With the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints on the horizon and the deadline to cut the roster to 53 players looming on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, the Dallas Cowboys‘ coaching staff faces some incredibly difficult decisions.
While the starting lineup is largely set, the battle for the final spots on the roster has created a volatile ‘stock market’ of its own, with some players seeing their value skyrocket and others watching it plummet. So here is a look at the Cowboys’ 53-man roster bubble, highlighting who is surging and who is slumping before the final cuts.
Quarterback: Joe Milton’s stock is soaring
The most significant battle of the preseason has been for the backup quarterback job behind Dak Prescott. While it was initially thought the team might keep just two quarterbacks, the strong play of both competitors might force the Cowboys’ hand into keeping three.
Stock up: Joe Milton III
By far, Milton III, who is also called a “rocket” for his massive arm strength by some Cowboys fans on social media, has seized control of the QB2 competition as of the second game of the preseason.
After a strong showing in the preseason opener, he started against the Arizona Cardinals and delivered a masterful performance, completing 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
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His ability to control the “RPMs of the football” and throw with different speeds and touches has impressed head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Milton’s elite physical traits and newfound consistency have made him the favorite for the top backup role.
Stock down: Sam Howell
Howell hasn’t played poorly, but he has been outshone by Milton. Against the Cardinals, he was a solid 7 of 10 for 65 yards but also threw an interception and scored zero touchdowns.
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While Schottenheimer insists the battle “is long from over”, Howell’s inability to match Milton’s explosiveness has put him in a precarious position. His roster spot might now depend on whether the team decides to keep three quarterbacks.
Cowboys running back competition: A crowded and contested room
The running back room is one of the hottest contested positions on the roster.
Stock up: Malik Davis
Davis has been the definition of a player who refuses to be denied. He entered training camp as a longshot but has “earned” the No. 2 running back job this summer with his consistent performance.
His tenacity and reliability have made him a favorite of the coaching staff, drawing comparisons to veteran Jourdan Lewis for his persistence in sticking around the roster.
Stock up: Jaydon Blue
Blue’s stock has been a roller coaster. He had a disappointing rookie season and a slow start to training camp.
However, he showcased his unique playmaking ability in the preseason opener against the Seahawks, proving he has a specific and valuable role on this team. While he has reportedly been dealing with an injury, his big-play potential might be enough to secure him a spot.
Stock down: Phil Mafah
The rookie’s stock is trending in the wrong direction. Despite head coach Brian Schottenheimer previously mentioning a “tight battle” for RB2, Mafah was barely used against the Cardinals, getting just one carry.
While he turned that carry into a 15-yard touchdown, his lack of usage is a clear sign that he is on the outside looking in. He is now widely projected to be a cut.
Cowboys WR room roster battle: The rise of the underdogs
The top four receiver spots are locked up by CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, and KaVontae Turpin. The battle for the final two spots has been intense.
Stock up: Camden Brown
The undrafted free agent of the 2026 class out of Georgia Southern, Camden Brown, has been the biggest surprise of camp.
Brown announced himself with a two-touchdown performance against the Seahawks. He has continued to make big plays, forcing the coaching staff into a very difficult decision. His ascension has made him a near-lock for the roster, as the team would likely struggle to hide him on the practice squad.
Stock up: Jonathan Mingo
After a disappointing start to his Cowboys career following a trade, Mingo has finally started to show his worth. He has earned his way into the mix with a solid summer and strong special teams play, making it increasingly likely he secures a roster spot.
Stock down: Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Anthony Smith
These two veterans are the primary victims of the emergence of Brown and Mingo. Both are now widely projected to be on the chopping block when final cuts are made.
Cowboys tight end position prediction: A veteran holding on
Stock up: Luke Schoonmaker
The 2023 second-round pick was in danger of being cut, potentially beaten out by undrafted free agent Michael Trigg. However, Trigg suffered a toe injury, opening the door for Schoonmaker. He has looked solid in the preseason and is now projected to make the roster as the TE3.
Edge rusher/Outside linebacker: A numbers game
The signing of veteran Von Miller has created a logjam at a position that was already deep.
Stock up: James Houston
Houston has arguably been the best pure pass rusher of the bunch. He has consistently shown a knack for finding the quarterback, and his performance has made him a valuable asset that the team will want to keep.
Stock down: Marist Liufau
Liufau is a prime example of a player whose stock has fallen due to circumstances beyond his control. The arrival of Miller pushed him down the depth chart.
While he is a better special-teamer, the Cowboys are projected to go with six edge rushers, and Liufau might be the odd man out. However, he is not out of the fight.
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker has allowed him to get reps at inside linebacker, which could give him a path to the roster if he can prove his versatility.
Other bubble players of the Dallas Cowboys to watch before roster cuts
Stock up: Jaishawn Barham (LB)
The rookie linebacker has been a standout. He followed up a strong training camp with an incredible performance against the Cardinals, looking like a force at middle linebacker. His play has solidified his spot on the roster.
Stock up: Justin Barron (LB)
Another undrafted free agent is making a serious push. Barron grabbed three interceptions in a scrimmage and has been so impressive that he is now competing for a final linebacker spot.
Stock down: Julius Wood (S)
The safety was making a case for a roster spot with his versatility, but his stock took a hit after he left the game against the Cardinals with a concussion.
On the Rise: Tommy Dunn (DT)
The undrafted free agent out of Kentucky is making waves along the defensive front. He was credited with four pressures in the preseason opener, and his strong play is making him too valuable to risk losing to another team.
The next few days will be a tense time for players on the bubble.
The preseason finale against the Saints represents a final opportunity for players to make their case, but for many, the writing is already on the wall.
The Cowboys’ front office has some incredibly tough decisions to make as they build their final 53-man roster for the 2026 season.
