One Immediate Starter in 2020 Rookie Class; 3-5 Veteran Free Agent Starters

Jumbo075

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Let's take a look at the Cowboys 2020 Rookie class as of 4/28/2020, and look at how they compare to the players already on the roster.

P (1) - Chris Jones
PK (2) - Kai Forbath, Greg Zeurlein (fa)
LS (1) - L.P. Ladoucer


Greg Zeurlein is the big free agent signing for special teams. But it is far from a given that he will beat out Kai Forbath, who started his career in a 2011 Dallas Cowboys training camp battle with Dan Bailey 9 years ago. Forbath was perfect last year in his late season stint with the Cowboys, while Zeurlein struggled with the Rams.

Zeurlein may appear to be a slight favorite because of his prior relationship with John Fassel, but he's going to have to demonstrate that he has recovered from his decline in performance last year for the Cowboys to give him the job. Forbath has a legitimate chance to be the Cowboys 2020 kicker.

The Cowboys will also likely bring in a long-snapper to give L.P. Ladouceur a break in training camp, as they have done the last 7 seasons. And it won't surprise anyone if competition for Chris Jones is added before training camp starts in July.​

QB (4) - Ben DiNucci (r), Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Clayton Thorson

Ben Dinucci will have to earn his roster spot in training camp, but if he performs to the level he did in college during training camp, he appears to have a good chance to make the roster as at least the 3rd string QB. Cooper Rush still has the upper hand to be the #1 back-up QB, but DiNucci starts out camp as a favorite to beat out Thorson, who was on the Cowboys practice squad in 2019. Regardless of the back-up QB competition, Dak Prescott is firmly entrenched as the starting QB in Dallas.​

FB (2) - Jamize Olawale, Sewo Olonilua (r)
RB (5) - Darius Anderson (r), Jordan Chunn, Rico Dowdle (r), Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard


With the late addition of rookie free agent Darius Anderson, the Cowboys appear to be carrying 7 running backs into training camp. The only two that are guaranteed roster spots are Elliott and Pollard. Last year the Cowboys went light at RB because in a pinch, Olawale can play the tailback position also. But he will be in a battle for his job with Olonilua and perhaps even TE Charlie Taumoepeau, if the Cowboys intend to keep a fullback. But none of the rookies signed by the Cowboys can be seen as favorites to make the 53-man roster. The Cowboys did have a 5th round grade on Rico Dowdle, so keep an eye on him in training camp.
TE (6) - Blake Bell (fa), Cole Hikutini, Blake Jarwin, Sean McKeon (r), Dalton Schultz, Charlie Taumoepeau (r)

The Cowboys did not spend a draft pick on another TE, which may be a surprise for some. They have committed to Blake Jarwin as the starter, and signed Blake Bell as a veteran free agent blocking TE. But the fact that they did not draft another TE prospect has to be good news for Dalton Schultz, their 4th round pick from 2018. It is unlikely the two rookie Tight Ends will be competing for anything other than a spot on the Practice Squad.
WR (12) - Noah Brown, Ventell Bryant, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Stephen Guidry (r), Jon'Vea Johnson, Tevin Jones, Cedarian Lamb (r), Aaron Parker (r), Kendrick Rogers (r), Devin Smith, Cedrick Wilson

The top 3 WR's on the roster are definitely the two incumbent starters and 1st round pick CeeDee Lamb. But with both Cooper and Gallup coming off of 1000 yard seasons, it is unlikely that Lamb will immediately replace Gallup as the WR2, and Cooper is the de facto WR1 after signing the big $100M contract this spring. Nevertheless, Lamb may become a top 2 starter by the end of the 2020 season.

Ultimately, it is likely the Cowboys will start most games in a 3-WR set, which means Lamb, Cooper and Gallup will all get many opportunities to contribute in the passing game. But it is unrealistic to believe Lamb will immediately beat out Gallup. At the minimum, the Cowboys would probably like to showcase Gallup in 2020, so they have the option of trading him next Spring for a premium draft pick next year, if they choose to do so.

It is also likely that the Cowboys will keep 6 WR's on the final roster, given that their primary offensive alignment will be 11 personnel. Both Wilson and Smith flashed last season, and Brown has lasted longer on the roster than many thought possible. But all that is ancient history with a new coaching staff in place.

It is hard to argue against McCarthy having a much higher success rate with WR's in his coaching history than the Cowboys previous coaching staff, so it is really anyone's guess which of the other 9 WR's will earn one of the 3 available roster spots. Someone who can contribute on special teams, like Ventell Bryant did last year, may have a leg up on another receiver who doesn't offer Special Teams value. Having said that, it will be surprising if Wilson doesn't make the team in 2020.​

OT (6) - La'el Collins, Mitch Hyatt, Brandon Knight, Wyatt Miller, Tyron Smith, Terrance Steele (r)

Smith and Collins are your undoubted starters. Both are deserving of Pro Bowl honors, and Smith is a multi-year All-Pro. Surprising a lot of people Knight earned playing time last year over former Clemson Tiger Mitch Hyatt. But Hyatt has had a year to bulk up, and it will be a battle between Hyatt and Knight for the backup role as swing tackle this year. The Cowboys may opt to keep both. Obviously the Cowboys have enough confidence that at least on of them will emerge, having cut ties with last year's super-sub Cameron Fleming. Rookie Terrance Steele will battle for a developmental role on the Practice Squad.​

OG (5) - Isaac Alarcon (r), Zack Martin, Connor McGovern, Cody Wichmann, Connor Williams

Zach Martin is an All-Pro starter at RG. But Williams hasn't fully entrenched himself at LG, and McGovern may ultimately be more suited to be a starter. It depends on how much Williams has developed his strength, and pass protection ability over this past offseason. No one really knows yet what the Cowboys have in McGovern, who was a highly rated rookie last year, but spent the season on injured reserve. The Cowboys will give him an opportunity to compete at both Guard and Center this summer.

Wichmann is a former Rams 5th round pick who has spent a couple of seasons on the Cowboys roster, and Adam Redmond will also compete at Guard. Alarcon is an international player from Mexico. If he flashes at all during training camp, the Cowboys will be eligible for a roster exemption to keep him as a 13th member of the Practice Squad in 2020.​

OC (4) - Tyler Biadasz (r), Marcus Henry, Joe Looney, Adam Redmond

Looney started the entire 2018 season for the Cowboys, and was re-signed this year to his third 2-year contract with the Cowboys. He has proven capable of being a competent starting center in the NFL, and is the likely day 1 starter. But Tyler Biadasz is an excellent prospect that was being touted as a potential 1st round pick last fall. There will be a heated competition for the starting job between Biadasz, Looney, and former college center McGovern in July. Even if Looney emerges as the starter, there is no guarantee he keeps the job for all of 2020. Like Looney, Redmond has position flex to both Guard and Center, so he may have a chance to stick.​


DE (11) - Bradlee Anae (r), Dorance Armstrong, Ron'Dell Carter (r), Tyrone Crawford, Randy Gregory, Ladarius Hamilton (r), Joe Jackson, Jalen Jelks, Azur Kamara (r), DeMarcus Lawrence, Aldon Smith (fa)

The Cowboys will open up training camp with two Boise State players, Crawford and Lawrence as their starters. But if/when Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith are reinstated, they are likely to displace Crawford as the starter at the RDE position. Mike McCarthy and Mike Nolan don't have the loyalty to Crawford that the departed defensive staff had. They may well decide that Crawford is more suited to play as a back-up to McCoy at the 3-tech DT position. Smith has better historical production than Gregory. But in the back half of 2018, Gregory had 6 sacks in 8 games, and was becoming a force in the passing game.

McCarthy has said he wants 6 pass rushers. So it is likely that Lawrence, Gregory, Smith and rookie draft pick Bradlee Anae will fill 4 of those positions, unless Smith shows he has nothing left in the tank after missing the last 4 seasons. As a player who fills in all over the defensive line, and a team captain, Crawford will fill a 5th spot. So unless one of the rookie free agents surprises everyone, 4th round pick Dorance Armstrong and 2019 5th round pick Joe Jackson will likely compete for the 5th spot.

It has been rumored that the Cowboys intend to move 2019 7th round pick Jalen Jelks to outside linebacker. The key factor that none of us really know is how often the Cowboys intend to use a 3-4 front to confuse defenses. Anae, Gregory and Jelks may all be more suited to rush the passer from a 2 point stance in a 3-4 alignment. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys incorporate multiple fronts into their defensive scheme, and it may well affect who makes the final roster as a pass rusher this season. As a natural 3-4 Defensive End, this will also factor into the value of Tyrone Crawford to the Cowboys in 2020.​

DT (7) - Neville Gallimore (r), Justin Hamilton, Trysten Hill, Garrett Marino (r), Gerald McCoy (fa), Dontari Poe (fa), Antwaun Woods

No position group on the Cowboys team has had a bigger overhaul than the Defensive Tackle group. The Cowboys have brought in two veteran former 1st round picks to be the starters in McCoy and Poe, both of whom have been Pro-Bowl players. But they are also both older and declining in skills. They Cowboys really need some young players to step up. Woods is the returning starter, and will have a chance to remain in the rotation. Recent high draft picks Hill and Gallimore both have similar traits, i.e. quick first step penetrators who are a little undisciplined in their pass rush, and weak in rushing defense. Both need to spend time in the weight room to build strength.

Hill has a year advantage over Gallimore, if he's chose to use that year wisely. But a new coaching staff is likely to be more inclined to be patient with their own draft pick than they are an under-performing rookie from the previous regime. Ultimately the Cowboys will benefit if BOTH Gallimore and Hill develop into future starters. But it remains to be seen if that will take place. If the Cowboys go long here with 5 DT's, then it will cause them to go short at other places on the defense.​


LB (8) - Francis Bernard (r), Chris Covington, Luke Gifford, Sean Lee, Justin March, Jaylon Smith, Joe Thomas, Leighton Vander Esch

The Cowboys gave rookie free agent Francis Bernard a $100K signing bonus, so he's easily the most highly valued rookie free agent the Cowboys signed in the past three days. He will be given every opportunity to make the team. The Cowboys likely have 4 locks to make the linebacker team, including Vander Esch, Smith, Lee, and Thomas. The Cowboys have had some success with Covington, March, and Gifford. The tie-breaking factor will likely be how valuable the back-up linebackers are to Special Teams. As such, they will be competing for roster spots with back-up RB's, TE's, WR's, CB's and Safeties. But since LB's get injured about as often as RB's, the Cowboys will likely have at least 6 spots on the 53-man roster, and multiple spots on the Practice Squad.​

CB (11) - Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown, Deante Burton, Maurice Canady (fa), Trevon Diggs (r), C.J. Goodwin, Jourdan Lewis, Reggie Robinson II (r), Saivion Smith (fa), Chris Westry, D.J. White

The top 5 cornerbacks for the Cowboys are all locks to make the team unless they get injured. Lewis and Awuzie will start on the edges, and Brown is the starting slot cornerback. But rookie draft picks Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson may both push for playing time. They are both long, lanky corner suited for the press-type coverage the Cowboys will likely employ more this year. The rest of the cornerback will be competing for playing time on special teams. C.J. Goodwin is a special teams ace, but Maurice Canady offers more as a defensive backup player. Saivion Smith is an unknown, coming over from the XFL. Ultimately, they will all be competing with the safeties and LB's for spots on the Special Teams, with their defensive prowess being a secondary (no pun intended) concern.​

S (5) - Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix (fa), Luther Kirk (r), Darian Thompson, Donovan Wilson, Xavier Woods

