The Dallas Cowboys have landed back in Texas after a productive training camp and preseason in Oxnard, California. I feel for the players and coaches. Weeks of beautiful California weather are behind them, and the oven that is Texas awaits.
It has been hotter than a pair of black cleats left in the sun before a 3:25pm kickoff in the Arizona desert. Heat indices have reached 120 degrees in South Texas where I live, but nothing is hotter right now than the burning question: Who will make the 53-man roster?
If you tuned in to the website yesterday, you will see that I made my predictions for the offensive side of the ball. Today, we move on to the defensive side. I must say that this exercise was more difficult than the offensive side, and tough decisions were made.
The Cowboys lost key players in the offseason like LB Leighton Vander Esch, CB Stephon Gilmore, defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr., and DT Johnathan Hankins.
They did such a good job finding talent to replace those players through the draft and free agency that it made cutting down the roster more difficult than I imagined it would be.
Without further ado, let’s dive into my final 53-man roster prediction on the defensive side of the ball for the Dallas Cowboys. The offense finished with 24 players, but the defense came in a little heavier with 27.
Defensive End (5)
DeMarcus Lawrence, Marshawn Kneeland, Micah Parsons, Carl Lawson, Al-Quadin Muhammad
DeMarcus Lawrence and Marshawn Kneeland will be the starting defensive ends in week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. The two players are basically clones of one another. Lawrence has been reincarnated 10 years later through Kneeland, and he couldn’t have a better mentor.
Micah Parsons is listed as a defensive end, but I expect DC Mike Zimmer to exploit him in a two-point stance more often than not.
The Cowboys defensive end depth took a blow with Sam Williams tearing his ACL during a team drill a few weeks ago in training camp. Carl Lawson and Al-Quadin Muhammad were brought in to help fill the void, and Muhammad has been surprisingly effective.
Lawrence and Kneeland are adept at stopping the run, while Parsons, Lawson, and Muhammad will specialize in rushing the passer.
Defensive Tackle (6)
Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Linval Joseph, Jordan Phillips, Chauncey Golston, Justin Rogers
I didn’t expect to list six defensive tackles on the roster, but Zimmer wants to get bigger in the interior of the defense, and he needs bodies for that rotation.
The starters will be Osa Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith, with the rest of the crew rotating in often. Linval Joseph and Jordan Phillips will team up on short yardage downs, as well as Justin Rogers.
Chauncey Golston possesses the flexibility the Cowboys crave in their players. He has always been a tweener, playing inside and outside. It appears Zimmer wants Golston to focus on 3-tech defensive tackle in his system, and Golston is ready to answer the call.
Linebacker (5)
Eric Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown, Damone Clark, Marist Liufau, Willie Harvey
Six defensive tackles meant I had to go lighter somewhere, and the linebacker corps was the victim. Technically, Parsons could be listed here and it would make it six. He will be a hybrid.
Zimmer brought in Eric Kendricks to teach his system to young guys like DeMarvion Overshown and Damone Clark. The player who has gotten the most out of Kendricks’ tutelage has been rookie Marist Liufau.
Willie Harvey was the best linebacker in the UFL, so the Cowboys brought him into training camp, and lo and behold, he was good enough to make the roster.
Cornerback (6)
Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Caelen Carson, Josh Butler, Israel Mukuamu
The top four corners on the depth chart were a no-brainer, but the decision-making afterward got cloudy. After Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, and rookie Caelen Carson, it’s anyone’s job to win.
Josh Butler gets the nod from me this season, as well as the talented, but oft-injured Israel Mukuamu.
Both of them can help tremendously on special teams, and Mukuamu has shown us he can be effective if asked to step onto the field and cover wide receivers. He played well in the 2022 playoffs, but mysteriously, was not given the opportunity in 2023 for an expanded role.
Safety (5)
Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas, Julius Wood
The Cowboys have talent and depth at the safety position again, and they can thank Dan Quinn for that. There was never an emphasis on the position, but Quinn brought that back, and Zimmer appreciates it.
At Zimmer’s disposal are four safeties who can start for any other team in the NFL. Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Markquese Bell, and Juanyeh Thomas will split reps this season and all contribute heavily.
Julius Wood has been impressive at camp and in preseason games, and there was no way I could let him hit the waiver wire to be claimed by another team.
There are the 27 defensive players I predict will make the final 53-man roster for the Dallas Cowboys. Did I get it right? Who did I leave out? Hit the comments and let’s talk about it.