Front Seven Projections In Training Camp

[Kwyn]

This is a “who makes it on the front seven?” post.

For purposes of the discussion, include interior defense linemen, defensive ends and linebackers.

First, the turnover is wild.

Here was 2025 opening day roster for d-line and linebacker.

Bold are still with the team

Edge	Dante Fowler Jr., Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Houston, Sam Williams
DT	Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Solomon Thomas, Kenny Clark, Jay Toia, Perrion Winfrey
LB	Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, Damone Clark, Shemar James, Demarion Overshown (PUP),

New Faces (not on 2025 opening day roster)

EDGE	Rashan Gary, Johnathan Bullard, Tyrus Wheat
DT	Quennin Williams, Ottito Ogbonia, Johnathan Bullard, LT Overton, Kevin Gilliam, Tommy Dunn,

So, who makes it and where we they playing?

 

[Kwyn]

Forgot new LBs

LB	Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Curtis Robinson

 

[big dog cowboy]

That's like trying to predict the weather.

 

[HungryLion]

This is a “who makes it on the front seven?” post.

For purposes of the discussion, include interior defense linemen, defensive ends and linebackers.

First, the turnover is wild.

Here was 2025 opening day roster for d-line and linebacker.

Bold are still with the team

Edge	Dante Fowler Jr., Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Houston, Sam Williams
DT	Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Solomon Thomas, Kenny Clark, Jay Toia, Perrion Winfrey
LB	Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, Damone Clark, Shemar James, Demarion Overshown (PUP),

New Faces (not on 2025 opening day roster)

EDGE	Rashan Gary, Johnathan Bullard, Tyrus Wheat
DT	Quennin Williams, Ottito Ogbonia, Johnathan Bullard, LT Overton, Kevin Gilliam, Tommy Dunn,

So, who makes it and where we they playing?

You also forgot our first round pick Malachi Lawrence!!

 

[fivetwos]

Wouldn’t mind seeing some of those more versed than me lay this all out.

Granted I’m not all that bright, but I remain confused as to how this is going to look, and who is going to do what.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Wouldn’t mind seeing some of those more versed than me lay this all out.

Granted I’m not all that bright, but I remain confused as to how this is going to look, and who is going to do what.

don't be so hard on yourself my friend

 

[Coogiguy03]

O is on the PUP, sheesh!

 

[Kwyn]

You also forgot our first round pick Malachi Lawrence!!

Doh!

 

[Kwyn]

O is on the PUP, sheesh!

That was last season

 

[BlindFaith]

DL - Otti, Clark, Q
2nd - Bullard, Overton
Bubble - (Dunn)

OLB - Gary, Eze
2nd - Law, Williams
Bubble - (Houston)

ILB - Winters, Overshown
2nd - Barham, James
Bubble - (Barron, Robinson)

Maybe they go 5 DL and 5 OLB. Thats 14

It'll also be interesting how many they keep in the Secondary.

Safety - Downs,Thompson, Locke, Hooker?
Bubble - (Bell, Clark)

Corner - Bland, Revel, Durrant, Moore, Kendrick
Bubble - (Carson, Bridges, Butler)

Thats 23 on Defense. 1, maybe 2 bubble guys make it. Depending on what they do on offense. And Hookers spot may be up for grabs if he doesnt come to play.

 

[Kwyn]

Wouldn’t mind seeing some of those more versed than me lay this all out.

Granted I’m not all that bright, but I remain confused as to how this is going to look, and who is going to do what.

Starting Lineups

Three man front (run downs)

Defensive Line (3): Q (5-tech), Ogbonnia 0 or 1-tech, and Clark (5-tech

Linebackers (4): Overshown (Inside), Winters (Inside), Eze(Outside), and Gary (Outside).

Nickel
Defensive Line (4): Eze (DE 7 or 9-tech), Q (DT 3-tech), Clark (DT 3-tech), and Gary(DE 7 or 9-tech).

Linebackers (2): Overshown and Winters


I think defensive tackle is pretty congested and some hard decisions will need to be made

With the Eagles. Parker carried five DTs, but this is a different defense and different personnel and Parker may want more insurance up front.

If the Cowboys carry five tackles, which they did in 2025, then Bullard and the rookie Overton are locks. I think if Ogbonnia goes down, then Clark moves inside in the three man front and one of those two take his spot at the 5-tech.

If they carry six, then Toiya makes the team and he backs up Ogbonnia on running downs.

If Toiya makes the team then you’re looking a safety, an edge or a CB getting cut that would have otherwise made rhe 53 man.

The cut comes from one of these groups. I list two guys at each spot but in each case, these pairings are already on the bubble and only one of the two would make it anyway. Whichever group is shorted by Toiya, then both were likely gone

Safety: Bell/Clark
Edge: Wheat/Land
CB: Butler/Trikweze

 

[BlindFaith]

Starting Lineups

Three man front (run downs)

Defensive Line (3): Q (5-tech), Ogbonnia 0 or 1-tech, and Clark (5-tech

Linebackers (4): Overshown (Inside), Winters (Inside), Eze(Outside), and Gary (Outside).