The Cowboys surprised a lot of people by declining to draft a safety...again. But they did make one big offseason acquisition in former Packers 1st round pick from Alabama, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix. Pencil Dix and Woods in as the starters. Coach McCarthy has stated that he thinks some of the Cornerbacks could also be available to play safety, if needed. He is probably referring to Awuzie and both of the rookie draft picks, Diggs and Robinson. But that would only occur in an emergency. I would be surprised if the Cowboys keep more than 3 safeties. Darian Thompson has the better pedigree as a former Giants 3rd round pick. But we were all excited with Wilson's ball-hawking ability last preseason, and the new coaching staff seems to value more highly than the previous coaching staff. So Wilson may have a chance. Rookie free agent Luther Kirk is an unknown, but he'll be given an opportunity to beat out both Wilson and Thompson. Special Teams ability will determine if a 4th safety is kept on the roster.
My Projected 25 Opening day starters

Special Teams
  • P- Jones
  • PK - Forbath
  • LS - Ladouceur
Offense
  • QB - Prescott
  • RB - Elliott
  • WR - Cooper, Gallup, Lamb (r)
  • TE - Jarwin
  • OT - Smith, Collins
  • OG - Williams, Martin
  • C - Looney
Defense
  • DE - Crawford, Lawrence
  • DT - McCoy (fa), Poe (fa)
  • LB - Smith, Vander Esch
  • CB - Awuzie, Lewis, Brown
  • S - Clinton-Dix (fa), Woods
The Cowboys have 59 returning players, and 31 new players (so far). Aldon Smith and Greg Zuerlein could increase the number of new starters on the 2020 squad. And rookies Diggs and Biadasz could surprise everyone with stellar training camps to make the starting line-ups in 2020 - even if not on opening day. Although I anticipate only 5 new starters on opening day (Lamb, Poe, McCoy, Clinton-Dix, Lewis), by the end of the 2020 season, the Cowboys could have as many as 10 new starters (Lamb, Poe, McCoy, Clinton-Dix, Lewis, Biadasz, McGovern, A.Smith, Diggs, Zeurlein)
 
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Jumbo075

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Let's take a look at the Cowboys 2020 Rookie class as of 4/28/2020, and look at how they compare to the players already on the roster.

P (1) - Chris Jones
PK (2) - Kai Forbath, Greg Zeurlein (fa)
LS (1) - L.P. Ladoucer


Greg Zeurlein is the big free agent signing for special teams. But it is far from a given that he will beat out Kai Forbath, who started his career in a 2011 Dallas Cowboys training camp battle with Dan Bailey 9 years ago. Forbath was perfect last year in his late season stint with the Cowboys, while Zeurlein struggled with the Rams.

Zeurlein may appear to be a slight favorite because of his prior relationship with John Fassel, but he's going to have to demonstrate that he has recovered from his decline in performance last year for the Cowboys to give him the job. Forbath has a legitimate chance to be the Cowboys 2020 kicker.

The Cowboys will also likely bring in a long-snapper to give L.P. Ladouceur a break in training camp, as they have done the last 7 seasons. And it won't surprise anyone if competition for Chris Jones is added before training camp starts in July.​

QB (4) - Ben DiNucci (r), Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Clayton Thorson

Ben Dinucci will have to earn his roster spot in training camp, but if he performs to the level he did in college during training camp, he appears to have a good chance to make the roster as at least the 3rd string QB. Cooper Rush still has the upper hand to be the #1 back-up QB, but DiNucci starts out camp as a favorite to beat out Thorson, who was on the Cowboys practice squad in 2019. Regardless of the back-up QB competition, Dak Prescott is firmly entrenched as the starting QB in Dallas.​

FB (2) - Jamize Olawale, Sewo Olonilua (r)
RB (5) - Darius Anderson (r), Jordan Chunn, Rico Dowdle (r), Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard


With the late addition of rookie free agent Darius Anderson, the Cowboys appear to be carrying 7 running backs into training camp. The only two that are guaranteed roster spots are Elliott and Pollard. Last year the Cowboys went light at RB because in a pinch, Olawale can play the tailback position also. But he will be in a battle for his job with Olonilua and perhaps even TE Charlie Taumoepeau, if the Cowboys intend to keep a fullback. But none of the rookies signed by the Cowboys can be seen as favorites to make the 53-man roster. The Cowboys did have a 5th round grade on Rico Dowdle, so keep an eye on him in training camp.
TE (6) - Blake Bell (fa), Cole Hikutini, Blake Jarwin, Sean McKeon (r), Dalton Schultz, Charlie Taumoepeau (r)

The Cowboys did not spend a draft pick on another TE, which may be a surprise for some. They have committed to Blake Jarwin as the starter, and signed Blake Bell as a veteran free agent blocking TE. But the fact that they did not draft another TE prospect has to be good news for Dalton Schultz, their 4th round pick from 2018. It is unlikely the two rookie Tight Ends will be competing for anything other than a spot on the Practice Squad.
WR (12) - Noah Brown, Ventell Bryant, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Stephen Guidry (r), Jon'Vea Johnson, Tevin Jones, Cedarian Lamb (r), Aaron Parker (r), Kendrick Rogers (r), Devin Smith, Cedrick Wilson

The top 3 WR's on the roster are definitely the two incumbent starters and 1st round pick CeeDee Lamb. But with both Cooper and Gallup coming off of 1000 yard seasons, it is unlikely that Lamb will immediately replace Gallup as the WR2, and Cooper is the de facto WR1 after signing the big $100M contract this spring. Nevertheless, Lamb may become a top 2 starter by the end of the 2020 season.

Ultimately, it is likely the Cowboys will start most games in a 3-WR set, which means Lamb, Cooper and Gallup will all get many opportunities to contribute in the passing game. But it is unrealistic to believe Lamb will immediately beat out Gallup. At the minimum, the Cowboys would probably like to showcase Gallup in 2020, so they have the option of trading him next Spring for a premium draft pick next year, if they choose to do so.

It is also likely that the Cowboys will keep 6 WR's on the final roster, given that their primary offensive alignment will be 11 personnel. Both Wilson and Smith flashed last season, and Brown has lasted longer on the roster than many thought possible. But all that is ancient history with a new coaching staff in place.

