OXNARD, Calif. -- The Dallas Cowboys open the 2026 NFL regular season at the New York Giants on Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium. But first, they play one more preseason game (Friday against the New Orleans Saints) and then must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
Despite a productive training camp, the Cowboys have some questions about depth at cornerback, linebacker and running back. The backup quarterback job between Sam Howell and Joe Milton III remains up for grabs, too, and might make them keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.
Here is our final projection for the 53-man roster for the Cowboys.
Quarterbacks (3)
Dak Prescott, Sam Howell, Joe Milton III
Maybe in a perfect world the Cowboys would rather go with two quarterbacks, but Milton and Howell have fared well and if quarterback is the most important spot on the team, then maybe it's wise to keep three.
Running backs (4)
Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, Hunter Luepke
Davis didn't enter camp as the No. 2 running back despite his work last season, but he earned it this summer. Blue's playmaking gives him the final nod over Phil Mafah and Israel Abinkanda, both of whom could be on the practice squad.
Wide receivers (6)
CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Camden Brown
The top four have been a given. The last two have been in a state of flux. Brown, undrafted out of Georgia Southern, was able to take to the game what he did in practice. Mingo has earned his way into the mix with a solid summer performance.
Tight ends (3)
Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
No movement in this group other than Spann-Ford being the backup to Ferguson over Schoonmaker, a 2023 second-round pick. But the Cowboys will use all three in games.
Offensive linemen (9)
Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Nate Thomas, Drew Shelton, Nick Leverett
Guyton has locked down the left tackle spot with a good camp. The depth beyond Bass is a question. Thomas looks like the swing tackle for now, but he has lacked consistency. Like a lot of teams, look for the Cowboys to be active in potentially filling their last couple of spots here.
Defensive linemen (5)
Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, LT Overton
This might be the deepest the Cowboys have been at defensive tackle in years. All five can play, but Bullard has been out of practice for a couple of weeks with a soft-tissue injury. Ogbonnia has been a pleasant surprise.
Outside linebackers (6)
Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence, Marist Liufau, James Houston
The arrival of Miller brought the last spot down to Liufau, Houston and Sam Williams. Liufau is the better special-teamer and has worked a lot with the first group. Houston has a knack for finding the quarterback, so he gets the edge over Williams.
Inside linebackers (4)
DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James
Overshown won't be able to answer the durability question until he actually plays a lot, but he has seemed like a good fit in Christian Parker's scheme. Winters has come on late in camp. Barham's development was slowed a little by a groin injury, but they have a role for him. It was tough to leave Justin Barron off the list.
Cornerbacks (5)
DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel Jr., Veteran not on roster, Devin Moore
Depth is a worry beyond the top three. While Revel has had an excellent camp, he has to show he can do it in the regular season. The fourth corner might not be on the roster at the moment. Adding a veteran free agent or making a small trade for one is not out of the question.
Safeties (5)
Jalen Thompson, Caleb Downs, Malik Hooker, P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell
Like defensive tackle, the Cowboys like their depth. Maybe a team needing safety help would swing a deal for Bell, but he can be a core special-teamer. Tough calls on Alijah Clark and Julius Wood.
Special teams (3)
Brandon Aubrey (K), Bryan Anger (P), Trent Sieg (LS)
The Cowboys believe they have one of the NFL's best trios.
