Blogging The Boys
The first preseason game is in the books for the Dallas Cowboys. Two more preseason games remain, but things are slowly starting to take form when it comes to constructing the 53-man roster. Many players who were healthy scratches are safe, while those who logged several snaps are fighting for a spot on the team. Based on playing time, who’s running with which unit, and what they showed against the Los Angeles Rams, here is how the Cowboys roster might be shaping out.
Dak Prescott
Joe Milton
Practice squad: Will Grier (veteran)
This group is pretty set. The team has unwavering faith in second-year QB Joe Milton and hopes he’ll grow enough to be ready if Dak Prescott goes down. Third-stringer Will Grier has a fighting chance to make the team, and what he does these final two weeks could sway things, but he should be a relatively safe stash on the practice squad.
Javonte Williams
Jaydon Blue
Hunter Luepke
Phil Mafah
Practice squad: Miles Sanders (veteran)
The coaches have made it clear that Javonte Williams is currently the lead back, and it appears that rookie Jaydon Blue will be RB2. We also know the team loves fullback Hunter Luepke. The only thing left to sort out is who they keep after that. The Deuce Vaughn love has to end sometime, and this projection doesn’t even have him making the practice squad. A case can be made for both veteran Miles Sanders and rookie Phil Mafah, but their skill sets aren’t so unique that the team needs to keep both. Roster space is scarce, so we’re rolling with the rookie as the player they keep with Sanders an “elevate if needed” option on the practice squad.
Jake Ferguson
Luke Schoonmaker
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Practice squad: Rivaldo Fairweather and Princeton Fant
This feels relatively easy to sort out. The Cowboys have a slew of undrafted free agent candidates to fill out the practice squad, which is why they can afford to go short here. The practice squad is the trickiest part, as it could go several different ways. John Stephens Jr. and Tyler Neville are in consideration for practice squad spots as well. It all comes down to what the coaching staff values. Fairweather had a good game on Saturday and could be the team’s new space tight end option over the often-injured Stephens Jr..
CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
KaVontae Turpin
Jalen Tolbert
Jonathan Mingo
Practice squad: Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy, and Traeshon Holden
Jalen Brooks is hard to leave off the roster because the coaches love him, and he adds value on special teams. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make it. Second-year receiver Ryan Flournoy hasn’t shown enough to supplant any of these other guys and could use another year of development. This year’s camp highlight reel, Traeshon Holden, is a player to keep an eye on and is an early nominee for...
