Dallas Cowboys Roster Projection

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — True to his compete every day mantra, Brian Schottenheimer said there are going to be some changes to the depth chart after Saturday’s 31-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He specifically pointed to undrafted free agent wide receiver Traeshon Holden, the team’s leading receiver on Saturday, as someone who could be moving up.

“He shows up every day,” Schottenheimer said. “He really does. Every day, he makes a play.”

But will that be enough to make a play for the roster?

Spoiler alert: it’ll be tough for him. As for others, let’s dive into our second 53-man roster projection over here at The Dallas Morning News.

Quarterbacks (2)

Players: Dak Prescott, Joe Milton

Nothing has changed in this projection here, but the door has been opened to the Cowboys possibly keeping three quarterbacks. It seemed like Dallas was willing to give Milton the entire game against the Rams before he left in the fourth quarter with an elbow injury. Will Grier came in and played well, just as he did in the joint practice with the Rams when Milton left with a hand injury.

So far, the Cowboys have seemingly only given Grier snaps when Milton is unavailable.

If the Cowboys can trust Milton, then they might go with two quarterbacks — especially with needs elsewhere. If they can’t, then they may be forced to keep three quarterbacks.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton (10) throws deep to a receiver during the first half of a NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, California, August 9, 2025.

Tom Fox / Staff Photographer

Running backs (4)

Players: Javonte Williams, Hunter Luepke, Jaydon Blue, Miles Sanders

Like other positions, the Cowboys’ running back room is difficult to predict at the moment because of injuries. Jaydon Blue is dealing with an ankle injury. Miles Sanders has been dealing with a knee injury. Could that open the door for someone else? Rookie Phil Mafah made a good impression in the preseason game. So did Malik Davis, whom the Cowboys re-signed just 24 hours before Saturday’s preseason opener. Deuce Vaughn has had some nice moments, too, and history would tell us that could continue in the preseason.

Could one of them break through?

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden (7) goes high in the end zone to catch a touchdown pass against cornerback DaRon Bland (26) during a training camp practice in Oxnard, California, July 30, 2025.

Tom Fox / Staff Photographer

Wide receivers (5)

Players: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Tolbert

Here’s the first big surprise. In this projection, the Cowboys decide to go light at wide receiver. There are some reasons for it. I think Lamb and Pickens are going to play a lot (shocker). I think Turpin has taken a step as a receiver and could command more targets. I also think other positions need more ammunition in terms of personnel.

Mingo and Tolbert, because of their previous investment, should have the higher ground against others.

One other note: Tolbert hasn’t had the best offseason — especially with the upward trajectory he seemed to be on after last season. I wonder if the Cowboys could look to move him for draft capital or for a defensive tackle or corner.

Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy and Traeshon Holden are other receivers who could compete for a spot — especially if the Cowboys decide to keep six.

Tight ends (3)

Players: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford

The Cowboys seemed to evade an injury scare with Ferguson, who was hit hard in the back earlier this week and left practice. That’s good news, because considering how things have looked, they’re going to need a lot of Ferguson. Spann-Ford had a nice offseason but hasn’t returned since he hurt his ankle early in camp. Will he be ready to start the season? The Cowboys are still waiting for another step forward from Schoonmaker.

Could someone else push for a spot? Notably, John Stephens Jr. didn’t play in the preseason game on Saturday. Neither did Princeton Fant. Undrafted free agent Rivaldo Fairweather had a second-half touchdown catch.