Machota's Cowboys 53-man roster projection

[DuncanIso]

By Sam Williams
Hello Camden Brown

Sidenote.......Howell to the practice squad?????? Don't see them carrying 3 QBs and don't see them cutting Milton.

Howell has a GTD deal.

 

[DuncanIso]

Maybe keep this guy.......

Keagan and Cornelius have done well.

 

[DuncanIso]

As Machota pints out, it's important to remember what happens tomorrow isn't the Cowboys final 53. They will make moves just like every other team. As a Cowboys reporter, he gives a pretty good idea of what the first 53 might looks like. He goes 10 deep at OL and 6 deep at WR.

Cowboys 53-man roster projection: Will they keep 3 QBs? Which spots still need help?
By Jon Machota
Aug. 29, 2026

ARLINGTON, Texas — Jerry Jones said at the beginning of training camp that the Dallas Cowboys were open to making a “substantive” move if one was available. Since that time, their only notable move was signing veteran edge rusher Von Miller. But they’ve also been very fortunate in the health department.

Does that mean they are set with their final 53 being what they already have in the building?

Not necessarily.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/75...t&source=emp_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share

Interesting list.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

I don't see them cutting Howell. I think 3. Milton higher upside buy Howell gives you a more reliable floor IMO. If Dak goes down for a few games I want both and am willing to give up an OT who never sees the field or some other guy to do it

This and per the boss, he likes 3 QB also.

 

[gimmesix]

As good a list as any and I think this is going to be pretty close, but I don't think you could go with only 4 CBs. Downs playing the Nickel Corner in CPs defense doesn't totally replace a CB. It's a hybrid position.

I've had four corners from the start because both Downs and Thompson can play the nickel safety position. Essentially, our nickel defense consists of two corners and three safeties, so double that for depth and you get four corners and six safeties. But I don't know if we'll risk our fourth-round corner to waivers, and I don't think we'd keep him as the fourth, so I changed mine to five for now, which means cutting Wood and Clark at safety.

 

[gimmesix]

Shelton will be on the 53. If he gets cut, some team likely picks him up. Do you want to spend a 4th on your future OT just for that to happen?

The plan for Shelton is for this to always be a red shirt year. Go read about his past and you will understand.

I just don't know if he'll be picked up. He played quite poorly. Some team could do it based on their college scouting, but he certainly doesn't deserve it.

 

[Jarntt]

I've had four corners from the start because both Downs and Thompson can play the nickel safety position. Essentially, our nickel defense consists of two corners and three safeties, so double that for depth and you get four corners and six safeties. But I don't know if we'll risk our fourth-round corner to waivers, and I don't think we'd keep him as the fourth, so I changed mine to five for now, which means cutting Wood and Clark at safety.

There are always going to be times you play 3 corners. If Moore is #4 and you don't trust him you need another. Also in-game injuries happen. Lastly backup DBs always play STs so going deeper there usually is a little easier from a roster building perspective. It will be interesting if they build the roster with a safety/CB vision or more a total # of DBs blend due to Downs playing that hybrid role (Thompson is not playing any CB). Our #5 and 6 safeties are better players than our #4 and 5 CBs and better on STs too, so that creates a little bit of a dilemma I would imagine.

 

[Jarntt]

I just don't know if he'll be picked up. He played quite poorly. Some team could do it based on their college scouting, but he certainly doesn't deserve it.

I think Shelton came on a little bit and played a little better so I've gone from the group thinking "they are nuts if they keep him" to "I prefer him on the PS to develop". Do I have faith in him ever being a future starter? No. Do I have faith in Thomas ever being a future starter? No. Would I prefer a player from another team added even if it meant letting go of one of them? Yes.

 

[jazzcat22]

Top 45 are pretty easy, maybe even top 48.

I am close with this.

I have them keeping 9 OL. Thomas and Everett are out, Cornelius is in. However that only leaves Shelton as a back up OT.
I have Sam William over Houston, as to me Houston and Miller are the same player. Williams may be able to play some DT.
I do not have Barron on the team.

I have Kendrick and Steward at CB, going with 6 and not just 4
I have Clark over Bell, but kind of leaning to Wood instead.

 

[gimmesix]

There are always going to be times you play 3 corners. If Moore is #4 and you don't trust him you need another. Also in-game injuries happen. Lastly backup DBs always play STs so going deeper there usually is a little easier from a roster building perspective. It will be interesting if they build the roster with a safety/CB vision or more a total # of DBs blend due to Downs playing that hybrid role (Thompson is not playing any CB). Our #5 and 6 safeties are better players than our #4 and 5 CBs and better on STs too, so that creates a little bit of a dilemma I would imagine.

They said when they got Thompson that he could play the nickel. If we had not drafted Downs, I wouldn't have been surprised at all if Thompson had ended up in the slot because I believe Parker prefers a safety there if he has one that can cover well because they are generally better at coming up and playing the run and blitzing.

