One preseason win and one late roster shakeup have already changed the picture for the Dallas Cowboys.
After beating the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, Dallas is moving on to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 of the preseason, but the bigger development came Sunday night with the addition of Von Miller. That signing forces another look at how the Cowboys might sort out the 53-man roster before the regular season opener against the New York Giants.
At quarterback, the Joe Milton-Sam Howell competition still has room to breathe. The battle for QB2 is not settled, and if both keep stacking good practices and game reps, Dallas could even choose to keep all three passers.
The backfield projection gets tricky too. In this version, Phil Mafah is the surprise name left out, while Malik Davis holds onto the RB2 job behind Javonte Williams. Dallas could still decide to bring in another running back, but Davis has shown more than enough to be the stronger option for now.
Wide receiver is another spot where the numbers start to squeeze. Camden Brown has pushed his way onto the roster, and Jonathan Mingo’s strong showing - including a huge stop on special teams - at least opens the door to Dallas carrying six receivers.
Even so, there are not many other places the Cowboys can trim if they want to make that happen. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Anthony Smith, Traeshon Holden and Mingo are among the notable cuts in this projection.
Tight end brings another tough call, with Luke Schoonmaker on the outside looking in and UDFA Michael Trigg taking the spot instead.
The offensive line picture is more about depth and difficult choices than headline names. Dallas should feel good about the interior group, but the tackle situation still points toward outside help. Until that arrives, Nate Thomas and Drew Shelton are viewed as the best backup options behind the starters.
Miller’s arrival also changes the edge rush math. The Cowboys go with six outside linebackers here, which pushes Marist Liufau off the roster. It would be a hard cut, but Liufau was already something of a long shot after his position switch.
In the secondary, Caelen Carson is another notable casualty after a rough outing against Seattle. His exit opens the door for Julius Wood, who was dominant on Saturday and has done enough to force his way onto the 53.
Dallas can afford to stay light at corner because Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke all bring slot flexibility.
Even then, the Cowboys could still add another cornerback in free agency, which would alter the picture again.
Inside linebacker gets a boost from Justin Barron, who has been on fire since the joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams. His work against the Rams, followed by what he did against Seattle, is enough to lock him into a roster spot.
In Other News...
Von Miller Signing Had One Cowboys Legend Fired Up For A Reason
The Cowboys added another proven name to their pass rush by signing veteran edge rusher Von Miller to a one-year deal, a move that gives the defense a seasoned presence for obvious passing situations. At 37, Miller is no longer being asked to carry a weekly workload, but his track record and ability to help a young edge group make the signing a meaningful one for a team that has been looking for reliable help up front.
The reaction around the deal came quickly, and one familiar Cowboys figure was especially energized by what it meant. Millers history with DeMarcus Ware, including a Super Bowl run together, gives this move a little extra layer beyond the roster fit, and it also puts Miller on the doorstep of another notable place in the record book if he can still generate pressure the way Dallas believes he can. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Fringe Players Already Hurt Themselves In Dallas First Roster Battle
The Cowboys first preseason test did not do much to help the fringe part of the roster, and four players in particular left themselves with more work to do. DJ Rogers, Langston Patterson, Traeshon Holden and Caelen Carson all drew attention for the wrong reasons in Dallas opening roster battle, with the game film and player grades pointing to a rough start for a group trying to carve out a place on the 53-man roster.
Rogers and Holden both had moments that undercut any momentum they might have built, while Patterson and Carson were limited enough that they needed cleaner snaps than they got. In a camp where every rep matters, Dallas is already sorting through which backups can be trusted and which ones have dug an early hole, and the next few practices and preseason chances will tell the rest of the story. [Read more 🡒]
Von Miller Just Changed One Big Cowboys Depth Chart Question
The Cowboys have added another proven name to a defense that has already seen plenty of movement, signing Von Miller to bring even more veteran presence to a group that recently got a boost from the Quinnen Williams extension and other roster tweaks. Miller arrives with a rsum that includes eight Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl titles, giving Dallas a decorated edge presence for a unit that has been reshaping itself around established talent.
What makes the move especially interesting is how it clarifies one of the more important depth-chart questions up front. Miller is expected to fit into the Cowboys 3-4 defense as a situational pass rusher, which should let him complement the current outside linebackers rather than force a wholesale change in roles. The deal was finalized without the contract amount being disclosed, but the football fit is clear enough: Dallas is looking for impact snaps, experience and pressure in the moments that matter most. [Read more 🡒]