Blogging The Boys
The Dallas Cowboys are now through two preseason games, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has limited time to figure out before cutting down to 53 players. On Monday, he hinted at some surprises being in the works, with guys making the roster that aren’t currently being projected by the media to do so, and vice versa.
Well, Coach, challenge accepted. Here’s another attempt at predicting the Cowboys’ 53-man roster after the team’s uninspiring loss to the Ravens on Saturday. We’ve added in some surprises as Schotty suggested.
Dak Prescott
Will Grier
Joe Milton
Schottenheimer said that Joe Milton will start the final preseason game, elaborating that the coaching staff is still trying to evaluate him while knowing what they have in Will Grier. That makes it sound like Grier will be relied on as the QB2, with Milton still needing to show he has the makings of an NFL caliber quarterback someday.
Of course, it’s a moot point, for now, with Dak Prescott the obvious starter anyway.
Javonte Williams
Miles Sanders
Jaydon Blue
Deuce Vaughn
Hunter Luepke
Here’s where one surprise may pop up. Not only could the Cowboys opt to go heavy at running back, but they’ll keep Deuce Vaughn over seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah, who probably ends up on the practice squad. Mafah has been solid in the preseason, but Vaughn offers a unique skillset that Schottenheimer is sure to value. He can also contribute on special teams, something that often makes these decisions.
Elsewhere at the position, Javonte Williams is the only running back to be a healthy scratch through two preseason games, which hints at his standing in this room. Miles Sanders could be in danger if Jaydon Blue goes off against the Falcons on Friday, especially after a middling performance against the Ravens, but for now he’s likely safe.
CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
KaVontae Turpin
Jalen Tolbert
Traeshon Holden
The top four are all locks, unless the Cowboys are suddenly able to trade Jalen Tolbert for something really valuable. But Prescott has great chemistry with Tolbert, making a trade unlikely. Instead, he’ll alternate with KaVontae Turpin as the third receiver in this offense.
After those four, though, it’ll only be undrafted rookie Traeshon Holden. This is partially due to Jonathan Mingo likely being put on the short term injured reserve, with a 4-6 week timeline to recover from his injury, but also a reflection of how much more this team is going to use multiple tight end sets. Neither Turpin or Tolbert will be playing 70% or more of offensive snaps, so the need for depth behind them isn’t as great.
Jake Ferguson
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Tyler Neville
Speaking of those tight ends, here’s another surprise: Luke Schoonmaker isn’t going to be on the roster. Whether it’s because of a trade or being outright released, Schoonmaker hasn’t done enough this preseason to show he fits what Schottenheimer is looking for. Jake Ferguson clearly has, and...