It is hard to argue against McCarthy having a much higher success rate with WR's in his coaching history than the Cowboys previous coaching staff, so it is really anyone's guess which of the other 9 WR's will earn one of the 3 available roster spots. Someone who can contribute on special teams, like Ventell Bryant did last year, may have a leg up on another receiver who doesn't offer Special Teams value. Having said that, it will be surprising if Wilson doesn't make the team in 2020.​

OT (6) - La'el Collins, Mitch Hyatt, Brandon Knight, Wyatt Miller, Tyron Smith, Terrance Steele (r)

Smith and Collins are your undoubted starters. Both are deserving of Pro Bowl honors, and Smith is a multi-year All-Pro. Surprising a lot of people Knight earned playing time last year over former Clemson Tiger Mitch Hyatt. But Hyatt has had a year to bulk up, and it will be a battle between Hyatt and Knight for the backup role as swing tackle this year. The Cowboys may opt to keep both. Obviously the Cowboys have enough confidence that at least on of them will emerge, having cut ties with last year's super-sub Cameron Fleming. Rookie Terrance Steele will battle for a developmental role on the Practice Squad.​

OG (5) - Isaac Alarcon (r), Zack Martin, Connor McGovern, Cody Wichmann, Connor Williams

Zach Martin is an All-Pro starter at RG. But Williams hasn't fully entrenched himself at LG, and McGovern may ultimately be more suited to be a starter. It depends on how much Williams has developed his strength, and pass protection ability over this past offseason. No one really knows yet what the Cowboys have in McGovern, who was a highly rated rookie last year, but spent the season on injured reserve. The Cowboys will give him an opportunity to compete at both Guard and Center this summer.

Wichmann is a former Rams 5th round pick who has spent a couple of seasons on the Cowboys roster, and Adam Redmond will also compete at Guard. Alarcon is an international player from Mexico. If he flashes at all during training camp, the Cowboys will be eligible for a roster exemption to keep him as a 13th member of the Practice Squad in 2020.​

OC (4) - Tyler Biadasz (r), Marcus Henry, Joe Looney, Adam Redmond

Looney started the entire 2018 season for the Cowboys, and was re-signed this year to his third 2-year contract with the Cowboys. He has proven capable of being a competent starting center in the NFL, and is the likely day 1 starter. But Tyler Biadasz is an excellent prospect that was being touted as a potential 1st round pick last fall. There will be a heated competition for the starting job between Biadasz, Looney, and former college center McGovern in July. Even if Looney emerges as the starter, there is no guarantee he keeps the job for all of 2020. Like Looney, Redmond has position flex to both Guard and Center, so he may have a chance to stick.​


DE (11) - Bradlee Anae (r), Dorance Armstrong, Ron'Dell Carter (r), Tyrone Crawford, Randy Gregory, Ladarius Hamilton (r), Joe Jackson, Jalen Jelks, Azur Kamara (r), DeMarcus Lawrence, Aldon Smith (fa)

The Cowboys will open up training camp with two Boise State players, Crawford and Lawrence as their starters. But if/when Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith are reinstated, they are likely to displace Crawford as the starter at the RDE position. Mike McCarthy and Mike Nolan don't have the loyalty to Crawford that the departed defensive staff had. They may well decide that Crawford is more suited to play as a back-up to McCoy at the 3-tech DT position. Smith has better historical production than Gregory. But in the back half of 2018, Gregory had 6 sacks in 8 games, and was becoming a force in the passing game.

McCarthy has said he wants 6 pass rushers. So it is likely that Lawrence, Gregory, Smith and rookie draft pick Bradlee Anae will fill 4 of those positions, unless Smith shows he has nothing left in the tank after missing the last 4 seasons. As a player who fills in all over the defensive line, and a team captain, Crawford will fill a 5th spot. So unless one of the rookie free agents surprises everyone, 4th round pick Dorance Armstrong and 2019 5th round pick Joe Jackson will likely compete for the 5th spot.

It has been rumored that the Cowboys intend to move 2019 7th round pick Jalen Jelks to outside linebacker. The key factor that none of us really know is how often the Cowboys intend to use a 3-4 front to confuse defenses. Anae, Gregory and Jelks may all be more suited to rush the passer from a 2 point stance in a 3-4 alignment. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys incorporate multiple fronts into their defensive scheme, and it may well affect who makes the final roster as a pass rusher this season. As a natural 3-4 Defensive End, this will also factor into the value of Tyrone Crawford to the Cowboys in 2020.​

DT (7) - Neville Gallimore (r), Justin Hamilton, Trysten Hill, Garrett Marino (r), Gerald McCoy (fa), Dontari Poe (fa), Antwaun Woods

No position group on the Cowboys team has had a bigger overhaul than the Defensive Tackle group. The Cowboys have brought in two veteran former 1st round picks to be the starters in McCoy and Poe, both of whom have been Pro-Bowl players. But they are also both older and declining in skills. They Cowboys really need some young players to step up. Woods is the returning starter, and will have a chance to remain in the rotation. Recent high draft picks Hill and Gallimore both have similar traits, i.e. quick first step penetrators who are a little undisciplined in their pass rush, and weak in rushing defense. Both need to spend time in the weight room to build strength.

