The big event of the offseason, the 2026 NFL Draft, has come and gone. The Dallas Cowboys, along with the rest of the league, are hopeful the players they added via the draft and those that went undrafted will be able to come in and upgrade their rosters.
As far as the Cowboys are concerned, their rookie draft class, as well as the trade they made for veteran LB Dee Winters, looks like a promising group who should be able to come in and help Dallas’ new DC Christian Parker improve defensive production. Things are far from settled though, but for now we’re encouraged how the roster is shaping up this year.
Below is our way-t00-early 2026 53-man roster prediction for the Dallas Cowboys. We currently have a total of eight rookies making the team this year, including one undrafted free agent.
Prescott is the unquestioned QB1, but there looks to be a open battle between Milton and Howell to become his primary backup. If true, we have Howell winning the competition to become the QB2.
Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, Hunter Luepke
Williams returns to be Dallas’ RB1, Davis and Blue provide depth, and Luepke continued his is versatile FB role. The Cowboys may be on the lookout for an RB2 upgrade once roster cuts are made though.
CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Anthony Smith (R)
Dallas’ top four WRs look to be set in stone, but the position battle to claim the WR5 spot could be an interesting one. We believe Smith is the front runner, but he will face some stiff competition to earn the job, including the newly-added Marquez Valdes-Scantling. .
Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Michael Trigg (R)
Ferguson and Spann-Ford are Dallas’ TE1 and TE2. UFDA TEs DJ Rogers and Michael Trigg likely unseat Luke Schoonmaker. Trigg gets the nod as TE3 because he brings a little something different to the position.
Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, Nate Thomas, Ajani Cornelius, T.J. Bass, Matt Hennessey, Drew Shelton (R)
In Guyton, Smith, Beebe, Booker, and Steele Dallas has their starting five. Thomas returns as a swing OT with Bass and Hennessey as backup iOL. Cornelius adds depth at RT and Shelton could compete with Thomas for the swing OT job.
Donovan Ezeiraku, James Houston, Rashan Gary, Sam Williams, Marist Liufau, Malachi Lawrence (R)
Lawrence added some much-needed juice to their pass rush, but they still could be on the lookout to further upgrade the position after roster cuts. Liufau could be a trade candidate if the position switch doesn’t work out.
Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, LT Overton (R)
Williams and Clark are the backbone of the entire defense. The depth behind them could continue to be churned, but for now Ogbonnia, Bullard, and Overton are the favorites to stick around.
DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James, Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham (R), *TBD*
Trading for Winters and drafting Barham upgraded the LB position for the Cowboys, but they will surely be on the lookout for another linebacker either via trade or roster cuts, someone with veteran experience.
DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Caelen Carson, Reddy Steward, Cobie Durant, Devin Moore (R)
It’s going to be interesting to see how Christian Parker utilizes Dallas’ CBs this year. Bland, Revel, Durant and even Moore could all potentially be competing with one another to start on the outside.