The final 53. The deadline to trim NFL rosters to 53 players is 3 p.m. Tuesday, and even after that deadline, there will be many more moving parts. Here is Calvin Watkins’ final roster projection for the Dallas Cowboys:
Quarterback (2)
Dak Prescott
Garrett Gilbert
Comment: We went back and forth on this. The last time we did a roster projection, Cooper Rush was our man at QB2. Now it’s Gilbert, which tells us neither are good enough to back up Prescott. Is there someone else out there? If the Bears let Nick Foles go, is he worth signing? Should the Cowboys trade for Foles for a fifth- or sixth-round pick? The Jaguars got a conditional sixth-rounder from the Eagles for Gardner Minshew II.
Running back (4)
Ezekiel Elliott
JaQuan Hardy
Tony Pollard
FB Nick Ralston
Comment: Elliott and Pollard need to stay healthy. If you think the talent level drops at quarterback if Prescott goes down … oh, boy. Hardy makes it simply because he’s slightly better than Brenden Knox. There could be a better running back on the market once the cuts come down across the league. The fullback Ralston has done enough to make the 53.
Wide receiver (5)
Noah Brown
Amari Cooper
Michael Gallup
CeeDee Lamb
Cedrick Wilson
Comment: A strong group, with so much talent. It’s one of the best on the team. Cooper, Lamb and Gallup could start for any team in the NFL. Malik Turner’s late return from an ankle injury gives us some pause whether to include him here, but he might be practice squad bound. We liked Johnnie Dixon, and fifth-round pick Simi Fehoko showed flashes. Fehoko needs to learn how to block, especially if he’s going to play special teams. Both Fehoko and Dixon are destined for the practice squad.
Tight ends (4)
Blake Jarwin
Sean McKeon
Dalton Schultz
Jeremy Sprinkle
Comment: McKeon (high ankle sprain) is headed to Injured Reserve/Returnable, so his place on the 53 is a temporary measure. Sprinkle beats out Artayvious Lynn and Nick Eubanks. Sprinkle’s size (6-5, 257 pounds) is something he can utilize on passing downs. His blocking needs to improve, particularly on special teams.
Offensive line (9)
T Josh Ball
C Tyler Biadasz
T La’el Collins
G Zack Martin
G Connor McGovern
T Ty Nsekhe
T Tyron Smith
T Terence Steele
G Connor Williams
Comment: We initially had Brandon Knight making this team, then changed our mind with the realization that Josh Ball (ankle) is a young tackle whom the Cowboys will place on IR/returnable. Knight can return to the 53 when the Ball move is complete. The Cowboys will go heavy at tackle given the recent injury history of Smith and Collins.
Defensive line (10)
DE Bradlee Anae
DE Dorance Armstrong
DE Tarell Basham
DT Quinton Bohanna
DT Neville Gallimore
DE Randy Gregory
DE DeMarcus Lawrence
DT Osa Odighizuwa
DE Brent Urban
DE Carlos Watkins
Comment: Injuries forced some changes here. Trysten Hill (knee) and Chauncey Golston (hamstring) will start the season on the PUP list and will be gone for at least six weeks, so they won’t count on the 53. Gallimore (elbow) will be on IR/returnable. He displayed some toughness and a consistent push of the pocket. Justin Hamilton, who will be cut, might return in some aspect. We also believe the Cowboys will seek a veteran defensive lineman. So this group will see change after Tuesday.
Linebackers (5)
Jabril Cox
Keanu Neal
Micah Parsons
Jaylon Smith
Leighton Vander Esch
Comment: A tight group that loses two special teams players in Francis Bernard and Luke Gifford. With the roster changes along the defensive line, it could open the door for Gifford to return to the 53 after being cut. Cox, a fourth-round pick, needs more seasoning. So his development is worth watching during the year.
Defensive backs (11)
CB Anthony Brown
CB Trevon Diggs
CB C.J. Goodwin
CB Kelvin Joseph
S Malik Hooker
S Damontae Kazee
S Jayron Kearse
CB Jourdan Lewis
S Israel Mukuamu
S Donovan Wilson
CB Nahshon Wright
Comment: Hang on, here. Why did we let Maurice Canady go? He had such a fast start in training camp but slowed down once everyone returned to Texas. We’re keeping five safeties. Mukuamu, a sixth-round selection, shows good ball skills and is someone to keep around for the future. Hooker makes the team, according to the GM side of Jerry Jones. He could play special teams eventually, which is fine. He also is someone who might be cut only to be brought back on Wednesday. Could Darian Thompson earn a spot because of special teams?
Specialist (3)
P Bryan Anger
LS Jake McQuaide
K Greg Zuerlein
Comment: Zuerlein is healthy now, attempting field goals in practice and once in the preseason finale, after his recovery from back surgery. He’s still worth watching as the season progresses. Anger, the punter, too. This might be a revolving duo if injuries and ineffective play are in the future.
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