UPDATED Cowboys Depth Charts For 2026 NFL Season After The Draft | Dallas Cowboys News

Added: 2026-05-07

[00:00:00][music] >> Welcome back to the Cowboys report presented by PrizePicks. On today's show, we're going to break down where things sit for the Dallas Cowboys and their depth charts after the NFL draft, undrafted free agency, and a couple veterans getting signed. Of note, there are still two roster spots available as of filming for the Cowboys. We'll see how and when they fill them. If you want a full Cowboys 53-man roster projection in the coming days, show it by liking today's video. I don't see how we can't get to 1,000 likes at minimum on this piece.

[00:00:42]Let's begin in the quarterback room, and no changes here pre-draft, post-draft.

[00:00:46]Dak Prescott is quarterback one. There will be a battle between Joe Milton and Sam Howell for quarterback two. And I do think, by the way, some of the investments in more veteran wide receivers at the back end of the roster is to get a good evaluation of both of those backup QBs.

[00:01:04]Not much changing in the running back room. Javonte Williams back as the lead back. Malik Davis, Hunter Litkey, Jaden Blue back as the favorites to their respective 53-man roster spots. Phil Mafah also there after he spent most of the year on IR. Israel Abanikanda probably going to fight more for a practice squad spot than anything else, along with Dominique Richardson, who signed as an undrafted free agent.

[00:01:28]I want you guys to rate the Dallas Cowboys roster for me. 1 to 99 is the scale. We're going to treat it Madden style here. So, get those votes in for me. 1 to 99 is the scale here for the Dallas Cowboys roster.

[00:01:45]Let's go to the wide receiver room, and this is where we've had some movement going on. The top guys are all back.

[00:01:51]Lamb, Pollard, Turpin, Mingo. Jalen Tolbert is back. They drafted Anthony Smith. They also signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jalen Johnson. And that fifth and maybe sixth spot are very much up for grabs at this time, and I think there will be some pretty steep competition here. Mingo or a couple cast-off vets like MVS and Campbell and Johnson who haven't produced in years or other UDFAs like Jordan Hudson or Tre Sterling Holden or the seventh-round pick Anthony Smith. Look, vertical threat, speed and agility.

[00:02:24]Cowboys have a history of the players they draft make the 53-man roster. But, it's been the seventh-round picks in recent years that they haven't been as willing to guarantee a 53-man roster spot. Even, I would argue, missing some picks along the defensive line as much as you can miss a seventh-rounder when it's all said and done. So, Cowboys in a decent spot at wide receiver. Tight end also feels like it's in a good spot.

[00:02:53]Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Princeton Fant all return.

[00:02:58]And some competition being added. DJ Rogers from TCU and also Michael Trigg out of Baylor. The talent is there. You know, I spent time pre-draft like people asked about Trigg, I'm like, "Yeah, I think he's got fringe top of your talent." It's just like there's huge character concerns. And that is why he went undrafted. It is the only reason, really, he went undrafted. If he were squeaky clean off the field, he might have been in that day two tight end run for all we know cuz it got weird on day two. But, he's going to have to prove himself really off the field more than he proves himself on the field to at least begin things.

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[00:04:42]Offensive line depth chart, not a ton of changes here.

[00:04:45]You know, the top guys all return. The only potential new top I'd argue top eight guy, top nine guy is probably Drew Shelton, the Penn State rookie.

[00:04:54]Um a lot riding on the development of Tyler Smith though. When down the stretch last year when he was healthy, the end of his season, he was playing good football. And I think the offensive line missed him. That's why they were shuffling guys around, why they kicked Tyler Smith out of tackle cuz Nate Thomas was a huge issue.

[00:05:10]They're banking on him taking another step forward. In the meantime, they will try to develop Drew Shelton as well.

[00:05:16]Schottenheimer hinting at maybe he could play some guard for the Cowboys as well.

[00:05:20]I see some play strength issues that I do worry get amplified if you kick him inside to guard, but you know, a little bit higher investment than some of the Cowboys' recent offensive line picks like Asim Richards, like Nate Thomas.

[00:05:32]Maybe he could be a swing tackle for you sooner than later.

[00:05:36]I think this answer is obvious, right? But, before we get to the defense side of the ball, which side of the ball is better? O for offense, D for defense. Let me know in the comments section of today's show.

