Cowboys 53-Man Projection Offense: Deuce Grade, Linemen Trade?
ARLINGTON, Texas - How much did one preseason game alter the Dallas Cowboys' thoughts on their 53-man roster, a number that must be reached - in one sweeping set of transactions in cutting to 90 - by August 29? Let's dig in...
QUARTERBACK (2): Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush No change here, though No. 3 QB Will Grier demonstrated plenty of evidence as to why, assuming he's cut, he will be re-signed and brought back to Dallas' practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (3): Tony Pollard, Deuce Vaughn, Rico Dowdle Three is all you get? Then these might be the three ... and suddenly, in that order. The physical Malik Davis will get every chance to catch up in these next two preseason games, and Ronald Jones (groin) and rookie UDFA Hunter Luepke deserve mention, too.
But the story right now is Deuce "I Belong!'' Vaughn ... who has the backing of everybody in the organization, now including an enthused Dak Prescott.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup, Jalen Tolbert, Kavontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks The top three spots on Dallas' receiver depth chart are set. After that? Tolbert's much-ballyhooed improvement was very much on display in this game.
Dallas wants to find a way to use Turpin beyond just as a return man, so we pencil him in. And then it's up to seventh-round rookie Brooks to hold off Simi Fehoko.
TIGHT END (4): Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Peyton Hendershot, Sean McKeon Schoonmaker has been dealing with a foot injury, so he's listed second as a large projection. McKeon is the fourth-stringer, and he can block ... but rookie UDFA John Stephens Jr. has pushed himself into the "Four Horsemen'' conversation.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin Terence Steele, Matt Farniok, Matt Waletzko, Asim Richards, TJ Bass We're predicting a new veteran name will be added here, via trade or signing ... and not just because of the Martin holdout. There is no problem with the starting five, listed left to right above. There are problems with the rest, all of whom are either "prospects'' or "suspect'' or less.
Dallas employs a surplus of defensive ends; that's trade bait. Or ... credentialed guys like Andrew Norwell and Dalton Risner can be acquired via free agency. Something is bound to change here.
Chuma Edoga (injured) could change that. We don't think Josh Ball or Brock Hoffman do. That's a concern ... though assuming Martin is under contract before Week 1's trip to New York, the overall concern will turn to overall celebration.
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