Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart 2011: Predicting the Week 1 Two-Deep

The Dallas Cowboys have new looks at some positions, and some players who started in Week 1 of last season may find themselves on the bench during Week 1 this season.

There are new parts to the machine like Tyron Smith and Bruce Carter, so how will the Cowboys handle their positions entering the regular season?

Let's take a look at how the Cowboys depth chart may look entering Week 1.

Offense

Quarterback

1. Tony Romo

2. Jon Kitna

Romo and Kitna will hold serve heading into 2011. Stephen McGee is safe in the third slot.

If there is an injury of any kind to Romo in 2011, expect to see more of Jon Kitna and not Stephen McGee. 

Running Back

1. Felix Jones

2. DeMarco Murray

Jones is the obvious starter for the ‘Boys, and rookie DeMarco Murray is safe.

But there is speculation that Tashard Choice may be traded before the season starts. He’s nursing a sore calf right now, and if he fails to get back on the field soon, he may find himself wearing another jersey.

So far Miller has made a great showing in training camp and may force Choice out of Dallas. 

Fullback

1. Chris Gronkowski

2. Shaun Chapas

Chapas could easily win this job in training camp or in the preseason.

Gronkowski obviously will need to improve his blocking acumen, and if head coach Jason Garrett loses faith in him, he may well see the bench. 

Right Wide Receiver

1. Miles Austin

2. Jesse Holley

This is how the right side of the receiving corps is listed right now for Dallas, but that could change quickly.

The Cowboys could use a veteran at the third receiver position as Holley is still growing. 

Left Wide Receiver

1. Dez Bryant

2. Kevin Ogletree

I honestly think the left side will remain the same. Ogletree is make or break this season, and obviously Dez Bryant isn’t going anywhere.

Both players will need to show growth this season, but Ogletree’s maturity will be key to his roster position. 

Tight End

1. Jason Witten

2. Martellus Bennett

Bennett’s job as backup is safe for right now, but John Phillips was all over him last preseason before his injury. Martellus needs to show growth this season, and if he doesn’t, Phillips will have his job. 

Left Tackle

1. Doug Free

2. Sam Young

There was talk of Free moving to the right side of the line, but as of right now, he’s the protector of Tony Romo’s blindside.

Sam Young is a young talent who’s still developing and should turn into a pretty good tackle in the years to come. 

Right Tackle

1. Tyron Smith

2. Jermey Parnell

This is another part of the depth chart that may change.

Parnell spent last season with the Dolphins, and there is no guarantee that he will make the opening-day roster for the Cowboys.

Rookie Tyron Smith is the future for Dallas, and his job is as safe as Deion Sanders' position in the Hall of Fame.

Left Guard

1. Kyle Kosier

2. David Arkin

As of right now, Kyle Kosier is playing the right side due to an injury to Montrae Holland. He’ll serve as a big help to rookie Tyron Smith but should be moved back to the left once Holland comes back.

Rookie David Arkin should see limited playing time this season, but we’ll get a glimpse of him during the preseason. 

Right Guard

1. Montrae Holland

2. Kevin Kowalski

Holland’s injury—as well as his play this preseason—may shake up the line.

Kowalski is an undrafted free agent who will have to earn his way on to the opening-day roster. 

Center

1. Andre Gurode

2. Phil Costa

Gurode will hold court again as the starting center, and Phil Costa will serve as his backup when needed. Nothing new, but this shows stability. 

Defense

Right End

1. Marcus Spears

2. Kenyon Coleman

Spears was re-signed after the Cowboys realized just how much they would miss his production... oh, and how depleted the free-agent defensive market had become.

Spears will remain and should rotate out with newcomer Kenyon Coleman. 

Left End

1. Jason Hatcher

2. Igor Olshansky

I really believe that Hatcher may emerge as the opening-day starter. He’s had measured success his entire career, and he’s due for a breakout season.

Olshansky has been a slight disappointment for the Cowboys and will either lose his job to Hatcher or both players will rotate during games. 

Nose Tackle

1. Jay Ratliff

2. Josh Brent

Ratliff will remain as the starter at nose tackle but may play left or right end at times.

Good things have come out of Cowboys camp about Josh Brent and how well he’s playing. When Ratliff plays the end, Brent will plug the middle and there shouldn’t be a dramatic drop-off 

Middle Linebacker

1. Bradie James

2. Kenwin Cummings

Bruce Carter may start the season on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list due to his knee injury, so there is no reason to believe that James will lose his job right away. 

Outside Linebacker

1. Sean Lee

2. Keith Brooking

I’m not sure if Lee will win the job outright to start the season, but I believe it will be his before the year is out.

Lee is young, has a lot of potential, and should play the position better than Brooking once the 2011 season finishes.

Weak-Side Linebacker

1. DeMarcus Ware

2. Brandon Williams

We all know that Ware isn’t going anywhere but Brandon Williams is in his third year out of Texas Tech. He won’t take Ware’s position, but when Ware needs a breather or gets injured, Williams will need to step up.

Strong-Side Linebacker

1. Anthony Spencer

2. Victor Butler

Spencer will need to show that last year was a fluke and play to his potential in 2011. Butler won’t take his job but if Spencer is mediocre, we could see the two players rotate frequently. 

Right Cornerback

1. Mike Jenkins

2. Alan Ball

If Jenkins’ 2011 is anything like his 2010 and the ‘Boys have to turn to Alan Ball, we will be in for one of the longest seasons ever.

Ball is back playing his natural position, so the drop-off may not be too drastic, but Jenkins needs to return to his Pro Bowl form of 2009. 

Left Cornerback

1. Terance Newman

2. Orlando Scandrick

Newman’s time in Dallas is coming to a close, and it would have been over this year had the Cowboys signed Nnamdi Asomugha. Newman will be steady, getting burned occasionally, but should serve the Cowboys well this season. 

Free Safety

1. Gerald Sensabaugh

2. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah

Sensabaugh’s job is safe. He plays in the defensive backfield, a serious weak spot for the Cowboys last season. The Cowboys were smart to re-sign Sensabaugh as he brings stability. 

Strong Safety

1. Abram Elam

2. Barry Church

Elam wants to be a playmaker for the Cowboys, and he’ll have his chances to make plays.

He’s familiar with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s defense, and it’s a serious upgrade over what Dallas had last season.