The Dallas Cowboys are now deep into training camp in Oxnard, California. The team reported on July 29 and has already completed several padded practices.
With the first week of camp behind us, the picture is getting much clearer. The Cowboys came off a 7-9-1 season and made major changes, especially on defense. Now we are starting to see how those changes are shaking out.
Here is a full position-by-position breakdown of the 90-man roster as of August 9.
Quarterbacks (3)
Starter: Dak Prescott
Backups: Sam Howell, Joe Milton
Dak Prescott is the guy. No debate there. He is entering his 11th NFL season and recently told reporters he is playing his best ball. Prescott was held out of a light practice recently as a precaution with mild ankle soreness, but it is not a serious concern. He has been limited in some practices but the team is just being careful. Prescott says the offense is right on schedule after about a week of camp.
The backup battle is the real story here. Howell and Milton are splitting second-team reps. Multiple analysts expect the Cowboys to keep three quarterbacks on the initial roster, though if one pulls away, they could go with just one backup. Right now, it feels like an open competition that will continue into the preseason.
Running Backs (7)
Starter: Javonte Williams
Fullback: Hunter Luepke
Backups: Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, Malik Davis, Israel Abanikanda, Jashaun Corbin
Williams is the clear starter and the workhorse. Hunter Luepke is the fullback and a fan favorite who does all the dirty work.
The battle behind Williams is getting interesting. Blue and Mafah are both second-year guys who are getting every opportunity to secure the RB2 and RB3 spots. The Cowboys want Blue to be the lightning to Williams’ thunder. Mafah might be more of a starting back type.
Malik Davis was second on the team in rushing yardage last year, but some projections have him as a notable cut. The Cowboys recently signed former UFL rushing champion Jashaun Corbin to add even more competition to the room.
Wide receivers in Dallas Cowboys’ roster projection
Starters: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy
Backups: KaVontae Turpin, Traeshon Holden, Anthony Smith, Jonathan Mingo, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Camden Brown, Tyler Johnson, Denzel Mims, Jaden Smith, Jordan Hudson
This is the deepest group on the roster. Lamb and Pickens are a formidable 1-2 punch. Pickens is playing on the franchise tag at $27.30 million and has been putting multiple highlights on tape every single day. He is channeling what he calls Mamba Mentality.
Flournoy has emerged as the clear WR3. He says being in that spot compared to fighting for a roster spot is super different. His confidence is up and he is playing comfortably. Flournoy has made big plays in camp, including snatching a touchdown out of Bland’s hands.
The battle for the final receiver spots is intense. Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News is projecting seventh-round rookie Smith as the fifth receiver.
Smith ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3 and the Cowboys have used him in intriguing ways, including lots of screen passes. Undrafted free agent Camden Brown is also turning heads. He had 1,079 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in his final college season.
Entering camp, Mingo, Valdes-Scantling and Holden were expected to grab the last spots. But Smith’s emergence has changed that picture. Mingo and Valdes-Scantling could end up on the chopping block.
Tight Ends (6)
Starter: Jake Ferguson
Backups: Brevyn Spann-Ford, Michael Trigg, Luke Schoonmaker, Princeton Fant (injured), DJ Rogers
Jake Ferguson is the starter. No questions there.
The big story here is Spann-Ford. He is making a real push for the TE2 job and has consistently flashed as a pass catcher and has shown pop as a run blocker. This is bad news for Schoonmaker, the former second-round pick. Schoonmaker was expected to hold the backup role, but Spann-Ford has taken over.
Undrafted free agent Michael Trigg is also climbing the depth chart. He hauled in a touchdown on his first training camp reception. Some projections have Trigg making the roster at Schoonmaker’s expense.
Fant unfortunately suffered a torn ACL and partially torn MCL in the first padded practice and will miss the entire season.
Offensive Line
Starters: Tyler Guyton (LT), Tyler Smith (LG), Cooper Beebe (C), Tyler Booker (RG), Terence Steele (RT)
Backups: Nate Thomas, Drew Shelton, TJ Bass, Trevor Keegan, Ajani Cornelius, Matt Hennessy, Nick Leverett, Chris Glaser
This is a young and talented unit. The starting five of Guyton, Smith, Beebe, Booker and Terence Steele are all considered roster locks. The big question is at left tackle. Guyton has been dealing with a sore elbow but it is considered minor and he has returned to practice. Thomas is pushing him for the starting job.