[00:05:49]Let's get to the interior of the defensive line. You'll see some five-man front stuff, but they'll do plenty of 4-2-5 looks as well. Quinton Williams, Kenny Clark obviously locked in at defensive tackle. That third DT up for grabs, the depth spot up for grabs.

[00:06:04]Could be Osa Odighizuwa, could be Jonathan Bullard. Jalen Tolbert is probably just going to be a backup to Kenny Clark.

[00:06:10]Maybe it's LT Overton. Cowboys spent a fourth-round pick on him. I think he can do inside-outside flexibility. I think he profiles far better as an interior player than he does on the outside.

[00:06:24]Outside linebacking room. Rashan Gary, Dorance Armstrong, DeMarcus Lawrence. I think a pretty clear-cut top three. Sam Williams probably your obvious fourth option. James Houston maybe edge five. I think he fits as like an undersized pass rusher. A lot of these guys are a bit bigger, better run stoppers than Houston are. Marshon Lattimore, Tyrus Wheat, Isaiah Land will all fight for spots as well. And I will make note you could see a scenario in which, especially with the way the roster is constructed, maybe they try a little bit more Marshon Lattimore at inside linebacker than previously planned. Maybe he's more of a hybrid player though. DeMarcus Lawrence, meanwhile, well, he's got great size off the edge.

[00:06:59]I think this was very clearly a Christian Parker draft pick. I think the the plan is to have Lawrence play a big role for this Cowboys organization. And if he doesn't, then you're feeling like you really missed on a pick cuz you spent a first-rounder on him after all.

[00:07:16]One more note here on Marshon Lattimore for you guys as well. He was way better in 2024.

[00:07:21]I do wonder if the move to edge had been like, "Yeah, we're you know, we're trying to find a spot for him cuz we don't know what where he's going to fit." I am curious does he get some more run at inside linebacker? Cuz the the numbers game favors you at inside linebacker right now. You have DeMarvion Overshown. You have D Winters. You have Jabril Cox. Shaquille Griffin is back.

[00:07:40]And then it's Curtis Robinson, Justin Barron, and Langston Patterson. That is a precariously thin group at the inside linebacker spot. Yes, there's more bodies there. They've added four over draft weekend, essentially.

[00:07:55]You almost wonder if you're a spot or two shy. I think D Winters is in line to play a pretty big role. He could even do some green dot responsibilities. I believe he did for the Niners when Fred Warner went down. Had 101 tackles last year, eight TFLs, local kid. Can do some blitzing, a bit more undersized, but that seems to be okay with Christian Parker as long as the brain works.

[00:08:14]Jabril Cox was an edge last year for Michigan, but has played off-ball linebacker as well. Cowboys seem to covet these position-flexible types, and Jabril Cox, much like Marshon Lattimore it seems, fits that mold.

[00:08:27]Assuming DeMarvion Overshown is one starter at inside linebacker, who do you think ends up being the other one? JB for Jabril Cox, DW for D Winters.

[00:08:38]Over to the cornerback group. DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, I think Coby Durant, maybe even D'Shawn Jamison will fight for early playing time on the outside. Jourdan Lewis though is going to be your nickel corner. He'll do a lot of different things. He will be a huge part of this Dallas Cowboys defense. I cannot underestimate or understate how excited I am about about Jourdan Lewis there in the nickel. Other guys, Bridges, Carson, Stewart, Kendrick Butler. There's only so many spots.

[00:09:07]There's a lot of bodies now in that cornerback room. They'll carry maybe six. I think Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Durant, D'Shawn Jamison are locked in.

[00:09:14]Maybe they could stretch it to seven.

[00:09:15]That's a lot of bodies for only a few spots barring injury.

[00:09:19]Safety-wise, Malik Hooker, Jayron Kearse. And maybe they maybe they carry seven corners and four safeties. I mean, you count Jourdan Lewis the hybrid player there. I think Juanyeh Thomas will be one of them, and then let's see if Marquese Bell can make the team. I don't know if he's fully guaranteed a spot, but I would lean towards him being on the on the team as well. Excited about Thompson.

[00:09:38]Cowboys, nickels and safeties was where they spent so much of their assets this year. Team after my own heart, finally.

[00:09:44]Nothing really new on special teams.

[00:09:46]It's Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg. I don't really see a lot of competition for KaVontae Turpin. Feels like he's locked and loaded unless one of these other receivers or running backs makes a surprise push for that role. Should be the same guys again this season. Aubrey's locked up long-term now. Anger's contract is winding down though.

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