The NFL off-season continues to muddle along for most teams, but the Dallas Cowboys are still making waves. After a successful -as far as we know now- draft, the Cowboys continue to improve.
Dallas brought in another CB/S option in Daryl Worley and then the team significantly upgraded the backup quarterback spot when they signed Andy Dalton. The bottom of the roster churning by the Cowboys has been impressive and should make for some interesting decisions when the season rolls around.
Here’s an early look at the 53-man roster for the Cowboys.
Offense
Quarterback (3)
Dak Prescott, Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci
Dak Prescott will play for the Cowboys in 2020, forget any other noise. Dalton makes a perfect backup and DiNucci hopefully shows enough in preseason to stick.
Under former boss Jason Garrett the Cowboys have gone with just two quarterbacks recently, but Mike McCarthy likes to have a young QB to develop. Dallas could try to sneak him through final cuts and add him to the practice squad, but it’s doubtful they’ll temp fate. McCarthy will choose to keep him.
Running Back (4)
Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, Jamize Olawale
Obviously, the top two guys are safe, Elliott and Pollard are one of the top combos in the league. McCarthy did utilize his FB in his time with the Packers, so Olawale seems safe. Dowdle will win the third halfback spot over last year’s revelation, Jordan Chunn. The rookie from South Carolina has some impressive tape, he just needs to stay healthy.
Great video from @MattWaldman on #Cowboys UDFA RB Rico Dowdlehttps://t.co/Koj2pDyUXS
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) April 27, 2020
Wide Receiver (6)
Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, Cederic Wilson, Devin Smith, Tavon Austin
As it is with the running backs, the top three receivers on the Cowboys rank among the best in the NFL. There isn’t much depth after the top guys, however. Wilson’s upside as a deep threat will keep him around and Smith’s pedigree helps him stick.
Dallas really could use a small, shifty WR to round out the group and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the Cowboys brought in someone before the season. Austin is still a FA, but can be brought back and Taylor Gabriel makes sense too. For now, it’ll be Austin, but don’t dismiss the team bringing in another option.
Tight End (3)
Blake Jarwin, Blake Bell, Sean McKeon
It’s Jarwin’s time to shine, and the Cowboys believe it’s going to happen with the shiny new contract. The team will keep Bell as the blocking TE over Dalton Schultz and keep the undrafted FA McKeon out of Michigan. It feels like the days of keeping four TE’s are over.
Offensive Line (8)
Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Connor McGovern, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, Joe Looney, Tyler Biadasz, Brandon Knight
The Cowboys have one of the deeper, more versatile offensive lines in the league, which allows them to keep just eight so they can o heavy somewhere else. The fight to become the starter at center could have ripple effects throughout the group. Dallas will see who wins the job this summer and figure out where all the pieces fit; it’s a good problem to have.
Continue for the defense and special teams…
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