Drew Shelton, a fourth-round pick, is expected to make the roster. TJ Bass provides solid interior depth. The offensive line has all 11 starters returning from last year, which should help with consistency.
Defensive line (6)
Starters: Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark
Backups: Jonathan Bullard, LT Overton, Otito Ogbonnia, Jay Toia
The Cowboys made a massive splash by trading for All-Pro defensive tackle Williams. They paired him with Clark, another veteran presence. This is a formidable duo in the middle.
Bullard was signed in free agency to provide a rotational role. He is currently dealing with a hamstring issue but it is not considered significant. LT Overton, a rookie, provides youth and upside while Ogbonnia has also been dealing with an injury.
Outside linebackers / edge (5)
Starters: Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku
Backups: Malachi Lawrence, Sam Williams, James Houston
This group has been completely overhauled. The Cowboys traded Parsons to Green Bay and got Gary in return. Ezeiruaku is expected to start on the other side. The Cowboys also drafted Malachi Lawrence from UCF. So far in camp, there has not been much said about Lawrence. He has not been bad but he has not stood out either. Williams is a solid rotational piece.
Inside linebackers (5)
Starters: Dee Winters, DeMarvion Overshown
Backups: Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James, Curtis Robinson
Overshown is the heart of this defense. He has been dealing with leg soreness but it is considered minor and he has returned to practice.
The biggest story here is rookie Barham. The third-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft has been one of the biggest storylines of camp. He has been the biggest star of camp, not just among rookies. His speed, range and physicality have earned him praise and opportunities with the first-team defense. He did leave practice early recently with an apparent groin injury, so that is something to monitor. Additionally, Winters, acquired from the 49ers, joins Overshown as a starter.
Cornerbacks (5)
Starters: DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Cobie Durant
Backups: Devin Moore, Reddy Steward
Bland is the lockdown corner. Revel is expected to start on the outside. The Cowboys have high hopes for Revel in his second year. Durant was signed in free agency and has been making standout plays throughout camp. He picked off a Dak Prescott pass intended for CeeDee Lamb in the end zone.
Moore, a fourth-round pick, is currently dealing with a groin injury. He has been overshadowed by Durant and Derion Kendrick in camp so far. There is a battle for the spot opposite Bland, with Revel, Caelen Carson and Durant all getting first-team reps.
Safeties (5)
Starters: Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson
Backups: Malik Hooker, PJ Locke, Markquese Bell
The Cowboys used their first-round pick (No. 11 overall) on Downs from Ohio State. He has done exactly what everyone expected. He has moved all around the secondary and is already one of the leaders of the defense.
On the other side, Thompson was signed to a three-year, $33 million deal. He is dealing with a hip injury but is expected back soon. And Locke hyperextended his knee early in camp but has returned to action. Hooker also provides veteran depth.
Special teams (3)
Kicker: Brandon Aubrey
Punter: Bryan Anger
Long snapper: Trent Sieg
No surprises here. Aubrey is one of the best kickers in the league. Anger is a reliable punter. Trent Sieg is a steady long snapper. This unit is set.
The 2026 Dallas Cowboys are a team in transition. They have moved on from Micah Parsons and reshaped their defense around new coordinator Christian Parker. The most competitive battles right now are at backup quarterback, the final wide receiver spots, and tight end where Michael Trigg and Brevyn Spann-Ford are pushing hard.
The Cowboys have a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams coming up in five days. That will serve as a major test. Preseason games start on August 15. By August 30, the roster must be cut down to 53.
This roster has talent on both sides. The offense features a strong quarterback, elite receivers and a promising offensive line. The defense is faster and more physical. If the new pieces gel quickly, the Cowboys could be back in the playoff mix. If they struggle, it could be another long season. Either way, the next few weeks of camp and preseason will tell us a lot.
