Cowboys 53-Man Roster Prediction: 3 Major Changes After Von Miller Signing

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys signed veteran pass rusher Von Miller to bolster their defense, yet another move this offseason that has prioritized that side of the ball.

It's because of that activity - like owner and general manager Jerry Jones spending in the trade market (Rashan Gary), in free agency (Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant), in the NFL Draft (first-rounders Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence) and in-house (Quinnen Williams, George Pickens, Tyler Smith, Brandon Aubrey and more) - that people are excited about this team's possibilities.

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Pair that with new coordinator and play-caller Christian Parker - who has already helped his cause with a fine showing in the preseason-opening win at Seattle - and anything might be possible.

But even with the defensive turnover and a nearly identical offensive unit to 2025, there remains some competition at training camp to decide final spots on the roster in select areas.

And we see at least three major changes from the last time we engaged in this exercise.

Dallas has issued a "we're not done'' decree when it comes to roster-building; we don't think the Cowboys are blowing smoke there.

But for now ...

Here's a look at those who are in and those who have work to do in our prediction of the 53-man roster if coach Brian Schottenheimer was tasked with making these cuts today.

Quarterback: Dak Prescott, Sam Howell

Through the Cowboys' first preseason game, the backup QB position battle ramped up with Howell and Joe Milton each impressing. Howell comes with loads more starting experience, so he's likely to have an edge.

But just a tiny one, pending two more preseason games of evaluation.

As promising as this team can be, things do still weigh heavily on Prescott's health. In his place, the Cowboys are going to need experience in order to have a shot at staying competitive.

The idea here would be that Dallas cuts its third QB, hopes he doesn't get claimed, and then brings him back to the practice squad.

Running Back: Javonte Williams, Hunter Luepke (FB), Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue

Davis continues to out-produce Blue and Phil Mafah when it counts most, and among the youngsters, we pick Dallas to choose Blue's upside as a speedy helper and pass-catcher over Mafah's physicality, which is more consistent with Williams' style.

Overall, Mafah - who is dealing with a chest injury - is lagging behind Blue, and certainly behind Davis for the top depth spot. Davis earned respect last season, and he's shown enough consistency to warrant that belief again.

Blue did not participate in the Cowboys' joint practice with the New Orleans Saints. Perhaps this is Mafah's chance to prove himself if Blue is inactive for the next preseason game at Arizona.

But again, Mafah is banged up. Maybe Dallas finds a way to injury-stash him?

Wide Receiver: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Camden Brown

There's likely just one spot to spare in this group, and it's a competition between two players. Brown gets the final nod after a stellar camp and a two-touchdown performance in his debut at Seattle.

This can obviously change if Jonathan Mingo (or Marquez Valdes-Scantling) responds with a breakout of his own, but Brown is the leader for the final spot and hasn't given the Cowboys many reasons for that to change.

Tight End: Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Michael Trigg, Luke Schoonmaker

Frankly, Dallas could've spent much of this offseason content with rostering just three tight ends. Adding stability with Miller on the defensive line may eliminate the need for extra pass-rush depth, allowing a spot for former second-rounder Schoonmaker despite the start of another quiet year.

So far in preseason, Trigg is ahead of him for the role backing up Ferguson as a pass-catcher. Also, the Baylor product was given the most guaranteed money of any Cowboys undrafted free agent. That's got to count as evidence of the front office's desires.

Questions remain, though: Do they really need four tight ends? Would they really put the UDFA rookie Trigg in a real game at this early stage? What's the chances they simply cut a former second-round pick in "Schoony'' who is playing on a cheap guaranteed deal?

Offensive Line: Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Ajani Cornelius, Drew Shelton, Trevor Keegan, Nate Thomas.

Our first hot take of the prediction: Nate Thomas is currently on the outside looking in. But yes, there's time for the once second-stringer to make up for himself and take a spot. It will be interesting to see if Thomas gets to start again in the preseason after getting benched before the end of the first quarter in the opener.

Depth here, especially at the tackle spots, is clearly the offense's weakest link. Guyton and Steele staying healthy - which improves their chances of getting better - is the Cowboys' biggest wish for this season.

EDGE: Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, James Houston

Houston has outperformed Sam Williams and Marist Liufau for the final outside linebacker spot, and Miller's inclusion blurs the opportunities for others further down the line. We'd like to think the Cowboys still have confidence in Williams' potential under Parker's scheme, but he can't afford to go through preseason games quietly.

Another debate: Will Luepke sell Miller his No. 40 jersey?

Tackle: Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, LT Overton, Jay Toia

Reserve veteran Johnathan Bullard is dealing with injuries, which is unfortunate for his case to make the 53 at the moment. Even healthy, the Cowboys could go the younger route, anyway.

Toia has brought run-stuffing promise as an immediate option behind Clark and Ogbonnia when not many others have, and Overton's versatility will enable him to be tested as a rookie in various alignments. That versatility can be beneficial in this rotation if he is taken under Williams' wing to learn from the All-Pro.

Linebacker: DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James, Justin Barron

The Cowboys' overhaul here feels significant largely because Overshown enters the season fully healthy. Barham's rookie investment will carry weight in this rotation, and Winters trade acquisition will be significant as well.

Barron's consistency through the workouts (including three interceptions against the Rams) has given him a slight edge over Curtis Robinson, and second-year backer James looks to build on a solid rookie season in 2025.

Cornerback: DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel Jr., Devin Moore, Caelen Carson

Carson's series of penalties in the first preseason game forces him to tighten things up in a hurry to stay in contention for a spot, but the former fifth-rounder is regaining full strength after a previous injury and has "traits" that Jerry Jones and company tend to give the benefit of the doubt to.

Safety: Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker, Caleb Downs, P.J. Locke, Julius Wood

With a lot of change in this room, we can see Dallas sticking it out with a veteran presence in Markquese Bell, but it's certainly no guarantee with how younger players like Julius Wood and Alijah Clark have produced in their fight to make the roster.

Conversely, Parker's youth movement could be in play (hurting Bell) as the Cowboys think about building around Downs.

K: Brandon Aubrey

P: Bryan Anger

LS: Trent Sieg

KR/PR: KaVontae Turpin

Sieg could get cut with the plan to bring him back. But otherwise? These players aren't to blame for the Cowboys' shortcomings on special teams ... so long as Turpin is back deep and doing his job properly, like the Pro Bowl returner must this fall to justify his continued presence on the roster.