Hill has a year advantage over Gallimore, if he's chose to use that year wisely. But a new coaching staff is likely to be more inclined to be patient with their own draft pick than they are an under-performing rookie from the previous regime. Ultimately the Cowboys will benefit if BOTH Gallimore and Hill develop into future starters. But it remains to be seen if that will take place. If the Cowboys go long here with 5 DT's, then it will cause them to go short at other places on the defense.​


LB (8) - Francis Bernard (r), Chris Covington, Luke Gifford, Sean Lee, Justin March, Jaylon Smith, Joe Thomas, Leighton Vander Esch

The Cowboys gave rookie free agent Francis Bernard a $100K signing bonus, so he's easily the most highly valued rookie free agent the Cowboys signed in the past three days. He will be given every opportunity to make the team. The Cowboys likely have 4 locks to make the linebacker team, including Vander Esch, Smith, Lee, and Thomas. The Cowboys have had some success with Covington, March, and Gifford. The tie-breaking factor will likely be how valuable the back-up linebackers are to Special Teams. As such, they will be competing for roster spots with back-up RB's, TE's, WR's, CB's and Safeties. But since LB's get injured about as often as RB's, the Cowboys will likely have at least 6 spots on the 53-man roster, and multiple spots on the Practice Squad.​

CB (11) - Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown, Deante Burton, Maurice Canady (fa), Trevon Diggs (r), C.J. Goodwin, Jourdan Lewis, Reggie Robinson II (r), Saivion Smith (fa), Chris Westry, D.J. White

The top 5 cornerbacks for the Cowboys are all locks to make the team unless they get injured. Lewis and Awuzie will start on the edges, and Brown is the starting slot cornerback. But rookie draft picks Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson may both push for playing time. They are both long, lanky corner suited for the press-type coverage the Cowboys will likely employ more this year. The rest of the cornerback will be competing for playing time on special teams. C.J. Goodwin is a special teams ace, but Maurice Canady offers more as a defensive backup player. Saivion Smith is an unknown, coming over from the XFL. Ultimately, they will all be competing with the safeties and LB's for spots on the Special Teams, with their defensive prowess being a secondary (no pun intended) concern.​

S (5) - Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix (fa), Luther Kirk (r), Darian Thompson, Donovan Wilson, Xavier Woods

The Cowboys surprised a lot of people by declining to draft a safety...again. But they did make one big offseason acquisition in former Packers 1st round pick from Alabama, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix. Pencil Dix and Woods in as the starters. Coach McCarthy has stated that he thinks some of the Cornerbacks could also be available to play safety, if needed. He is probably referring to Awuzie and both of the rookie draft picks, Diggs and Robinson. But that would only occur in an emergency. I would be surprised if the Cowboys keep more than 3 safeties. Darian Thompson has the better pedigree as a former Giants 3rd round pick. But we were all excited with Wilson's ball-hawking ability last preseason, and the new coaching staff seems to value more highly than the previous coaching staff. So Wilson may have a chance. Rookie free agent Luther Kirk is an unknown, but he'll be given an opportunity to beat out both Wilson and Thompson. Special Teams ability will determine if a 4th safety is kept on the roster.
My Projected 25 Opening day starters

Special Teams
  • P- Jones
  • PK - Forbath
  • LS - Ladouceur
Offense
  • QB - Prescott
  • RB - Elliott
  • WR - Cooper, Gallup, Lamb (r)
  • TE - Jarwin
  • OT - Smith, Collins
  • OG - Williams, Martin
  • C - Looney
Defense
  • DE - Crawford, Lawrence
  • DT - McCoy (fa), Poe (fa)
  • LB - Smith, Vander Esch
  • CB - Awuzie, Lewis, Brown
  • S - Clinton-Dix (fa), Woods
The Cowboys have 59 returning players, and 31 new players (so far). Aldon Smith and Greg Zuerlein could increase the number of new starters on the 2020 squad. And rookies Diggs and Biadasz could surprise everyone with stellar training camps to make the starting line-ups in 2020 - even if not on opening day. Although I anticipate only 5 new starters on opening day (Lamb, Poe, McCoy, Clinton-Dix, Lewis), by the end of the 2020 season, the Cowboys could have as many as 10 new starters (Lamb, Poe, McCoy, Clinton-Dix, Lewis, Biadasz, McGovern, A.Smith, Diggs, Zeurlein)

Whoops. Forgot to add Jarwin as a new 2020 starter at TE, and also Crawford instead of Quinn.

2019 vs. 2020 Opening Day starters

P - Chris Jones
PK - Maher --> Forbath or Zeurlein
LS - Ladouceur

QB - Prescott
RB - Elliott
WR - Cooper, Gallup, Cobb ---> Cooper, Gallup,
Lamb
TE - Witten --> Jarwin
OL - Smith, Williams, Frederick, Martin, Collins ---> Smith, Williams, Looney, Martin, Collins

DE - Quinn, Lawrence --->
Crawford, Lawrence
DT - Collins, Woods --->
McCoy, Poe
LB - Vander Esch, Smith
CB - Jones, Awuzie, Brown --->
Lewis, Awuzie, Brown
S - Heath, Woods --->
Clinton-Dix, Woods

9 new opening day starters.

By year end:


Diggs (replace Brown), Biadasz (replace Looney), McGovern (replace Williams), and Gregory (replace Crawford) to become starters for a total of 11 new starters. That is a lot of change for one season.
 
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KJJ

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Lamb is the only rookie I can see starting immediately. This virtual offseason is going to make 2020 more difficult for these young players to be ready. Diggs is going to have a lot to learn playing corner at the NFL level. It’s unfortunate we’re not able to have a normal offseason and get these players in pads on a practice field.
 

texbumthelife

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Lamb is almost a lock as a day-1 starter, but I don't think he's the only one who could crack the rotation as a starter week one. I believe Gallimore could potentially push one of the vet DT's to the second unit in order to keep a talented, experienced rotation at the position. Imagine McCoy and Gallimore on the first unit with Woods and Poe on the second. I feel like this is the best way to keep talent on the field.
 

Jumbo075

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Lamb is almost a lock as a day-1 starter, but I don't think he's the only one who could crack the rotation as a starter week one. I believe Gallimore could potentially push one of the vet DT's to the second unit in order to keep a talented, experienced rotation at the position. Imagine McCoy and Gallimore on the first unit with Woods and Poe on the second. I feel like this is the best way to keep talent on the field.

Gallimore is almost exactly the same player, from a talent point of view, as Trysten Hill was last year. The big difference in them is attitude and work ethic. But there is really no way that Gallimore is ready to be a Day-1 starter. That only happens if there is an injury, and I think Woods and/or Crawford would start ahead of him, even if that happened.
 

stilltheguru

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Gallimore is almost exactly the same player, from a talent point of view, as Trysten Hill was last year. The big difference in them is attitude and work ethic. But there is really no way that Gallimore is ready to be a Day-1 starter. That only happens if there is an injury, and I think Woods and/or Crawford would start ahead of him, even if that happened.
Collins was a day 1 starter
 

gimmesix

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Lamb is almost a lock as a day-1 starter, but I don't think he's the only one who could crack the rotation as a starter week one. I believe Gallimore could potentially push one of the vet DT's to the second unit in order to keep a talented, experienced rotation at the position. Imagine McCoy and Gallimore on the first unit with Woods and Poe on the second. I feel like this is the best way to keep talent on the field.

I expect Gallimore to back up McCoy at 3-tech and Woods to back up Poe at 1-tech.
 

SteveTheCowboy

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"not spending a pick on TE may be a surprise to some"....yes....that their self-proclaimed cleverness fell flat.
 

Oneiros

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"not spending a pick on TE may be a surprise to some"....yes....that their self-proclaimed cleverness fell flat.
So apparently per Eatman we were pretty close to spending a 5th on McKeon. I don't know anything about him outside of the fact that Michigan as a whole was an utter disappointment this year, but maybe there's something there?
 

SteveTheCowboy

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So apparently per Eatman we were pretty close to spending a 5th on McKeon. I don't know anything about him outside of the fact that Michigan as a whole was an utter disappointment this year, but maybe there's something there?


Fair enough. Not in the know enough to know what we were allegedly gonna do. I can say that many peopel claimed a TE pick just because they thought it was cute and mad ethem really in the know about stuff. Hedging their bets they'd be right with bragging rights. '

Me? I am not surprised we didn't. and also saying Michigan has sucked balls for WAY more than this year. :D Media, as official Ohio State Haters keeps wanting them to be more but they just ain't.
 

DanA

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We seem to have a lot of gunner options (Diggs, Robinson, Canady, Thompson, Goodwin) but not enough blockers. Particularly with the extra 2 game day roster spots, I think we carry an extra TE, LB or box safety.
 

xwalker

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Let's take a look at the Cowboys 2020 Rookie class as of 4/28/2020, and look at how they compare to the players already on the roster.

P (1) - Chris Jones
PK (2) - Kai Forbath, Greg Zeurlein (fa)
LS (1) - L.P. Ladoucer


Greg Zeurlein is the big free agent signing for special teams. But it is far from a given that he will beat out Kai Forbath, who started his career in a 2011 Dallas Cowboys training camp battle with Dan Bailey 9 years ago. Forbath was perfect last year in his late season stint with the Cowboys, while Zeurlein struggled with the Rams.

Zeurlein may appear to be a slight favorite because of his prior relationship with John Fassel, but he's going to have to demonstrate that he has recovered from his decline in performance last year for the Cowboys to give him the job. Forbath has a legitimate chance to be the Cowboys 2020 kicker.

The Cowboys will also likely bring in a long-snapper to give L.P. Ladouceur a break in training camp, as they have done the last 7 seasons. And it won't surprise anyone if competition for Chris Jones is added before training camp starts in July.​

QB (4) - Ben DiNucci (r), Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Clayton Thorson

Ben Dinucci will have to earn his roster spot in training camp, but if he performs to the level he did in college during training camp, he appears to have a good chance to make the roster as at least the 3rd string QB. Cooper Rush still has the upper hand to be the #1 back-up QB, but DiNucci starts out camp as a favorite to beat out Thorson, who was on the Cowboys practice squad in 2019. Regardless of the back-up QB competition, Dak Prescott is firmly entrenched as the starting QB in Dallas.​

FB (2) - Jamize Olawale, Sewo Olonilua (r)
RB (5) - Darius Anderson (r), Jordan Chunn, Rico Dowdle (r), Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard


With the late addition of rookie free agent Darius Anderson, the Cowboys appear to be carrying 7 running backs into training camp. The only two that are guaranteed roster spots are Elliott and Pollard. Last year the Cowboys went light at RB because in a pinch, Olawale can play the tailback position also. But he will be in a battle for his job with Olonilua and perhaps even TE Charlie Taumoepeau, if the Cowboys intend to keep a fullback. But none of the rookies signed by the Cowboys can be seen as favorites to make the 53-man roster. The Cowboys did have a 5th round grade on Rico Dowdle, so keep an eye on him in training camp.
TE (6) - Blake Bell (fa), Cole Hikutini, Blake Jarwin, Sean McKeon (r), Dalton Schultz, Charlie Taumoepeau (r)

The Cowboys did not spend a draft pick on another TE, which may be a surprise for some. They have committed to Blake Jarwin as the starter, and signed Blake Bell as a veteran free agent blocking TE. But the fact that they did not draft another TE prospect has to be good news for Dalton Schultz, their 4th round pick from 2018. It is unlikely the two rookie Tight Ends will be competing for anything other than a spot on the Practice Squad.
WR (12) - Noah Brown, Ventell Bryant, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Stephen Guidry (r), Jon'Vea Johnson, Tevin Jones, Cedarian Lamb (r), Aaron Parker (r), Kendrick Rogers (r), Devin Smith, Cedrick Wilson

The top 3 WR's on the roster are definitely the two incumbent starters and 1st round pick CeeDee Lamb. But with both Cooper and Gallup coming off of 1000 yard seasons, it is unlikely that Lamb will immediately replace Gallup as the WR2, and Cooper is the de facto WR1 after signing the big $100M contract this spring. Nevertheless, Lamb may become a top 2 starter by the end of the 2020 season.

