In about a month the Dallas Cowboys will gather in Oxnard, California. At stake? Who will comprise the final 53-man roster that opens the season in New York.
While that outcome won’t be settled for two months, what better time to come up with an all-time Ultimate 53-man Cowboys roster to field in a single game?
Sure, it’s only useful in the old Strat-O-Matic board games, or in video games that allow for building custom players. But it’s still fun.
Here’s mine, be sure to leave yours in the comments below.
Quarterback
- Roger Staubach
- Troy Aikman
- Tony Romo
The only problem is trying to figure out who starts between Staubach and Aikman. Staubach was almost automatic in the regular season. Aikman was close to unbeatable in the playoffs.
I grabbed Romo for QB3 because both Staubach and Aikman were concussion prone. If I’m bringing in my QB3 I want a man who thrives in chaos under pressure.
Running Back
- Emmitt Smith
- Tony Dorsett
- Marion Barber III
Yeah, good luck stopping these guys. The NFL’s all-time leading rusher (Smith), the only player to win a Heisman and a National Championship in his last year in college, then win a Super Bowl as a rookie (Dorsett), and a living bulldozer (Barber).
The big problem would be getting them enough touches. Those are called nice problems to have.
Fullback
- Daryl Johnston
- Robert Newhouse
You have to have the guy that plowed the way for much of Smith’s all-time best rushing yards. The Moose was also a threat to score in short-yardage situations in his own right.
Newhouse was not only a great blocking back, he also led the team in rushing in one of his seasons too.
Wide Receiver
- Drew Pearson
- Bob Hayes
- Michael Irvin
- Dez Bryant
- Miles Austin
- Tony Hill
These six would give defensive coordinators nightmares. Each of them made memorable catches during their time in Dallas.
For those wondering how Hill made the team there’s a simple explanation. He’s third all-time in receiving yards for the Cowboys.
Hill was overshadowed for most of his Cowboys career, but he made some huge plays for Dallas over the years.
Tight End
- Jason Witten
- Billy Joe DuPree
- Jay Novacek
It’s a shame Witten never even saw a Super Bowl in a Cowboys’ uniform. The team’s all-time leader in receptions and yards made some iconic plays during his time.
DuPree and Novacek were no slouches in that respect. They both have the rings on their fingers to show for it.
Center
- Mark Stepnoski
- John Fitzgerald
I know a lot of people are asking where Travis Frederick is. But his career was cut well short by his illness.
Both Stepnoski and Fitzgerald anchored lines that collected four of Dallas’ Super Bowl wins. I want that leadership in the middle of the line.
Guard
- Larry Allen
- Zack Martin
- Herb Scott
- Blaine Nye
How would you like to line up against Allen and Martin, have them pound on you for a few drives, and then get relived by Scott and Nye.
Better have plenty of ice baths up and running after the game. These four moved defensive lines like they weren’t even there.
Offensive Tackle
- Rayfield Wright
- Tyron Smith
- Mark Tuinei
- Ralph Neely
Most modern-day Cowboys’ fans will easily recognize Wright, Smith, and Tuinei. But if you get a chance, check out some of the games from the 1960s and 70s. Neely was something special.
Kicker
- Rafael Septien
Not too many kickers stayed on the roster for multiple years in Dallas. While Dan Bailey was rock-solid for a few years, Septien was a steady presence on special teams for a lot longer.
Punter
- Danny White
White was the better punter all-time. Plus he was a threat to run or pass at any time.
Better yet, he’s a nice emergency fourth quarterback in case Staubach and Aikman get knocked out and Romo breaks his collarbone again.
Defensive End
- Ed “Too Tall” Jones
- Charles Haley
- DeMarcus Lawrence
- Jim Jeffcoat
- Larry Cole
Every opposing quarterback on the schedule would immediately retire rather than face this rotation. Can you blame them?
Defensive Tackle
- Bob Lilly
- Randy White
- Harvey Martin
- Leon Lett
- Russell Maryland
Try to run the ball up the middle against these guys. Go ahead, try. We dare you.
Linebacker
- Micah Parsons
- DeMarcus Ware
- D.D. Lewis
- Chuck Howley
- Lee Roy Jordan
- Dat Nguyen
The Cowboys historically have had a lot of great linebackers. Trying to weed out the best six was a task.
