53 Man Roster Projection: 2020 Dallas Cowboys

This Saturday will be the deadline for the Dallas Cowboys to select their 53 man roster. 2020 will be different from previous years because new rules permit the team to expand it’s roster to 55 players on game days. This will be accomplished by allowing teams to temporarily bring up from their practice squad which will now be expanded from 12 to 16 due to the pandemic. That is not the only major difference for 2020. The biggest change as far as Cowboys fans are concerned is that there is a new coaching staff in place and the old familiar favorites are no longer a lock to make the team. The following is a prediction of the Dallas Cowboys 53 man roster in Mike McCarthy’s inaugural season.

QUARTERBACK (3)

There should be no major surprises here. I expect the team to carry 3 quarterbacks in order to include Ben DiNucci who was drafted out of James Madison and appears to be a pet cat of Mike McCarthy.

1. 1. Dak Prescott
2. Andy Dalton
3. Ben DiNucci R

RUNNING BACK (3)

One major change I expect for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys roster selection is that they will not have a true fullback. Jamize Olawale opted out this season and his main role last season was on special teams. Mike McCarthy does have a history of using fullbacks in the past so Sewi Olonilua could be selected to the roster. Many however believe that the Cowboys will instead employ their tight ends as H-backs which is more of a hybrid tight end/fullback. If the Dallas Cowboys do keep 3 backs the choice will likely be between Rico Dowdle and Darius Anderson. Potential contribution on special teams may be the deciding factor there.

1. 4. Ezekiel Elliott (4)
2. 5. Tony Pollard (5)
3. 6. Rico Dowdle R (6)

WIDE RECEIVER (6)

At the wide receiver position, the three starters Cooper, Gallup, and Lamb are among the leagues best. Beyond that, there is a fierce competition for the remaining spots. Cedrick Wilson leads the way thanks in part to his special teams value as a returner. Ventell Bryant is another player with special teams value. Noah Brown is apparently having a strong camp and Devin Smith and Jon’Vea Johnson are also in the mix. The big question is, how many WR’s will the Dallas Cowboys carry on the 53 man roster?

1. Amari Cooper (7)
2. Michael Gallup (8)
3. CeeDee Lamb R (9)
4. Cedrick Wilson (10)
5. Noah Brown (11)
6. Devin Smith (12)

TIGHT END (3)

The young developing tight ends on the Dallas Cowboys roster will no longer be held back by the legendary Jason Witten. Blake Jarwin is expected to have a break out season in the starting role. As mentioned previously, the tight ends may be used in the H-Back position this year. Hopefully, the new coaching staff will emphasize the role of the young tight ends in the passing game as no doubt teams will focus on Ezekiel Elliott and the big three wide receivers.

1. Blake Jarwin (13)
2. Blake Bell (14)
3. Dalton Shultz (15)

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

The Dallas Cowboys could go heavy at offensive line carrying as many as 10 on the active roster. Their offensive line is still one of the leagues best despite losing Travis Frederick to retirement. The depth is there on the interior but at offensive tackle the same is not true.

1. Tyron Smith (16)
2. Connor Williams (17)
3. Joe Looney (18)
4. Zack Martin (19)
5. La’el Collins (20)
6. Cam Erving (21)
7. Brandon Knight (22)
8. Connor McGovern (23)
9. Tyler Biadasz R (24)

DEFENSIVE LINE (10)

Defensive line is another position that the Dallas Cowboys could go heavy on. DE Randy Gregory is still awaiting reinstatement while DT Gerald McCoy was released following a season ending quad injury. That allows an opportunity for some of the up and coming young players to make the team. I believe the new coaching staff will favor the younger players they signed and drafted such as Bradlee Anae and Ron’Dell Carter over Joe Jackson and one of my potential under the radar breakout players Dorance Armstrong.

1. DeMarcus Lawrence (25)
2. Antwaun Woods (26)
3. Dontari Poe (27)
4. Everson Griffen (28)
5. Aldon Smith (29)
6. Tyrone Crawford (30)
7. Trysten Hill (31)
8. Neville Gallimore R (32)
9. Bradlee Anae R (33)
10. Ron’Dell Carter R(34)

LINEBACKER (6)

A bounce back season for both Jaylon Smith (ironic because he actually made the Pro-Bowl last season) and Leighton Vander Esch is expected by many Cowboys fans. There is also some buzz surrounding young hopefuls Luke Gifford and Francis Bernard. Justin March (formerly March-Lillard) could become expendable to make room for one of or both of those guys.

1. Jaylon Smith (35)
2. Leighton Vander Esch (36)
3. Sean Lee (37)
4. Joe Thomas (38)
5. Luke Gifford (39)
6. Francis Bernard (40)

DEFENSIVE BACK (10)

I expect that the Dallas Cowboys will got deep in the secondary and will emphasize players with position versatility. Particularly, guys that can potentially rotate from safety and cornerback. The loss of Byron Jones in free agency was big but the depth at the back end of the defense is the best it has been in years.

1. Chidobe Awuzie (41)
2. Anthony Brown (42)
3. Jourdan Lewis (43)
4. Trevon Diggs R (44)
5. Darly Worley (45)
6. Reggie Robinson II R (46)
7. Xavier Woods (47)
8. Darian Thompson (48)
9. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (49)
10. Donovan Wilson (50)

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

Following the release of kicker Kai Forbath, Greg Zeurlein is now without a doubt the starter. Punter Chris Jones will return much to the dismay of his critics. I do believe Jones struggles the past two seasons were a result of poor overall special teams and injuries. New special teams coach Jon Fassel could be the remedy. Also returning is 39 year old Canadian long snapper L.P Ladouceur.

1. Greg Zuerlein (51)
2. Chris Jones (52)
3. L.P Ladouceur (53)

PRACTICE SQUAUD

1. Clayton Thorson (QB)
2. Darius Anderson (RB)
3. Sewi Olonilua (FB)
4. Ventell Bryant (WR)
5. Jon’Vea Johnson (WR)
6. Cole Hikutini (TE)
7. Mitch Hyatt (OL)
8. Adam Redmond (OL)
9. Isaac Alarcon (OL)
10. Dorance Armstrong (DL)
11. Joe Jackson (DL)
12. LaDarius Hamilton (LB)
13. Justin March (LB)
14. C.J Goodwin (CB)
15. Chris Westry (CB)
16. Deonte Burton (CB)

Keep in mind, it is very likely that the Dallas Cowboys could add some players prior to the deadline to finalize their 53 man roster. It is also important to consider that amid the pandemic, the amount of movement compared to previous years should be limited. Hopefully this Dallas Cowboys 53 man roster is the nucleus that will lead the team to their ultimate goal.

*Photo by Chris Hunkeler https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode