Let’s be real, Cowboys Nation. The last two seasons have been tough to watch. Even after a change at head-coaching position, the Dallas Cowboys couldn’t reach the playoffs. Specifically, the Cowboys defense was so bad in the last season that they made opposing offenses look like the Greatest Show on Turf.
However, the 2026 NFL season is expected to be the comeback year for the Cowboys. Two weeks ago, head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed a deep feeling and vision that he wants to win a Super Bowl this year for his team and for his late NFL coach father Marty Schottenheimer.
To talk about the defense, the biggest NFL insider like Adam Schefter has put 31 NFL teams on notice as he predicted the Cowboys defense could be dangerous this year. After allowing a league-worst 30 points per game in 2025, the Cowboys brought in Christian Parker as defensive coordinator and switched to a 3-4 scheme.
So as the team packs up for 2026 training camp for the sunny fields of Oxnard, California, ESPN’s Todd Archer has done the heavy lifting. He’s broken down the numbers, weighed the battles, and delivered his 53-man roster projection for the upcoming season.
Here’s who made the cut.
ESPN predicts 53-man roster of the Dallas Cowboys
Todd Archer’s projection includes a balanced mix of established stars, emerging playmakers, and a few surprises. The roster leans heavily toward defense, with 26 players on that side of the ball, while the offense features 24 players and the specialists round things out with three.
Without further delay, here is the full 53-man roster as predicted by Archer.
Offense (24 players)
Quarterbacks (2)
- Dak Prescott
- Sam Howell
Running Backs (4)
- Javonte Williams
- Jaydon Blue
- Hunter Luepke
- Phil Mafah
Tight Ends (3)
- Jake Ferguson
- Luke Schoonmaker
- Brevyn Spann-Ford
Wide Receivers (6)
- CeeDee Lamb
- George Pickens
- Ryan Flournoy
- KaVontae Turpin
- Anthony Smith
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Offensive Linemen (9)
- Tyler Guyton
- Tyler Smith
- Cooper Beebe
- Tyler Booker
- Terence Steele
- T.J. Bass
- Nate Thomas
- Drew Shelton
- Trevor Keegan
Defense (26 players)
Defensive Linemen (11)
- Rashan Gary
- Quinnen Williams
- Kenny Clark
- Donovan Ezeiruaku
- Malachi Lawrence
- Sam Williams
- Marist Liufau
- Otito Ogbonnia
- Jonathan Bullard
- LT Overton
- Tyrus Wheat
Linebackers (5)
- DeMarvion Overshown
- Dee Winters
- Jaishawn Barham
- Shemar James
- Curtis Robinson
Cornerbacks (6)
- DaRon Bland
- Shavon Revel Jr.
- Cobie Durant
- Caelen Carson
- Devin Moore
- Derion Kendrick
Safeties (4)
- Malik Hooker
- Jalen Thompson
- Caleb Downs
- P.J. Locke
Special Teams (3 players)
- Brandon Aubrey, Kicker
- Bryan Anger, Punter
- Trent Sieg, Long Snapper
The Cowboys are betting big on a defensive overhaul while trusting their offense to carry the load. And honestly, that might be the smartest play available.
The offensive lineup is stacked with firepower. Dak Prescott is still the man under center. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens form one of the more dangerous receiver duos in the league. Javonte Williams is coming off a 1,200-yard season. And the offensive line, if Tyler Guyton can stay healthy, has the potential to be among the better units in the NFC.
On the other hand, the defense is the wild card. Rashan Gary brings proven pass-rush ability, Caleb Downs is the future at safety while Shavon Revel Jr. is finally healthy and ready to show what he can do.
But the linebacker room is thin, and the scheme change will take time to click. The good news is this group only needs to be average. After last season, that would be a massive improvement.
Will this be the year the drought ends? Probably yes. For the first time in a while, there’s a clear direction. And there’s also a genuine optimism flowing through the halls of The Star.
The training camp starts July 29 and Cowboys Nation is ready to believe again. Let’s see what this group can do.