise the past couple of seasons for what he could do if he was called upon. In the preseason, it hasn’t been pretty. He’s had multiple penalties and has struggled at both tackle and guard. The Cowboys already have a lot of depth at guard. I could see them prioritizing tackle depth, especially with Tyler Guyton recovering from a knee injury.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer slaps hands with rookie defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (41) during the team’s OTA practice at The Star in Frisco, May 20, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
Defensive line (10)
Players: Micah Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas, Mazi Smith, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, Dante Fowler, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Payton Turner, Perrion Winfrey
Sometimes there’s a difference between who’s earned a spot on the roster and who actually makes it. Consider James Houston as an example. He’s often been the last player off the field at practice as he worked on pass rush drills. That same work ethic is matched in his intensity on the field. On Saturday, he was productive, finishing with two quarterback hits.
He’s earned a spot. The problem: with prior investments involved, is there even one for him? It’s hard to find that right now — especially now that the Cowboys need to have three quarterbacks on their roster. One player I’d love to see more from is Turner. The former first-round pick has been quiet through two games. The Cowboys gave him $2 million guaranteed, according to Over The Cap. Could that be enough to guarantee a roster spot?
Linebackers (5)
Players: Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, Marist Liufau, Damone Clark, Shemar James
It may not be the most talent the Cowboys have had at linebacker, but the group appears to be deep. Clark has been perhaps the biggest surprise. He looked like he was on a downward trajectory after last season. He’s flipped the script this offseason, including seven tackles and two for loss in the first half on Saturday. He looks like he’s secured a roster spot heading into the final year of his contract.
Sanborn will be interesting to watch. I think he has the potential to show that he’s more than the part-time player he was in Chicago.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Andrew Booth (25) intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester (83) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at AT&T Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer
Cornerbacks (6)
Players: DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam, Israel Mukuamu, Andrew Booth, Kemon Hall, Zion Childress
Here’s another example of a roster spot casualty with the Cowboys being forced to carry three quarterbacks.
A spot for a spot, a soul for a soul, a luxury for a luxury.
In this projection we swap the luxury of having two quarterbacks for the luxury of having a special teams only player. C.J. Goodwin, the second-longest tenured Cowboys player, gets cut in this projection — even though there’s a strong chance he makes the team again.
Kudos to Andrew Booth, who played more — and probably better, frankly — than was expected on Saturday. He was ranked as the team’s highest-rated defender, according to Pro Football Focus. He also had an interception return for a touchdown.
The fascinating battle: Can Zion Childress earn the starting nickel corner spot over Kemon Hall?
And a quick reminder: This group will change this season. The Cowboys could have four players with injury designations to start the season off the roster: Trevon Diggs, Shavon Revel Jr., Caelen Carson and Josh Butler. Carson will have a chance to return before that.
Safeties (4)
Players: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell
Probably the second-easiest position to predict on this roster. Hooker has had a good camp. Wilson has earned praise from Schottenheimer for his physicality and how he communicates with the rest of the defense. Thomas and Bell have consistently proved to be trustworthy players when called upon. No surprises here.
Specialists (3)
Players: Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
And here’s the easiest position group to project. No changes here, nor will there be.
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