The Cowboys’ first unofficial depth chart raises some eyebrows

The kickoff to the 2024 NFL regular season is under five weeks away and training camp has already revealed interesting things about many teams. In Oxnard, California, the Dallas Cowboys have pressed on despite WR CeeDee Lamb’s holdout in anticipation of a new contract, as well as a dark cloud over the team with QB Dak Prescott also awaiting a new deal.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of a week of preparation for the first preseason game of 2024, the Dallas Cowboys have released their unofficial depth chart ahead of the inaugural game.

“Unofficial” is the key word here.

Of course, social media flooded dallascowboys.com writer Patrik “No C” Walker’s tweet with the ferocity of a shiver of sharks at fresh prey.

Patrik shared a photo of the unofficial depth chart knowing that it would stir up Cowboys fans from every corner of Twitter/X.

There are some observations that catch the reader’s eye from the jump, but let’s not spoil our dinner during the appetizer portion of this article.

Let’s dive in for observations that will raise some eyebrows.

Chuma Edoga Has Dak’s Blindside?

According to this (unofficial) depth chart, Chuma Edoga will be the starting Left Tackle if the season starts today.

Edoga has been subpar in training camp, to say the least.

Tyler Guyton, the Cowboys’ 1st-round pick, has been out for the past few days with an illness. That might have been the reason Edoga is listed first.

Nothing to see here, people.

There is little evidence that points to Edoga starting over Guyton when it matters. Chalk it up to a rookie needing to earn his spot and it not being given until closer to the regular season.

Another Rookie Needs to Prove Himself

Move over a few spots on the offensive line, and you will see Josh Ball listed as the primary backup to RG Zack Martin. Ball has been with the team since 2022, but injuries have kept him from making more of an impact.

There wouldn’t be anything alarming about this, but rookie Cooper Beebe is listed as the third string right guard behind Zack Martin and Josh Ball. No offense to Ball, but he probably won’t make this team, while Beebe might start at center.

Again, this appears to be a rookie rite of passage–Beebe must earn a higher spot on the depth chart with his play on the field.

A Close Tight End Race

After Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker, it’s a four-man race for two more tight end spots on the final roster. Peyton Hendershot, John Stephens Jr., Princeton Fant, and Brevyn Spann-Ford round out the rest of the depth chart, in that order.

I do find it surprising that Princeton Fant is listed ahead of Spann-Ford, but that could also just be more of the “rookie needs to prove it” attitude that the Cowboys are known for.

Ferguson and Schoonmaker are locks for the roster, obviously.

Beyond that, it really depends on how the Cowboys choose to structure the rest of the depth chart. If they plan on a run-heavy scheme, it increases the chances that Spann-Ford makes the team.

If they decide to exploit the athleticism of the tight end group, those chances lean towards Hendershot, Stephens Jr., or Fant.

A Rookie Over a Redshirt?

Eric Kendricks arrived in Dallas to help implement DC Mike Zimmer’s defense. Unfortunately, he has been dealing with a sore back, but it has opened up opportunities for rookie Marist Liufau.

Liufau is listed as the starting Will (weak side) linebacker over last season’s 3rd round pick, DeMarvion Overshown.

Overshown did not start training camp on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list despite still being in recovery from a torn ACL.

Marist Liufau’s highlight of training camp is a clip that is making the rounds on social media where he blows up LG Tyler Smith before he can get to the second level. Plays like that might be what has him listed at the top of the depth chart.