Some position battles and some rookie surges highlight Dallas' initial roster depth chart, revealing crucial clues about the starting lineup and the high-stakes competition for depth roles.
The Dallas Cowboys have released their first depth chart ahead of the Satuday night preseason opener at the Seattle Seahawks ...
And there are a handful of notable items in the bunch.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer recently told us that in terms of who would actually play in these exhibition games, he's got an "A'' list, a "B-plus'' list, a "B-minus'' list and a "C'' list ... meaning if you're an "A'' (think Dak Prescott) you're too established and valuable to be put in harm's way.
But if you're a "C''? We'll see you in Seattle.
In my review of the so-called "unofficial'' depth chart - a goofy characterization because this comes straight from the team, making it as "official'' as it's gonna get - I find 10 noteworthy revelations. To wit ...
1 - The battle between Shavon Revel Jr. and Cobie Durant has the former listed first as a starting corner opposite DaRon Bland ... but next to him is Durant, with the word "or'' separating them.
Translation? Revel has the slightest of leads in the race.
2 - The backup EDGE group has Sam Williams as an "or'' just ahead of Malachi Lawrence, the team’s second first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Fans of Marist Liufau will note that he's listed as the seventh or eight guy at the position.
3 - The competition behind Dak Prescott at QB2 between Joe Milton III and Sam Howell also includes an "or,'' with Milton being listed first.
4 - I reported this two weeks ago, on the first day of camp in Oxnard, but now it's pretty "official': Luke Schoonmaker isn't the backup to Jake Ferguson; Brevyn Spann-Ford is (way) ahead of him.
5 - Malik Davis is a deep backup, currently behind starter Javonte Williams and designated No. 2 guy Jaydon Blue, with Phil Mafah also in play.
6 - Rookie first-round pick Caleb Downs is listed as the backup punt returner to KaVontae Turpin. Is that worth the risk?
I've seen him fielding punts in training camp. And I've seen the tape of him doing it in games. But I don't think I need to see Dallas bother doing it at this level.
7 - Up top, the wide receiver position is set. But here come Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jonathan Mingo, trying to make their mark, each of them listed as a contender for a fifth wideout job.
Whichever of them can help on special teams might be the winner.
8 - TJ Bass is listed as the No. 2 center. He's a stalwart as the backup swing guard; maybe this is an experiment for the Seattle game?
9 - The Cowboys list Otito Obonnia as one of their three defensive tackle starters, alongside Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. That's pretty stout, and could be the "3'' in new coordinator Christian Parker's "3-4 Hybrid'' defense.
But ...
10 - The "Hybrid'' part is key. Dallas also lists five guys as starting DBs, and in the end, the depth chart identifies 12 starters.
Parker might be clever. But no, he's not that clever.
