Mike Fisher projects the final depth chart as Dallas navigates a looming deadline, weighing veteran cuts against potential trade block blockbusters to reshape the 2026 roster.
FRISCO - As Dak Prescott trotted up the AT&T Stadium postgame tunnel following Friday's preseason-closing loss to the Saints, he muttered to no one in particular ...
"It's all real now.''
Indeed, as I write this, the Dallas Cowboys have put training camp and the preseason games in the rear-view mirror and will now focus on having to cut the roster from 91 players down to 53 prior to Sunday’s 5 p.m. CT deadline.
Here, "Fish Predicts'' - my roster projection for the "final'' 53 ... which as you'll learn as you read on, won't really be "final'' at all ...
(Sidebar: The Cowboys were planning a Sunday afternoon press conference. It just got moved to Monday. Hmmm.)
Quarterback (3) Dak Prescott, Joe Milton III, Sam Howell
Milton won the QB2 job, and I believe if they cut Howell - who played well enough - he'd pass through waivers unclaimed.
Still, owner Jerry Jones teased the idea of keeping all three. And when Jerry teases, I listen.
Running Back (4) Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, Hunter Luepke
My only change here from a month ago is the elevation of Malik Davis to the No. 2 slot. Phil Mafah didn't quite do enough to usurp Blue.
Wide Receiver (5) George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo
The pitchforks will come out over the cutting of Camden Brown, but I predict he'll also pass through waivers to return to the practice squad. Mingo is no fan favorite, but his work mirrored Brown's ... so they keep the vet.
Tight End (3) Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
UDFA rookie Michael Trigg was showcased Friday but didn't show enough. He's got a toe injury, so maybe he gets stashed, and certainly he'll be called back. Meanwhile, no, "Schoony'' "deserves'' nothing. But here he is.
Offensive Linemen (9) Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Nick Leverett, Drew Shelton and a newcomer
Speaking of "merit'' ... Shelton was a fourth-round pick, and if he makes it, that - not performance - will be the reason. (And also why Trevor Keegan, who played well on Friday, gets dumped). Biggest dip? A month ago, Nate Thomas was supposed to have a shot at starting at left tackle; now he's but a memory.
Oh, and yes, I think Dallas might move Ajani Cornelius to IR and will chase help at swing tackle, and I'll once again mention the name Dawand Jones of the Browns.
UPDATE: Make it the Steelers' starting tackle Broderick Jones. Dallas is giving a third- and a sixth-rounder for a fourth and Jones.
Defensive Tackle (5) Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, LT Overton, Jonathan Bullard
The only change I see here is if Bullard goes on IR to allow Jay Toia to stick around.
Outside Linebacker/EDGE (6) Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, James Houston, Sam Williams
Sam Williams might be catching a break here as Marist Liufau’s wrist injury opens up a slot. Meanwhile, yes, I think Dallas should be circling back with trade talks on the Raiders' Maxx Crosby and the Cardinals' Josh Sweat.
Inside Linebacker (4) Dee Winters, DeMarvion Overshown, Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James
Do they still need another guy here, in the form of a trade with Miami for Jordyn Brooks or in the form of a free-agency signing of Bobby Wagner? Barham may have killed those ideas. And James beats out Justin Barron because of his special-teams status.
Cornerback (5) DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel Jr., Devin Moore, and a newcomer.
This room feels largely revamped from a year ago ... and I don't think they're done. (Free agent Adoree Jackson, maybe?) Moore was drafted, so guys like Caelen Carson are going to get squeezed.
Safety (6) Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker, P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell, Alijah Clark
The number seems overloaded because Downs is so much more than "just a safety.'' (And Thompson might be, too.) Dallas thinks Bell is a special-teams star, and thinks that Clark might be.
Special Teams (3) Brandon Aubrey, Trent Sieg, Bryan Anger
The only trick here among the three specialists is that they could cut the long-snapper Sieg knowing he'd go unclaimed.
And then, after all of that?
Yes. "It's all real now.''
