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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer (left) and game management coordinator Ryan Feder look on as the team stretches during a training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.<\/p>\n
Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Dallas Cowboys<\/a>‘ roster in 2026 is better than it was in 2025.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not an overstatement. It\u2019s not even breaking news.<\/p>\n It\u2019s based on the talent assembled this offseason and what transpired when the team finalized its 53-man roster Sunday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Coach Brian\u00a0Schottenheimer believes this roster is improved. He would know, considering he was the head man during last year\u2019s 7-9-1 slop of a year when the defense embarrassed the brand.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t say that this year, at least on paper. The Cowboys have nine new starters on defense.<\/p>\n The team was depending on the projected defensive starters for the 2025 season opener for its future. Most are no longer with the team.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gone is edge rusher Sam Williams, part of the cuts Sunday<\/a>. Also gone is cornerback Trevon Diggs. He was released Sunday by Seattle but could end up on the Seahawks’ practice squad. Safety\u00a0Donovan Wilson is also gone. He\u2019s currently unemployed. Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa was traded<\/a>. The defensive coordinator also was let go after one year.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related: Cowboys 53-man roster analysis: Dallas keeps 3 QBs, cuts a notable veteran and more<\/a><\/p>\n With his eyes on quarterback Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Von Miller (40) slides to the center during an open training camp practice play at The Star in Frisco, August 25, 2026.<\/p>\n Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Edge rusher\u00a0Von Miller is here<\/a>. His signing eventually pushed Williams out the door. A trade at the deadline last year brought defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, considered one of the top defensive tackles in the game. He\u2019s paired with Kenny Clark, who came here thanks to the Micah Parsons trade.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Cowboys also drafted well in the first round. They selected safety Caleb Downs with one of their two first-round selections. He\u2019s a Week 1 starter who is expected to have a major impact.<\/p>\n Cobie Durant, a free agent signing, is projected to start at corner opposite DaRon Bland. With Diggs gone, things are a lot quieter at The Star.<\/p>\n No worries about knee issues or whether televisions are going to land on somebody\u2019s head<\/a>.<\/p>\n The linebacker position, a revolving door of madness, is now about players making plays on the ball.\u00a0DeMarvion Overshown, healthy again, is the middle linebacker. There is also rising rookie Jaishawn Barham, a physical presence who is getting better<\/a>. The Cowboys also acquired veteran\u00a0Dee Winters in the offseason to pair with Overshown<\/a>.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n It seems stability is back with this defense.<\/p>\n But the Cowboys made some statements.<\/p>\n The concerns about finding a swing tackle were answered when the Cowboys traded two draft picks to the Steelers for Broderick Jones, a former first-round pick<\/a>. If one of their starting tackles struggle\u00a0\u2014 and\u00a0Schottenheimer has mentioned Terence Steele<\/a> and Tyler Guyton in camp\u00a0\u2014 Jones can slide in.\u00a0<\/p>\n The two running backs drafted last year, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, were released. Malik Davis earned the No. 2 job.\u00a0Blue and\u00a0Mafah could return to the practice squad.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Camden Brown comes up just short of the end zone on a 70-yard reception during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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