Now that the 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, and the Dallas Cowboys have signed their UDFA targets, the next step is getting everyone together for offseason workouts. The newest additions to the Cowboys roster will see some battle it out with veterans, while others leapfrog them, becoming immediate starters.
The true battles won’t come until training camp, after the early offseason’s installs that will generally have the rookies starting out on the bottom of the totem pole, except for standout cases. Here’s a projection of how the new 90-man roster looks, position by position, following the additions Dallas made in the draft. Players predicted to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp are in italics. 38 34
Quarterbacks (3)
Starter: Dak PrescottBackups: Joe Milton, Sam Howell
Running Backs (7)
Starter: Javonte Williams, Hunter LuepkeBackups: Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, Malik Davis, Israel Abanikanda, Dominic Richardson (R)
Wide Receivers (10)
Starters: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy Backups: KaVontae Turpin, Johnathan Mingo, Anthony Smith (R), Parris Campbell, Traeshon Holden, Jordan Hudson (R), Camden Brown (R)
Tight Ends (6)
Starter: Jake FergusonBackups: Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker, Princeton Fant, Michal Trigg (R), DJ Rogers (R)
Offensive Tackle (8)
Starters: Tyler Guyton, Terence SteeleBackups: Nate Thomas, Drew Shelton (R), Ajani Cornelius, Marcellus Johnson, Shiyazh Pete (R), Sidney Fugar (R)
Offensive Guard (5)
Starters: Tyler Smith, Tyler BookerBackups: T.J. Bass, Trevor Keegan, Nick Leverett
Center (2)
Starter: Cooper BeebeBackup: Matt Hennessy
Fourth-round pick Drew Shelton will make the roster thanks to his athletic ability, length, and draft position. Dallas has high hopes for him, and depending on how well he performs and Guyton’s injury concerns, Shelton could be the future at left tackle. Right now, he’ll have a chance to push Thomas as the team’s swing tackle and could overtake him later in the season.
As for their last pick in the draft, East Carolina receiver Anthony Smith, he will look to make the roster, battling it out with Mingo, Holden, and Campbell. His best chance to make the team would be on special teams. If he can do that and outperform his competition, he has a shot at making the roster.
On the defensive side of the football, Dallas focused most of their draft capital on helping defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Here’s what an early projection for the defense could look like.
Cornerback (12)
Starters: DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel Jr., Caleb Downs (R) Backups: Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Devin Moore (R), Reddy Stewart, Caelen Carson, Trikweze Bridges, Josh Butler, Corey Ballentine, Zion Childress
Safety (6)
Starters: Jalen Thompson, Malik HookerBackups: P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell, Alijah Clark, Julius Wood
Inside Linebacker (5)
Starters: DeMarvion Overshown, Dee WintersBackups: Jaishawn Barham (R), Shemar James, Justin Barron
Edge Defenders (8)
Starters: Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence (R)Backups: James Houston, Sam Williams, Marist Liufau, Tyrus Wheat, Isaiah Land
Defensive Line (9)
Starters: Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Jonathan BullardBackups: LT Overton (R), Otito Ogbonnia, Jay Toia, Adedayo Odeleye, Tommy Dunn (R), Kelvin Gilliam (R)
Special Teams (3)
Starters: Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
The defense, now under Christian Parker, will be vastly different from years past. Players will be asked to play multiple positions across the defense. Rookies Downs, Lawrence, Barham, Moore, and Overton will look to inject youth and positional flex into a defense unable to slow down even the worst offenses.
These additions show just how much faith the Cowboys are putting into Parker, and with his newest additions on the depth chart, it will be interesting to see how it all works out.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Projecting Cowboys’ depth chart after 2026 draft, UDFA signings
Reporting by Terence Watson , Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
