Dallas Cowboys: Way-Too-Early 53-Man Roster and Depth Chart Predictions
The Dallas Cowboys added nine players to their roster during the 2016 NFL draft and each has a realistic opportunity to make the 53-man roster.
Ezekiel Elliott may have been the top pick, but Jaylon Smith was the pick that made the biggest splash. The former Notre Dame linebacker may not suit up in 2016, but he has top-five ability when healthy.
Maliek Collins was a great grab in the third round as he will improve the depth at under tackle and give the Cowboys some interior pass rush. Dak Prescott and Charles Tapper were value selections who filled a need on the Cowboys roster. Prescott won't see the field for a year or two, but Tapper can make a big impact next season if he refines his technique.
The Cowboys had four picks in the sixth round where they grabbed high upside players or players who will make an impact on special teams.
Overall, the Cowboys are a better team today than they were a week ago, which is exactly what you want to do with the draft.
Now, let's take an extremely early look at a 53-man roster projection. Because undrafted free agent signings are hard to verify at this time, they will not be included in this projection; however, readers should keep in mind that usually one or two of them make the final roster each year.
Quarterback
1 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Tony Romo |
| 2 | Kellen Moore |
| 3 | Dak Prescott |
When healthy, Tony Romo is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. His ability to improvise and make quick decisions in chaos is unparalleled in the NFL. If Romo can remain healthy, the Cowboys are a Super Bowl contender.
Kellen Moore doesn't have the size or arm strength you want, but he is a competent backup quarterback. You don't want him to start for long stretches, but he can do well in certain situations.
Dak Prescott is the quarterback of the future or at least the backup quarterback of the future for the Cowboys. Dallas hopes that Prescott turns out better than Stephen McGee as a project player.
Running Back
2 of 13
| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Ezekiel Elliott |
| 2 | Alfred Morris |
| 3 | Darius Jackson |
| 4 | Darren McFadden |
| 5 | Fullback To Be Named Later |
The Cowboys used the No. 4 overall pick to select Ezekiel Elliott, which means he will be the starter when they open up against the New York Giants. He is the best all-around running back they've had since Emmitt Smith. He is that talented.
Alfred Morris is the perfect No. 2 running back as he can spell Elliott and still punish defenses. He has great instincts, and he runs the zone scheme beautifully.
Darius Jackson takes the injured Lance Dunbar's spot on the roster as the jitterbug running back on the roster.
The Cowboys opt to go long at running back in this case as they keep Darren McFadden on the roster. He is a well-rounded running back who is a good presence in the running back room.
Dunbar is coming off a torn ACL, which muddies the water on if he will be available Week 1. In this projection, Dunbar will start the season on the PUP list. If he comes back, Dunbar will likely take Jackson's spot on the final roster.
The Cowboys don't have a fullback on their roster currently, but you can bet they will sign one as Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett has had a fullback on the roster since he was hired.
Wide Receiver
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| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Dez Bryant |
| 2 | Terrance Williams |
| 3 | Cole Beasley |
| 4 | Brice Butler |
| 5 | Lucky Whitehead |
| 6 | Player F |
Dez Bryant wasn't himself last year because of injuries, but when he is healthy he is still a top-five receiver in the NFL. Bryant is a physical freak who dominates opposing defensive backs with his uncanny physicality and strong hands.
Terrance Williams is a solid receiver who you should never expect to be a No. 1 wide receiver. He doesn't run routes well enough to consistently get open against upper-echelon cornerbacks.
Cole Beasley is a jitterbug slot receiver who has carved out a nice niche in the NFL. He is one of Tony Romo's security blankets; therefore, expect him to be much more productive with a healthy Romo this year.
Brice Butler was a new addition to the Cowboys offense last year, and he flashed quite a bit. Butler is an extremely athletic player who needs to fine tune the nuances of playing wide receiver. If he continues to develop, he could eventually replace Williams as the No. 2 receiver on the Cowboys' roster.
Lucky Whitehead is the return man who is still developing as a wide receiver. He has the quickness and speed you want in a receiver, but he is still raw in terms of getting off of press and running good routes.
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Tight End
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| Depth Chart | Player |
| 1 | Jason Witten |
| 2 | James Hanna |
| 3 | Geoff Swaim |
| 4 | Rico Gathers |
Jason Witten has been one of the best tight ends in the NFL for the last decade. He is extremely well-rounded, and he is one of the leaders in the Cowboys locker room. Nevertheless, Witten is one of the older players on the Cowboys which means they need to develop his replacement in the next year or two.
One of the most underrated players on the Cowboys, James Hanna does all the dirty work. He is a fantastic blocker, and he is one of the best special teamers on the Cowboys' roster. He's not much of a receiving threat, but every team in the NFL needs a player like Hanna.