Ultimately, it is likely the Cowboys will start most games in a 3-WR set, which means Lamb, Cooper and Gallup will all get many opportunities to contribute in the passing game. But it is unrealistic to believe Lamb will immediately beat out Gallup. At the minimum, the Cowboys would probably like to showcase Gallup in 2020, so they have the option of trading him next Spring for a premium draft pick next year, if they choose to do so.

It is also likely that the Cowboys will keep 6 WR's on the final roster, given that their primary offensive alignment will be 11 personnel. Both Wilson and Smith flashed last season, and Brown has lasted longer on the roster than many thought possible. But all that is ancient history with a new coaching staff in place.

It is hard to argue against McCarthy having a much higher success rate with WR's in his coaching history than the Cowboys previous coaching staff, so it is really anyone's guess which of the other 9 WR's will earn one of the 3 available roster spots. Someone who can contribute on special teams, like Ventell Bryant did last year, may have a leg up on another receiver who doesn't offer Special Teams value. Having said that, it will be surprising if Wilson doesn't make the team in 2020.​

OT (6) - La'el Collins, Mitch Hyatt, Brandon Knight, Wyatt Miller, Tyron Smith, Terrance Steele (r)

Smith and Collins are your undoubted starters. Both are deserving of Pro Bowl honors, and Smith is a multi-year All-Pro. Surprising a lot of people Knight earned playing time last year over former Clemson Tiger Mitch Hyatt. But Hyatt has had a year to bulk up, and it will be a battle between Hyatt and Knight for the backup role as swing tackle this year. The Cowboys may opt to keep both. Obviously the Cowboys have enough confidence that at least on of them will emerge, having cut ties with last year's super-sub Cameron Fleming. Rookie Terrance Steele will battle for a developmental role on the Practice Squad.​

OG (5) - Isaac Alarcon (r), Zack Martin, Connor McGovern, Cody Wichmann, Connor Williams

Zach Martin is an All-Pro starter at RG. But Williams hasn't fully entrenched himself at LG, and McGovern may ultimately be more suited to be a starter. It depends on how much Williams has developed his strength, and pass protection ability over this past offseason. No one really knows yet what the Cowboys have in McGovern, who was a highly rated rookie last year, but spent the season on injured reserve. The Cowboys will give him an opportunity to compete at both Guard and Center this summer.

Wichmann is a former Rams 5th round pick who has spent a couple of seasons on the Cowboys roster, and Adam Redmond will also compete at Guard. Alarcon is an international player from Mexico. If he flashes at all during training camp, the Cowboys will be eligible for a roster exemption to keep him as a 13th member of the Practice Squad in 2020.​

OC (4) - Tyler Biadasz (r), Marcus Henry, Joe Looney, Adam Redmond

Looney started the entire 2018 season for the Cowboys, and was re-signed this year to his third 2-year contract with the Cowboys. He has proven capable of being a competent starting center in the NFL, and is the likely day 1 starter. But Tyler Biadasz is an excellent prospect that was being touted as a potential 1st round pick last fall. There will be a heated competition for the starting job between Biadasz, Looney, and former college center McGovern in July. Even if Looney emerges as the starter, there is no guarantee he keeps the job for all of 2020. Like Looney, Redmond has position flex to both Guard and Center, so he may have a chance to stick.​


DE (11) - Bradlee Anae (r), Dorance Armstrong, Ron'Dell Carter (r), Tyrone Crawford, Randy Gregory, Ladarius Hamilton (r), Joe Jackson, Jalen Jelks, Azur Kamara (r), DeMarcus Lawrence, Aldon Smith (fa)

The Cowboys will open up training camp with two Boise State players, Crawford and Lawrence as their starters. But if/when Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith are reinstated, they are likely to displace Crawford as the starter at the RDE position. Mike McCarthy and Mike Nolan don't have the loyalty to Crawford that the departed defensive staff had. They may well decide that Crawford is more suited to play as a back-up to McCoy at the 3-tech DT position. Smith has better historical production than Gregory. But in the back half of 2018, Gregory had 6 sacks in 8 games, and was becoming a force in the passing game.

McCarthy has said he wants 6 pass rushers. So it is likely that Lawrence, Gregory, Smith and rookie draft pick Bradlee Anae will fill 4 of those positions, unless Smith shows he has nothing left in the tank after missing the last 4 seasons. As a player who fills in all over the defensive line, and a team captain, Crawford will fill a 5th spot. So unless one of the rookie free agents surprises everyone, 4th round pick Dorance Armstrong and 2019 5th round pick Joe Jackson will likely compete for the 5th spot.

It has been rumored that the Cowboys intend to move 2019 7th round pick Jalen Jelks to outside linebacker. The key factor that none of us really know is how often the Cowboys intend to use a 3-4 front to confuse defenses. Anae, Gregory and Jelks may all be more suited to rush the passer from a 2 point stance in a 3-4 alignment. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys incorporate multiple fronts into their defensive scheme, and it may well affect who makes the final roster as a pass rusher this season. As a natural 3-4 Defensive End, this will also factor into the value of Tyrone Crawford to the Cowboys in 2020.​

DT (7) - Neville Gallimore (r), Justin Hamilton, Trysten Hill, Garrett Marino (r), Gerald McCoy (fa), Dontari Poe (fa), Antwaun Woods

No position group on the Cowboys team has had a bigger overhaul than the Defensive Tackle group. The Cowboys have brought in two veteran former 1st round picks to be the starters in McCoy and Poe, both of whom have been Pro-Bowl players. But they are also both older and declining in skills. They Cowboys really need some young players to step up. Woods is the returning starter, and will have a chance to remain in the rotation. Recent high draft picks Hill and Gallimore both have similar traits, i.e. quick first step penetrators who are a little undisciplined in their pass rush, and weak in rushing defense. Both need to spend time in the weight room to build strength.

