For the first time in NFL history, roster cutdown day is not staggered throughout the offseason.
Instead, teams are expected to cut down their rosters from 90 to 53 in one fell swoop.
The deadline is 2pm CST on Tuesday, August 29th, or tomorrow at the time of this writing.
I sure am glad I have nothing to do with the decision making regarding who and who doesn't make the team because this version of the Cowboys has to be one of the toughest cutdowns in recent memory.
The Cowboys are stacked with talent at several positions, and attempting to keep as much young talent on the team as possible will prove difficult.
Inevitably, there were be players subject to waivers that will be claimed by other teams, no matter how much the front office holds out hope that a player will make it back to Dallas.
There are ways to keep that from happening, and maneuvering the pieces to make that happen brings on the same level of headache that deciding who makes the final roster will.
We dive into the offense first, and there will be some players left off the roster that will make you scratch your head.
Keep in mind, these are just the predictions of one man, and no way reflect the actual plans the Cowboys have.
Quarterbacks (3)
- Dak Prescott
- Cooper Rush
- Trey Lance
No surprises here. Dak Prescott is returning to the field as QB1 for the Cowboys for the 8th consecutive season.
As quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, Prescott is constantly under the spotlight, and 2023 is no different.
Many view the trade for Trey Lance as a direct shot at Prescott, but it's merely a team taking a chance on a top five talent in the draft at the game's most important position.
Prescott isn't worried about it, and we shouldn't be either.
Cooper Rush comes back a newly paid man after receiving a contract extension this offseason to remain the top backup quarterback of America's Team.
Trey Lance joins him on the depth chart, but has a ways to go before he can supplant Rush as the primary relief.
Running Back (3)
- Tony Pollard
- Rico Dowdle
- Deuce Vaughn
Tony Pollard returns this season to the top of the depth chart after the release of long time fan favorite Ezekiel Elliott.
Backing him up will be fourth year player Rico Dowdle.
Dowdle not only displayed elusiveness, explosiveness, and tough running in the preseason.
He also showed just how good he can be in pass protection, a quality famously left vacant by the now departed Elliott.
Dallas may decide to subject him to waivers, but after a strong preseason, it's better to be safe than sorry and just put him on the initial roster.
Rounding out the running back room is rookie Deuce Vaughn.
If you weren't aware of what Vaughn accomplished in the preseason, you must not have been looking.
He had several highlight plays, and if subjected to waivers, he likely won't make it back to Dallas.
Notable Cuts
- Ronald Jones
- Malik Davis
- Hunter Luepke
Wide Receivers (5)
- CeeDee Lamb
- Brandin Cooks
- Michael Gallup
- Jalen Tolbert
- KaVontae Turpin
I bet the Cowboys front office wishes they could keep 10 wide receivers on this roster, but it just isn't feasible.
The trio of starters is obvious.
CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup make up what could be one of the top trios in the entire NFL.
Jalen Tolbert is a second year player that has made a huge leap in this second season.
KaVontae Turpin is the special teams guy who can take one to the house at any given moment.
He also makes this team because Head Coach Mike McCarthy would like to utilize his explosiveness more on offense.
Notable Cuts
- Simi Fehoko
- Jalen Brooks
Cowboys' TE Jake Ferguson
Tight Ends (4)
- Jake Ferguson
- Luke Schoonmaker
- Peyton Hendershot
- Sean McKeon
Jake Ferguson played second fiddle to Dalton Schultz last year, but comes into this season as the lead dog.
Luke Schoonmaker is the talented rookie that looks to come in and make an immediate impact out of the University of Michigan.
Peyton Hendershot looks to make the next step to become an elite receiving tight end, but he was very close to not making this roster.
The loss of John Stephens Jr. to an ACL tear in Week 2 of the preseason took all the drama out of which tight ends to keep.
Stephens, a former wide receiver, was pushing Hendershot as the Cowboys top receiving threat at tight end.
He likely also could have kept McKeon off the roster, but the scrappy fourth year player is back on the squad.
Offensive Line (9)
- Tyron Smith
- Tyler Smith
- Tyler Biadasz
- Zack Martin
- Terence Steele
- Matt Waletzko
- Matt Farniok
- Asim Richards
- T.J. Bass
Tough decisions will need to be made along the offensive line.
Beyond the starters, I believe Dallas will choose youth over experience, and trust Offensive Line Coach Mike Solari to get the youngsters ready to play.
A mini holdout by All-Pro Zack Martin forced rookies into action during training camp, and T.J. Bass stood out amongst the rest.
He can play either guard spot, and will learn behind one of the best to ever lace them up.
Matt Farniok is the swing interior lineman, able to play either guard spot, but also doubles as a serviceable center if needed.
Dallas made sure to give him more playing time there this preseason, and Farniok held his own.
Matt Waletzko took a big leap from his play last season, and will enter the year as the primary backup to Terence Steele.
Asim Richards is another player that has the ability to play inside or outside, but he looks to slide in at left tackle behind Tyron Smith.
Notable Cuts
- Josh Ball
- Chuma Edoga
