Dallas Cowboys 53-Man Roster Prediction Entering Preseason Week 3

There will be some tough cuts as the Cowboys trim their roster to 53 players.

Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis celebrates his touchdown with guard Nick Leverett against the Arizona Cardinals. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the second week of the NFL preseason, 34-13. Now, the Cowboys head home for their preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints, the same franchise they couldn't stop fighting during their joint practice this past week.

This means the players on the bottom of the depth chart are running out of time to push for a spot on the 53-man roster. Shortly after this one concludes, those tough decisions will need to be made as the roster gets trimmed down from 90. While a few players could make a push in the finale, here's how the 53-man roster could look based on what we know through the first two weeks of the preseason.

Quarterback (3):

• Dak Prescott
• Sam Howell
• Joe Milton

Running Back (4):

Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• Javonte Williams
• Malik Davis
• Jaydon Blue
• Hunter Luepke

Notable Cuts: Phil Mafah

Wide Receiver (6):

• CeeDee Lamb
• George Pickens
• Ryan Flournoy
• KaVontae Turpin
• Camden Brown
• Jonathan Mingo

Notable Cuts: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Anthony Smith

Tight End (3):

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson at training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• Jake Ferguson
• Brevyn Spann-Ford
• Michael Trigg

Notable Cuts: Luke Schoonmaker

Offensive Line (9):

• Tyler Guyton
• Tyler Smith
• Cooper Beebe
• Tyler Booker
• Terence Steele
• Drew Shelton
• Nate Thomas
• T.J. Bass
• AJani Cornelius

Notable cuts: Trevor Keegan

Offensive Summary

Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis runs the ball in the first half against the Arizona Cardinal at State Farm Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

All three quarterbacks stay on the 53, but Joe Milton has done enough to take back the QB2 job. Phil Mafah had a late touchdown against the Cardinals, but it's not enough to leapfrog Jaydon Blue or Malik Davis. At wide receiver, Dallas goes six deep, which is what Cowboys On SI writer Mike Moraitis believes they need to do after the performances of Jonathan Mingo and Camden Brown.

At tight end, Luke Schoonmaker still has a chance to make the roster, especially with Michael Trigg's recent injury. For now, he's out, but that can change if Trigg misses the finale. Lastly, their offensive line won't be easy to figure out. Trevor Keegan and Nick Keverett have been solid, but Ajani Corenlius has been one of the top tackles in the preseason. Cornelius played some guard as well, which is why he makes it, but this is arguably the toughest to figure out right now.

Defensive Line (5):

• Quinnen Williams
• Kenny Clark
• Otito Ogbonnia
• Jonathan Bullard
• LT Overton

Notable Cuts: Jay Toia

EDGE (6):

• Rashan Gary
• Donovan Ezeiruaku
• Von Miller
• Malachi Lawrence
• Sam Williams
• James Houston

Notable Cuts: Marist Liufau

Inside Linebacker (4):

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James lines up during the game between the Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• DeMarvion Overshown
• Jaishawn Barham
• Dee Winters
• Shemar James

Notable Cuts: Curtis Robinson, Langston Patterson, Justin Barron

Cornerback (5):

• DaRon Bland
• Shavon Revel Jr.
• Cobie Durant
• Devin Moore
• Caelen Carson

Notable Cuts: Caelen Carson, Zion Childress

Safety (6):

Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs enters the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• Caleb Downs
• Jalen Thompson
• Malik Hooker
• P.J. Locke
• Markquese Bell
• Julius Wood

Notable Cuts: Alijah Clark

Specialists (3):

• Brandon Aubrey, K
• Bryan Anger, P
• Trent Sieg, LS

Defensive Summary

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller looks on in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Oddly enough, it's the defensive side of the ball with the toughest cuts. That's a result of the added depth as they don't have room for nose tackle Jay Toia on the defensive line. At edge, Von Miller ends up pushing out Marist Liufau, which is unfortunate as he's been showing progress. Perhaps they decide to keep him over Sam Williams, but this final week will be huge in helping decide that battle.

At inside linebacker, the Cowboys go with just four players, although Justin Barron and Curtis Robinson both look the part. There are 11 players in the secondary, which is where they could decide to make a cut to keep someone on the bubble they don't want to risk. Julius Wood might be the one at risk, although his performance in the preseason will make it difficult to cut him.

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