Hill has a year advantage over Gallimore, if he's chose to use that year wisely. But a new coaching staff is likely to be more inclined to be patient with their own draft pick than they are an under-performing rookie from the previous regime. Ultimately the Cowboys will benefit if BOTH Gallimore and Hill develop into future starters. But it remains to be seen if that will take place. If the Cowboys go long here with 5 DT's, then it will cause them to go short at other places on the defense.​


LB (8) - Francis Bernard (r), Chris Covington, Luke Gifford, Sean Lee, Justin March, Jaylon Smith, Joe Thomas, Leighton Vander Esch

The Cowboys gave rookie free agent Francis Bernard a $100K signing bonus, so he's easily the most highly valued rookie free agent the Cowboys signed in the past three days. He will be given every opportunity to make the team. The Cowboys likely have 4 locks to make the linebacker team, including Vander Esch, Smith, Lee, and Thomas. The Cowboys have had some success with Covington, March, and Gifford. The tie-breaking factor will likely be how valuable the back-up linebackers are to Special Teams. As such, they will be competing for roster spots with back-up RB's, TE's, WR's, CB's and Safeties. But since LB's get injured about as often as RB's, the Cowboys will likely have at least 6 spots on the 53-man roster, and multiple spots on the Practice Squad.​

CB (11) - Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown, Deante Burton, Maurice Canady (fa), Trevon Diggs (r), C.J. Goodwin, Jourdan Lewis, Reggie Robinson II (r), Saivion Smith (fa), Chris Westry, D.J. White

The top 5 cornerbacks for the Cowboys are all locks to make the team unless they get injured. Lewis and Awuzie will start on the edges, and Brown is the starting slot cornerback. But rookie draft picks Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson may both push for playing time. They are both long, lanky corner suited for the press-type coverage the Cowboys will likely employ more this year. The rest of the cornerback will be competing for playing time on special teams. C.J. Goodwin is a special teams ace, but Maurice Canady offers more as a defensive backup player. Saivion Smith is an unknown, coming over from the XFL. Ultimately, they will all be competing with the safeties and LB's for spots on the Special Teams, with their defensive prowess being a secondary (no pun intended) concern.​

S (5) - Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix (fa), Luther Kirk (r), Darian Thompson, Donovan Wilson, Xavier Woods

The Cowboys surprised a lot of people by declining to draft a safety...again. But they did make one big offseason acquisition in former Packers 1st round pick from Alabama, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix. Pencil Dix and Woods in as the starters. Coach McCarthy has stated that he thinks some of the Cornerbacks could also be available to play safety, if needed. He is probably referring to Awuzie and both of the rookie draft picks, Diggs and Robinson. But that would only occur in an emergency. I would be surprised if the Cowboys keep more than 3 safeties. Darian Thompson has the better pedigree as a former Giants 3rd round pick. But we were all excited with Wilson's ball-hawking ability last preseason, and the new coaching staff seems to value more highly than the previous coaching staff. So Wilson may have a chance. Rookie free agent Luther Kirk is an unknown, but he'll be given an opportunity to beat out both Wilson and Thompson. Special Teams ability will determine if a 4th safety is kept on the roster.
My Projected 25 Opening day starters

Special Teams
  • P- Jones
  • PK - Forbath
  • LS - Ladouceur
Offense
  • QB - Prescott
  • RB - Elliott
  • WR - Cooper, Gallup, Lamb (r)
  • TE - Jarwin
  • OT - Smith, Collins
  • OG - Williams, Martin
  • C - Looney
Defense
  • DE - Crawford, Lawrence
  • DT - McCoy (fa), Poe (fa)
  • LB - Smith, Vander Esch
  • CB - Awuzie, Lewis, Brown
  • S - Clinton-Dix (fa), Woods
The Cowboys have 59 returning players, and 31 new players (so far). Aldon Smith and Greg Zuerlein could increase the number of new starters on the 2020 squad. And rookies Diggs and Biadasz could surprise everyone with stellar training camps to make the starting line-ups in 2020 - even if not on opening day. Although I anticipate only 5 new starters on opening day (Lamb, Poe, McCoy, Clinton-Dix, Lewis), by the end of the 2020 season, the Cowboys could have as many as 10 new starters (Lamb, Poe, McCoy, Clinton-Dix, Lewis, Biadasz, McGovern, A.Smith, Diggs, Zeurlein)

Lamb: Yes.
Diggs: Possible. Depends on Browns recovery from the knee injury. Will play some snaps immediately even if he is not a "starter" immediately.
Gallimore: Will be in the rotation.
Robinson: Will be active.
Biadasz: Could start.
Anae: Rotation.
 

darthseinfeld

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Fair enough. Not in the know enough to know what we were allegedly gonna do. I can say that many peopel claimed a TE pick just because they thought it was cute and mad ethem really in the know about stuff. Hedging their bets they'd be right with bragging rights. '

Me? I am not surprised we didn't. and also saying Michigan has sucked balls for WAY more than this year. :D Media, as official Ohio State Haters keeps wanting them to be more but they just ain't.
There were some reports they were targeting Devin Asiasi
 

morasp

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Biadasz' anchor against the bull rush and his lunging at quick guys concerns me. He may need some time to refine his technique. I did read that he is pretty good with the line calls which I would expect coming from Wisconsin. I could see McGovern making a push at center. They have four guys competing for two interior offensive line positions so I think they have the numbers to find the best two.
 

Pompey-Cowboy

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Thanks OP, best post i've read in ages. Makes me feel like there is just enough competition throughout this squad to have a really good 53/55.
 

Pompey-Cowboy

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I've heard it said a lot recently that to succeed in the NFL, you don't need to be great at everything, you have to not be bad at anything. It looks like the latter is what is being built.
 

Carter

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Anthony Brown flat out stinks. He got benched last season for his terrible play.

Lewis is a Slot Corner naturally cause of his limited size but great reaction instincts and being not afraid to tackle.

Im pretty confident that Diggs Starts Day 1 and they will go with Awuzie and Diggs on the Edge and Lewis starts in the Slot.

Dont sleep on Robinson too. Hes McClays Pet Cat and has a Chance to become a Starter in that weak CB Competition if he has a great Camp.
 
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