I don't expect to see three true corners out there at the same time much at all, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[soopastar4]

As Machota pints out, it's important to remember what happens tomorrow isn't the Cowboys final 53. They will make moves just like every other team. As a Cowboys reporter, he gives a pretty good idea of what the first 53 might looks like. He goes 10 deep at OL and 6 deep at WR.

Cowboys 53-man roster projection: Will they keep 3 QBs? Which spots still need help?
By Jon Machota
Aug. 29, 2026

ARLINGTON, Texas — Jerry Jones said at the beginning of training camp that the Dallas Cowboys were open to making a “substantive” move if one was available. Since that time, their only notable move was signing veteran edge rusher Von Miller. But they’ve also been very fortunate in the health department.

Does that mean they are set with their final 53 being what they already have in the building?

Not necessarily.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/75...t&source=emp_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share

This guy is like a cowboy's media plant to help soften the blow of fans when guys that should be cut somehow make the team over players who actually earned a spot on the 53

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

i agree with everything but Shelton. He can't take up a roster spot. Nate Thomas has actually shown he could step in and give some ok protection against starting defenders last year so ill give him the benefit of the doubt after his pre season showing, but Shelton gonna get Dak killed if he has to the see field at all.

Can’t cut a 4th rounder that early unless they completely whiffed on what he can become.

 

[stilltheguru]

Top 45 are pretty easy, maybe even top 48.

I am close with this.

I have them keeping 9 OL. Thomas and Everett are out, Cornelius is in. However that only leaves Shelton as a back up OT.
I have Sam William over Houston, as to me Houston and Miller are the same player. Williams may be able to play some DT.
I do not have Barron on the team.

I have Kendrick and Steward at CB, going with 6 and not just 4
I have Clark over Bell, but kind of leaning to Wood instead.

Sam can't even play DE but he can play dt? Rightttttttttt

 

[Xizor]

As Machota pints out, it's important to remember what happens tomorrow isn't the Cowboys final 53. They will make moves just like every other team. As a Cowboys reporter, he gives a pretty good idea of what the first 53 might looks like. He goes 10 deep at OL and 6 deep at WR.

Cowboys 53-man roster projection: Will they keep 3 QBs? Which spots still need help?
By Jon Machota
Aug. 29, 2026

ARLINGTON, Texas — Jerry Jones said at the beginning of training camp that the Dallas Cowboys were open to making a “substantive” move if one was available. Since that time, their only notable move was signing veteran edge rusher Von Miller. But they’ve also been very fortunate in the health department.

Does that mean they are set with their final 53 being what they already have in the building?

Not necessarily.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/75...t&source=emp_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share

Solid list but think this is initial list with the hopes of some being trade bait.

 

[The Quest for Six]

As good a list as any and I think this is going to be pretty close, but I don't think you could go with only 4 CBs. Downs playing the Nickel Corner in CPs defense doesn't totally replace a CB. It's a hybrid position.

I think Dallas will either look to pick up or trade for a corner and offensive tackle

 

[gimmesix]

I think Shelton came on a little bit and played a little better so I've gone from the group thinking "they are nuts if they keep him" to "I prefer him on the PS to develop". Do I have faith in him ever being a future starter? No. Do I have faith in Thomas ever being a future starter? No. Would I prefer a player from another team added even if it meant letting go of one of them? Yes.

I'm starting to feel like we'll keep Shelton (because we spent a fourth on him ... and he did play a little better in this game/Thomas was the problem spot in the first half). That would mean keeping one or two from among Keegan, Leverett and Cornelius, who I thought all looked better than Shelton, but obviously playing inside is easier than playing tackle. I do think we could probably get Leverett and Cornelius to the practice squad.

 

[erod]

By Sam Williams
Hello Camden Brown

Sidenote.......Howell to the practice squad?????? Don't see them carrying 3 QBs and don't see them cutting Milton.

You absolutely carry 3 quarterbacks. When is the last time Dallas has legitimate backups at QB?

One guy with a hot hand who's shown improvement, but who was also just awful last year.

Another guy with proven performance and experience in the league who can manage a few games for you if needed.

Who do you take? Both!!

You can't run an offense without reasonable quarterback play, so never skimp there if you can help it.

And Dak gets hurt a lot.

 

[JustChip]

By Sam Williams
Hello Camden Brown

Sidenote.......Howell to the practice squad?????? Don't see them carrying 3 QBs and don't see them cutting Milton.

Howell is not subject to the waiver wire. They could have a handshake agreement with him to cut and then bring him back either on the PS or the 53. Of course, Howell could not honor the handshake deal if another team made him a Godfather offer.

 

[erod]

Cornelius needs to be on this roster.

 

[jazzcat22]

Sam can't even play DE but he can play dt? Rightttttttttt

I think he lined up on the inside at times the past few years.
I only have him as I said, to me Houston and Miller the same type. Who gets the snaps.
Now they could keep some one like Barron over Williams.

Williams did not look good it coverage but made some plays. The play many thought he was beat on. He really was not. That pass would been successful against 80% of any player.

If they keep him as a pass rusher only, then he can be good.