Today we continue to try to predict the Dallas Cowboys final 53-man roster for the 2020 season focusing on the defensive side of the ball. Yesterday I shared with you the 23 offensive players I believe make it through the final cuts and now we turn our attention to the opposite side of the ball. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Defensive Tackle (4)
Dontari Poe, Antwaun Woods, Trysten Hill, Neville Gallimore
Losing Gerald McCoy for the season is without a doubt a big blow to the Dallas Cowboys DT position. Fortunately, they still have some solid depth at both the 1 and 3-tech positions. Poe will take over as the starter at the 1-tech with Woods as his primary backup. Hill and Gallimore will likely battle it out to become the starting 3-tech, however, Tyrone Crawford could fit into the equation as well.
Defensive End (8)
DeMarcus Lawrence, Everson Griffen, Tyrone Crawford, Aldon Smith, Dorance Armstrong, Joe Jackson, Bradlee Anae (R), Ron’Dell Carter (R)
I think the Cowboys may go a little deeper than usual at the DE position after McCoy’s season-ending injury. Lawrence and Griffen are no doubt the starters with Armstrong and A. Smith as their primary backups. Crawford and even Joe Jackson provide DT/DE position flex and for now I have Anae and Carter sticking around for depth purposes.
Linebacker (6)
Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, Sean Lee, Joe Thomas, Luke Gifford, Francis Bernard (R)
Smith and LVE will once again give the Cowboys defense a formidable LB duo and Lee and Thomas provide invaluable starting caliber depth. Both Gifford and Bernard are talented enough to stick around to develop, but in the meantime their value lies in what they can do on special teams.
Cornerback (6)
Chidobe Awuzie, Daryl Worley, Trevon Diggs (R), Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Reggie Robinson (R)
I don’t think there’s any surprises here at CB. I believe Awuzie and Worley start the season on the outside with Brown playing in the nickel. Diggs and Robinson could be the future of the position, but will likely be brought along slowly before being thrust into action. Lewis provides invaluable depth due to his ability to play on the outside or in the slot.
Safety (3)
Xavier Woods, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Donovan Wilson
I think the Dallas Cowboys could go a little thin at the safety position this year. Woods and Clinton-Dix are expected to start, but Wilson could very well be in the mix as well. CBs like Awuzie, Worley, and maybe even Robinson will likely be cross trained for depth purposes.
Special Teams (3)
L.P. Ladouceur, Chris Jones, Greg Zuerlein
Not much has change here except the addition of Greg Zuerlein, who seems to be a favorite of Cowboys’ new Special Teams Coach John Fassel. Neither Ladouceur or Jones seem to have any competition at the moment, despite the fact the latter is coming off one of his worst seasons in the NFL.
