Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Joe Milton III (front) and Sam Howell (back) throw passes during a training camp practice on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
ARLINGTON — The Cowboys kept 33 players out of uniform Friday against the Saints, meaning more than half of the team’s eventual 53-man roster had already been decided. Take away the three specialists who were in uniform and that meant 17 roster spots were up for grabs.
Who did enough to make the team? Here’s our final roster projection before Sunday’s deadline.
Quarterback (3)
Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Joe Milton III (10) and Sam Howell (16) high five during a training camp practice on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Dak Prescott, Joe Milton III, Sam Howell
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Briefly: The race for the backup quarterback was expected to be a tight one from the very beginning. It might be too close to call, which is why we have the Cowboys keeping three quarterbacks. The one caveat to this projection: Howell is a vested veteran, so maybe they work out a deal to bring him back after they release him. But is that worth the risk in a league that’s always looking for reliable backup quarterbacks?
Running back (4)
Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, Hunter Luepke
Notable cuts: Phil Mafah, Israel Abanikanda
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Briefly: Malik Davis was the big winner of training camp. Ironically, it brought him back to the place he ended last season: as the team’s backup running back. The Cowboys sat Blue on Friday and gave a lot of carries to Mafah, making it seem like there’s an edge to the former there. Mafah would be a welcome practice squad addition.
Wide receiver (6)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Camden Brown (6) celebrates a touchdown catch with wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (81) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Seattle.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Camden Brown
Notable cuts: Anthony Smith, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
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Briefly: The Cowboys sat Mingo on Friday, likely sealing him as the winner of the fifth wide receiver race. But could they keep six receivers? Brown certainly made an argument for it this preseason. He had another nice catch on Friday from Milton. Only three receivers have been claimed the last three years across the league on cutdown day, however. Could the Cowboys take the risk and try and sneak him back through waivers?
Tight end (3)
Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
Notable cuts: Michael Trigg, D.J. Rogers
Briefly: Trigg showed some encouraging things this training camp. I think he’s someone they would like to develop if they can get him back on the practice squad. Rogers could, too.
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Offensive line (9)
Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Nate Thomas, Drew Shelton, Nick Leverett
Notable cuts: Trevor Keegan, Ajani Cornelius
Briefly: This is not an easy position to forecast. The top six offensive linemen are settled, if you include Bass. Outside of that, there are a lot of questions. Schottenheimer wanted to see Shelton and Thomas, working at both left tackle and right tackle this off-season, grow. It’s hard to say that they reached the proper growth level. Leverett, Keegan and Cornelius could all make the team, but we give the nod to Leverett, who broke down the team before Friday’s game. This is a position that could welcome some outside additions. Cornelius could be a potential injured reserve player that the Cowboys bring back later.
Interior defensive line (5)
Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, L.T. Overton, Jonathan Bullard
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Notable cuts: Jay Toia, Tommy Dunn, D.J. Withers
Briefly: We barely saw Bullard during training camp and in the preseason, but the veteran gets the final interior defensive line spot here. Toia and Dunn, in particular, played well in the final two preseason games. Both could warrant practice squad additions, as well as Withers.
Outside linebacker/Edge (5)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sam Williams (54) celebrates a sack with Marist Liufau (35) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, James Houston
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Notable cuts: Marist Liufau, Sam Williams, Tyrus Wheat
Briefly: We had Liufau making the team until he suffered a wrist injury that knocked him out of Friday’s game. If it’s bad enough, could he end up on injured reserve? That would open a spot for Houston, who’s in contention for a roster spot regardless. Williams played deep in the fourth quarter, likely signaling his release.
Inside linebacker (5)
DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James, Curtis Robinson
Notable cuts: Justin Barron
Briefly: The emergence of Barham makes this position look a lot steadier than it did when training camp began. Robinson brings green-dot experience, special teams ability and veteran presence to the position.
Secondary (10)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs (13) slaps hands with fans as the team leaves the locker room before the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel Jr., Devin Moore, Caleb Downs, Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell, Reddy Steward
Notable cuts: Derion Kendrick, Julius Wood, Alijah Clark
Briefly: This is one heck of a versatile group. Which is why we give the final roster spot to Steward, who has nickel experience and learned safety this off-season. Wood and Clark are two guys that could make the roster, as well.
Special teams (3)
Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
Briefly: Cowboys keep the trio together again.