Geoff Swaim was a surprising pick in the 2015 NFL draft, and he didn't get much of a chance to show his abilities in 2015. This year will be crucial for Swaim's development as he can take advantage of the injury to Gavin Escobar.
Rico Gathers is an interesting player who didn't play football in college. Look for Dallas to try and stash him on the roster so they can develop him for the future.
If healthy, Escobar would be on the 53-man roster projection; however, it seems more likely that Escobar starts the season on the PUP list.
Offensive Line
5 of 13
| Depth Chart | Position | Player |
| 1 | OT | Tyron Smith |
| 1 | OG | Zack Martin |
| 1 | C | Travis Frederick |
| 1 | OG | La'el Collins |
| 1 | OT | Doug Free |
| 2 | OT | Chaz Green |
| 2 | OG/C | Joe Looney |
| 2 | OT | Charles Brown |
The Cowboys' offensive line is the best in the NFL as they are dominant in the pass and run games. The Cowboys have allocated a lot of resources to the offensive line, which is why they have so much talent up front.
Tyron Smith is a top-three offensive tackle in the NFL. He is extremely strong and quick, which allows him to do well against any type of pass-rusher. Despite his enormous success, Smith still gets wonky with his technique at times, which explains why he can get beat every once in a while.
While Smith is one of the best offensive tackles, Zack Martin is one of the best offensive guards. He has incredible play strength, and his footwork is masterful to watch.
You can make the argument that Travis Frederick is the best center in the NFL and the most consistent player on the Cowboys offensive line. He is an extremely smart player who has improved his technique by leaps and bounds every year.
La'el Collins had some warts as a rookie last year, but he showed his otherworldly talent frequently throughout games. Collins is a dominant run-blocker who needs to improve his hand positioning and footwork in pass protection.
Doug Free is the leader on the offensive line and a solid right tackle. When he plays in balance, Free can block anyone in the NFL.
Chaz Green was injured for most of the 2015 season; therefore, this season will be the first real look we get at him. Hopefully, Green can develop into the swing tackle for the Cowboys, but don't rule out the possibility of Green playing some guard as well.
Joe Looney, who replaces Mackenzy Bernadeau, is the Swiss Army knife for the Cowboys offensive line.
Charles Brown is the insurance in case Green isn't ready to play, or if Smith or Free gets hurt.
Defensive End
6 of 13
| 1 | Benson Mayowa |
| 2 | Charles Tapper |
| 3 | David Irving |
| 4 | Ryan Russell |
With DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory facing four-game suspensions, the Cowboys will be very thin at defensive end on opening day.
Benson Mayowa is an athletic and bendy defensive end who hasn't been given many opportunities in the NFL. With the snaps he's had, Mayowa has shown a lot of the traits you look for in a right defensive end. Mayowa has the ability to get six or more sacks this year.
Charles Tapper was the Cowboys fourth-round pick, and he has the ability to play on the right or left side. He has the strength to hold up against the run and the quickness to put pressure on the quarterback.
David Irving has the ability to play defensive tackle or end, but with the losses of Gregory and Lawrence, Irving will likely play at defensive end initially. Irving is an athletic freak who plays a physical brand of football. He was one of the bright spots on the Cowboys defensive line last year.
Ryan Russell is lucky Lawrence and Gregory are suspended because if they weren't he'd likely be on the practice squad. This year is vital for his development.
Defensive Tackle
7 of 13
| 1 | Tyrone Crawford |
| 2 | Jack Crawford |
| 3 | Cedric Thornton |
| 4 | Terrell McClain |
| 5 | Maliek Collins |
The Cowboys have a ton of depth at defensive tackle on their roster.
Tyrone Crawford is the biggest name among the defensive tackles. Crawford isn't the quickest player, but he plays with good strength and hand usage to make plays on the interior defensive line.
Jack Crawford was one of the surprises on the Cowboys defensive line last year. He isn't very good against the run, but Crawford can provide a lot of interior pass rush.
Cedric Thornton is new to the Cowboys, but they are very familiar with him. Thornton had been making life difficult for the Cowboys as a part of the Philadelphia Eagles for the last couple years. Thornton plays with good strength, and he has a sneaky first step.
Terrell McClain has shown big-time flashes to become a great nose tackle for the Cowboys; however, McClain hasn't been able to remain healthy since becoming a Cowboy.
Maliek Collins was the Cowboys third-round pick, and he should improve the depth of the defensive tackle position. He figures to fit in as an under tackle, and he could develop into a starter in a few years.
Outside Linebacker
8 of 13
| 1 | Sean Lee |
| 2 | Kyle Wilber |
| 3 | Andrew Gachkar |
| 4 | Damien Wilson |
The Cowboys have a lot of versatility at outside linebacker with almost every player being able to play multiple positions on the defense.