Nickel
Defensive Line (4): Eze (DE 7 or 9-tech), Q (DT 3-tech), Clark (DT 3-tech), and Gary(DE 7 or 9-tech).

Linebackers (2): Overshown and Winters


I think defensive tackle is pretty congested and some hard decisions will need to be made

With the Eagles. Parker carried five DTs, but this is a different defense and different personnel and Parker may want more insurance up front.

If the Cowboys carry five tackles, which they did in 2025, then Bullard and the rookie Overton are locks. I think if Ogbonnia goes down, then Clark moves inside in the three man front and one of those two take his spot at the 5-tech.

If they carry six, then Toiya makes the team and he backs up Ogbonnia on running downs.

If Toiya makes the team then you’re looking a safety, an edge or a CB getting cut that would have otherwise made rhe 53 man.

The cut comes from one of these groups. I list two guys at each spot but in each case, these pairings are already on the bubble and only one of the two would make it anyway. Whichever group is shorted by Toiya, then both were likely gone

Safety: Bell/Clark
Edge: Wheat/Land
CB: Butler/Trikweze

Toia wont make the team.

 

[justbob]

That's like trying to predict the weather.

That's easy....it's nearly Aug in Texas...the weather is hot.,..now the football is more complicated

 

[America's Cowboy]

DL - Otti, Clark, Q
2nd - Bullard, Overton
Bubble - (Dunn)

OLB - Gary, Eze
2nd - Law, Williams
Bubble - (Houston)

ILB - Winters, Overshown
2nd - Barham, James
Bubble - (Barron, Robinson)

Maybe they go 5 DL and 5 OLB. Thats 14

It'll also be interesting how many they keep in the Secondary.

Safety - Downs,Thompson, Locke, Hooker?
Bubble - (Bell, Clark)

Corner - Bland, Revel, Durrant, Moore, Kendrick
Bubble - (Carson, Bridges, Butler)

Thats 23 on Defense. 1, maybe 2 bubble guys make it. Depending on what they do on offense. And Hookers spot may be up for grabs if he doesnt come to play.

You forgot to mention Marist Liufau.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Brother, you forgot to mention our new green dot inside LB... Agent Zero

Just look at the size of that neck. Wow!

 

[RonWashington]

Gary & Lawrence EDGE
Williams & Clark DT
Barham & Winters LB flanked by
Overshown & Robinson

That’s 2 LB’s poached off SF , hope they work out and Dallas has hits because bringing in LB’s from other teams has blown up lately .

Speaking of which the Giants are working out Kenneth Murray . Good luck.

 

[LouBrown]

Starting Lineups

Three man front (run downs)

Defensive Line (3): Q (5-tech), Ogbonnia 0 or 1-tech, and Clark (5-tech

Linebackers (4): Overshown (Inside), Winters (Inside), Eze(Outside), and Gary (Outside).

Nickel
Defensive Line (4): Eze (DE 7 or 9-tech), Q (DT 3-tech), Clark (DT 3-tech), and Gary(DE 7 or 9-tech).

Linebackers (2): Overshown and Winters


I think defensive tackle is pretty congested and some hard decisions will need to be made

With the Eagles. Parker carried five DTs, but this is a different defense and different personnel and Parker may want more insurance up front.

If the Cowboys carry five tackles, which they did in 2025, then Bullard and the rookie Overton are locks. I think if Ogbonnia goes down, then Clark moves inside in the three man front and one of those two take his spot at the 5-tech.

If they carry six, then Toiya makes the team and he backs up Ogbonnia on running downs.

If Toiya makes the team then you’re looking a safety, an edge or a CB getting cut that would have otherwise made rhe 53 man.

The cut comes from one of these groups. I list two guys at each spot but in each case, these pairings are already on the bubble and only one of the two would make it anyway. Whichever group is shorted by Toiya, then both were likely gone

Safety: Bell/Clark
Edge: Wheat/Land
CB: Butler/Trikweze

I think this is pretty much all spot on.

I'm not sure if Philly carried 4 or 5 DTs, but they only played 4. Ojomo (65%), Davis (60%), Carter (57%) and Young (30%) were the only guys who saw snaps. I think it's more likely Dallas carries 4 and plans on using an edge (Wiliams, Wheat maybe) as an inside rusher.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if they went light at CB to keep an extra DL, regardless of which spot it is, seeing as how safeties are going to play slot.

 

[RonWashington]

My list is starters . The depth portion is a tougher prediction given injuries & overall play during pre season .

 

[speedkilz88]

It can't be spot on when the coaches themselves said that Clark is the NT. And Quinnen's position is the 3t. There are not two 5t although most of the time that position will be 4i in this scheme unless they have a changeup type one that they can switch to.

Ogbonnia will compete at 4i/5t and backup at NT. That's why Toia is on the bubble.

 

[jazzcat22]

Edge	Dante Fowler Jr., Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Houston, Sam Williams
DT	Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Solomon Thomas, Kenny Clark, Jay Toia, Perrion Winfrey
LB	Marist Liufau, Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray, Damone Clark, Shemar James, Demarion Overshown (PUP),

O is on the PUP, sheesh!

Link to where O is on PUP.
However, I am not surprised, and expected it. I would not doubt if a few others are on it for a week or so as well.