The Cowboys will have a bunch of new faces on the roster this season—headlined by George Pickens and rookie Tyler Booker on offense.
Quarterback (2)
Dak Prescott, Joe Milton III
The Cowboys might have room to keep three quarterbacks if they so choose, but Will Grier is more likely to end up on the practice squad again with Joe Milton III acquired as the new backup for Dak Prescott.
Running back (4)
Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue (R), Miles Sanders, Hunter Luepke
We can expect a full-blown backfield committee for Dallas in 2025, and keeping a fourth running back—between Deuce Vaughn and undrafted rookie Phil Mafah—is very possible. Either way, Javonte Williams is projected to lead the room with fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue being a tremendous receiving option who possesses big-play ability for an offense that will be leaning on the passing game.
Wide receiver (5)
CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Tolbert
The depth chart at wide receiver looks a lot better than it did last week, and the trade for George Pickens—at a relatively modest price based solely on the talent—has the Cowboys going from shaky behind CeeDee Lamb to having one of the NFL’s top duos. KaVontae Turpin will continue to handle manufactured touches, and the arrival of Pickens puts less pressure on Jonathan Mingo and Jalen Tolbert. Parris Campbell, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy, and undrafted rookie Traeshon Holden are the other names to watch.
Tight end (3)
Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford
The final spot at tight end will probably come down to Brevyn Spann-Ford and Princeton Fant, and the former after he cracked the roster as an undrafted rookie last summer.
Offensive tackle (4)
Tyler Guyton, Terence Steele, Ajani Cornelius (R), Hakeem Adeniji
Offensive tackle could be a weakness for Dallas if Tyler Guyton doesn’t take a step up in Year 2 and Terence Steele doesn’t do better in pass protection than he did last season. Behind them, sixth-rounder Ajani Cornelius is a developmental option, and his competition for one or two spots will be veteran signing Hakeem Adeniji and 24-year-old Asim Richards.
Interior offensive line (6)
Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker (R), Robert Jones, Brock Hoffman, Saahdiq Charles
The selection of Tyler Booker at No. 12 overall to join Tyler Smith and Cooper Beebe on the interior has the Cowboys strong up the middle—potentially for years to come—despite the retirement of future Hall of Fame right guard Zack Martin. The second unit also looks promising with Robert Jones signed from the Dolphins and former Washington starter Saahdiq Charles coming out of retirement.
Defensive tackle (5)
Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Solomon Thomas, Jay Toia (R), Tommy Akingbesote (R)
Matt Eberflus is the new defensive coordinator in Chicago and had an interesting tenure there (No. 1-ranked run defense in 2023; bottom-five unit in his other two seasons), and he’ll be tasked with getting the most out of former first-rounder Mazi Smith to pair with the extended Osa Odighizuwa. Behind them, we could see a couple of Day 3 rookies in Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote both make the roster, and Justin Rogers will try to prevent that from being the case.
Defensive end (6)
Micah Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ekeiruaku (R), Dante Fowler Jr., Sam Williams, Payton Turner
There will be no shortage of options behind Micah Parsons on the edge this season, and the question here is if Dallas will keep a sixth defensive end. Former No. 28 overall pick Payton Turner was a disappointment in New Orleans, but he’ll be tough to cut if focused and healthy in training camp.
Linebacker (5)
Kenneth Murray Jr., Marist Liufau, Damone Clark, Shemar James (R), Jack Sanborn
Emerging star DeMarvion Overshown suffering a brutal knee injury in December will have the Cowboys leaning on others to begin the season, and roles might be up for grabs more than roster spots with the five listed names seeming close to locks. Perhaps a trade of Damone Clark is something that could change the outlook at the position.
Cornerback (5)
DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel Jr. (R), Kaiir Elam, Caelen Carson, Andrew Booth Jr.
Trevon Diggs is another standout defender set to be out for Week 1, and Dallas essentially has a bunch of lottery tickets that will battle it out to start across from DaRon Bland early in the season. All of Shavon Revel Jr., Kaiir Elam, Caelen Carson, and Andrew Booth Jr. are clearly better fits outside than in the slot, but Matt Eberflus made it work with Kyler Gordon as a bigger option in Chicago—so it’ll be an interesting storyline to follow this summer.
Safety (5)
Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Israel Mukuamu, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell
One intriguing option on the inside is Israel Mukuamu, and in general, the Cowboys are in good shape at safety with Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson back as the starters. Markquese Bell was much less involved in 2024 than 2023, so maybe a new defensive staff will allow him to not only crack the roster, but also have a role—potentially factoring in at linebacker as well.
Special teams (3)
Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
The only possible change Dallas will make on special teams this season is giving a record-breaking extension Brandon Aubrey. If not, he’ll enter 2025 on the final year of his deal.
Players not available for Week 1 (2)
LB DeMarvion Overshown, CB Trevon Diggs