Sean Lee is the leader on the defense and an incredibly productive linebacker. The question with him is always if he can stay healthy. If he can, the Cowboys have a big-time playmaker at the "Will" linebacker position.
Kyle Wilber isn't flashy, but he can play at "Sam" linebacker and defensive end. He is also a fantastic special teams player. Much like James Hanna on offense, Wilber is exactly type of player that every team needs.
Andrew Gachkar has the ability to play outside and inside linebacker, and he is a fantastic special teams player.
Damien Wilson is a young and athletic linebacker who should take a big jump in his development this year.
Inside Linebacker
9 of 13
| 1 | Rolando McClain |
| 2 | Anthony Hitchens |
| 3 | Mark Nzeocha |
Rolando McClain is the biggest enigma on the Cowboys roster. If he is motivated and in shape, McClain is a fantastic football player, and the Cowboys are a totally different defense with him. When he's not, McClain is a liability who harms the defense. At his best, McClain is a fantastic run defender and solid in pass coverage. His physicality sets a tone for the Cowboys, and he has the ability to raise the level of the defense.
Anthony Hitchens is a versatile linebacker who can play any linebacker spot on the defense. He makes an impact on special teams, and he does a great job when he fills in for Sean Lee or McClain.
Mark Nzeocha has the ability to play the "Mike" or "Will" linebacker position. He is an ultra-athletic player who will make an impact on special teams.
Jaylon Smith was drafted in the second round, but it is unclear when he will be able to play. He projects as a "Mike" or "Will" linebacker in this scheme, and if he turns back into the player we saw at Notre Dame, the Cowboys got a real steal.
Cornerback
10 of 13
| 1 | Orlando Scandrick |
| 2 | Brandon Carr |
| 3 | Morris Claiborne |
| 4 | Terrance Mitchell |
| 5 | Anthony Brown |
One of the positions where the Cowboys have the most questions is at cornerback.
Orlando Scandrick is coming off an injury, and the Cowboys hope he can return to his old self. Scandrick is arguably the best slot cornerback in the NFL with his quickness and intelligence.
Brandon Carr just took a pay cut, per DallasCowboys.com's Nick Eatman, which should ease some criticism that the veteran cornerback takes. Carr isn't a spectacular cornerback, but he does a solid job. He is a good No. 2 or 3 cornerback.
Morris Claiborne has been a disappointment since being drafted, but 2015 was his best year to date. If he can continue to develop, he can be a very good cornerback in the NFL.
Terrance Mitchell was a late addition to the roster last year, but we got a good glimpse at how talented he is. Mitchell is a fiery and physical cornerback who has the potential to be a solid player for Dallas.
The Cowboys drafted Anthony Brown in the sixth round, and he should be able to beat Deji Olatoye for the last cornerback spot on the roster. He is a complete player who battles on every snap.
Safety
11 of 13
| 1 | Byron Jones |
| 2 | J.J. Wilcox |
| 3 | Barry Church |
| 4 | Jeff Heath |
| 5 | Kavon Frazier |
Byron Jones spent time at cornerback and safety in his rookie year, but he should be a full-time safety in 2016. He has the ability to play in the deep middle, and he can reduce down and cover tight ends off the line of scrimmage. He has big-time ability, and this year should be his coming out party.
J.J. Wilcox hasn't been a very good player for the Cowboys since being drafted. He takes poor angles, and he fails to come to balance to make tackles. Wilcox is the most likely of this group to get cut.
Barry Church isn't a game-changing safety, but he is extremely solid, and he makes the plays he is supposed to. He will likely start opposite of Jones as the strong safety.
A lot of fans don't like Jeff Heath, but he is an extremely valuable piece to the Cowboys special teams. You don't want to see him get many snaps on defense, but he is a tough and gritty player who has some coverage ability.
Kavon Frazier won't replace Wilcox this year, but he will have every opportunity to do so next year. Frazier projects as a special teams stud in his rookie campaign.
Special Teams
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| Depth Chart | Player |
| Kicker | Dan Bailey |
| Punter | Chris Jones |
| Kick Returner | Lucky Whitehead |
| Punt Returner | Lucky Whitehead |
| Long Snapper | L.P. LaDouceur |
While the 2015 season was a bust, Dan Bailey was arguably the best kicker in the NFL. He is deadly accurate at almost any distance, and the Cowboys never have to be nervous when he lines up to kick.
Chris Jones is a solid and reliable punter who improved a lot in 2015.
It took some time for the Cowboys coach to trust Lucky Whitehead, but he is the only player on the roster, sans Dez Bryant, who is an electric return man. Cole Beasley will probably make a few appearances as a punt returner, but Whitehead should be the main kick and punt returner.
L.P. LaDouceur has been a fantastic long snapper for the Cowboys, and he seems to never make a mistake.
53-Man Roster Projection
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