I’d go to war with this group. Especially with Parsons and Ware terrorizing the quarterback off the edge.
Defensive Back
- Mel Renfro
- Deion Sanders
- Trevon Diggs
- Everson Walls
- Cliff Harris
- Charlie Waters
- Terence Newman
- Roy Williams
How would you like to try to throw against this group? Or try to run a route against them and catch a pass, especially with the 1970s NFL pass defense rules?
I wouldn’t. I might not be to eager even playing under today’s rule interpretations.
Forgot Darren Woodson. All-time leading tackler, incredible player, and a true Dallas Cowboy.
Yeah, I probably should have put him in ahead of Roy Williams there. Good catch.
Erik Williams over Mark Tunei
Ken Norton over Dat Nguyen
Herb Scott?? Definitely Nate Newton
Harvey Martin was a defensive end, not a tackle
And agree on Woodson over Williams
No Ken Norton, Jr., Erick Williams, Hollywood Henderson, or Nate Newton???
They were all final cuts. Newton was the toughest of the four. Henderson and Norton got beat out because they play a position that Dallas has historically been loaded at.
So far, the only player I forgot about and should have listed, is Darren Woodson. Flat out brain farted that one.
I’d also take DeMarco Murray and Zeke over Barber.
Uh…. No. Sorry, but I want a bruiser to come in and pound on the defense and that’s Barber.
As if Zeke wouldn’t pound at 225 lbs. Ask Kam Chancellor who got a taste in Zeke’s first ever game.
I’ll die on the Barber over Zeke hill.
You guys have me dead to rights over forgetting to include Darren Woodson though.
Darren Woodson has to be on the list
Noted above. I completely forgot Woodson when I was going over all of the DBs in Dallas’ history. I would amend my list by replacing Roy Williams with Darren Woodson.
Better add Gilmore to that list 🙂
He kind of needs to play at least a game or two in a Cowboys uniform first, don’t you think?
Cowboy fan since 1966, sounds like a solid group, when Woodson is added, how about Duane Thomas in that backfield, and Walt Garrison at FB
He left the Cowboys to play for the Redskins. And DeMarco left to play for the Eagles.
They are both Ex-Communicado, lol
Cowboy fan since 1966, Walt Garrison, Duane Thomas, Calvin Hill
It’s a good list but some needed considerations aside from Woodson and Zeke. Hollywood Henderson over Dat is a no brainer. I also think TO over Austin or Hill.
It actually came down to Hollywood and Dat for the last LB spot when I reviewed my list. Hollywood short-circuiting his career the way he did, while Dat contributed for longer was the determining factor.
As for T.O. he only played three years in Dallas and Hill played his entire career with the Cowboys. Hard to leave the No. 3 all-time yardage receiver for the team off the list.
How do you not even mention Don Perkins??????
I only have 53 slots and a full team to build man, someone had to get cut, lol.
Perkins was a great back, but I had to go with the top 3.
Darren woodson???
Wait – You don’t have Darren Woodson?! And you put Miles Austin ahead of Terrell Owens? And 3-time Pro Bowler DT LaRoi Glover is missing. DD Lewis and Dat Nguyen were good, but I’d take Ken Norton Jr or Hollywood Henderson ahead of them.
Mentioned above, I completely fumbled that one. No excuses why either other than I flat out forgot him.
I’m shock you didn’t have Chuck Howley in the linebacker group.
He’s In the ring of honor, 1st defensive player to win MVP of a super bowl.
Only player on a losing team to win super bowl MVP. During his career, Howley intercepted 25 passes, returning them for 399 yards and two touchdowns. He finished with more than 100 yards in interception returns for both the 1968 and 1971 seasons. He also recovered 18 fumbles, returning them for 191 yards and one touchdown. He is second in Cowboys’ history with his 17 fumbles recovered. His 97-yard return of a fumble during a game against the Atlanta Falcons on October 2, 1966, is still the second longest in Cowboys history.
Another final cut. And one of the toughest. As I’ve mentioned above, the LB position in Dallas has had some great ones.
You have Martin and Cole at the wrong positions. Zeke was better than Barber. No Erik Williams?