The Cowboys are closing in on their 2026 regular season, and with one preseason game left, the roster picture is starting to sharpen. After a rough 2025, the buzz around this team has been that “this feels different,” and the final roster call is the last big piece of that puzzle.
At quarterback, the answer looks settled. Dak Prescott and Joe Milton are the two who make it.
Milton has taken control of the QB2 battle and wiped away the chatter that Sam Howell might pass him. He was never really on the bubble, but if his offseason had gone sideways, Dallas might have been pushed into keeping three quarterbacks.
Instead, the Cowboys can likely stick with two and try to get Howell back on the practice squad.
Running back is just as clear at the top. Javonte Williams remains the starter, and Malik Davis has emerged as the main backup after a strong offseason.
Davis may not be built to carry the offense, but he gives the Cowboys dependable depth. Jaydon Blue has been uneven at times, but he’s shown more steadiness lately, and his burst and receiving value out of the backfield should matter in 2026.
Hunter Luepke rounds out the group.
Wide receiver is where things get tricky. CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin are in.
The real debate is how many more Dallas keeps, because both Jonathan Mingo and Camden Brown have put together strong offseasons. Brown, especially, has helped himself every time he’s gotten a chance.
With Pickens’ future in Dallas still uncertain beyond 2026, carrying a young receiver like Brown makes plenty of sense. Right now, this looks like a five-or-six receiver decision, and Brown has made it hard to cut him.
Tight end is more straightforward. Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker are the projected three.
Michael Trigg had a chance to push for a spot, but a toe injury that kept him out of preseason game two has shifted him toward the practice squad. Schoonmaker has not fully lived up to his draft status since going in the second round in 2024, but his blocking keeps him in the mix.
Up front, the starting offensive line was never much of a mystery. Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker and Terence Steele are locked in.
The bigger issue is depth. Nate Thomas, Drew Shelton, TJ Bass and Nick Leverett are the projected backups, with Bass and Leverett both having solid summers.
The tackle depth, though, has been shaky. If Dallas can find a veteran through a trade or signing, Thomas could be the odd man out, but the league-wide demand for offensive line help makes upgrades hard to come by.
On the defensive line, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Otito Ogbonnia are lined up as the starting three, with LT Overton and Jonathan Bullard filling out the group. Tommy Dunn is the tough omission here, since he’s had a strong offseason and would be on the roster over Bullard if everything were equal.
Still, Overton has flashed enough in camp and preseason to earn a role as a rotational piece with upside. The group is expected to play a major part in first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s defense.
The edge group has its own close call. Rashaan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence and James Houston are in, and Marist Liufau gets the final nod over Sam Williams. Williams has looked better as camp and preseason have gone on, but Liufau’s special teams value and his ability to slide in at linebacker if needed give him the edge.
At linebacker, the projection is DeMarvion Overshown, Jaishawn Barham, Dee Winters, Shemar James and Curtis Robinson. If Dallas wanted to keep Tommy Dunn and lean lighter here, that would be an option. But after how rough last year was at linebacker, keeping Robinson - who has starting experience and special teams value - may be the safer choice.
The cornerback room looks far stronger than it did a year ago. DaRon Bland is healthy again, Shavon Revel Jr. has had an excellent offseason, and Cobie Durant brings versatility and play-making ability.
Devin Moore is also projected to make it, even after missing time with injury and having a rough first NFL offseason. Ameer Speed has turned heads in camp and preseason as well.
Caleb Downs is expected to spend a lot of time in the slot, but the room overall feels much deeper and more complete.
Safety may be the other spot where Dallas can feel good. Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker, P.J.
Locke and Markquese Bell are the five here. Downs will move around plenty, including work at nickel corner, but he’ll also see time at traditional safety.
Thompson and Locke bring the kind of versatility and football IQ that can stabilize the back end.
The full 53 is still a prediction, but the shape of this roster is coming into focus fast. Dallas has some real battles left, yet the core is starting to look like a team trying to turn the page for good.
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