Cowboys switched to 4-3 in 2013.
They normally keep 16 or 15 (DL + LB).
Year …….. DL …. LB …….. Total
2013 …….. 9 …….. 7 …….. 16 …….. Wilber as LB
2014 ……..11 ……..7 …….. 18 …….. 10 DL after week 2
2015 ……..10 ……..6 …….. 16 …….. 1 LB Suspended
2016 …….. 8 …….. 7 …….. 15 …….. 2 DL Suspended
2017 …….. 8 …….. 7 …….. 15 …….. 3 DL Suspended
2018 …….. 9 …….. 7 …….. 16
Super early predictions in
bold: ultimately I went with 10DL and 6LBers. Obviously injuries could easily destroy my predictions, but I love the overall depth of this group.. and we didn’t include the possibility of Randy Gregory being available. Most of my comments are obvious, but there seems to always be a few surprises each year.
Caveat: I’m sure I’ll change my opinion after we get to see these guys on the field, so please don’t chastise me too much.. hence, super early predictions.
1. DE
Demarcus Lawrence (Lock)
2. DE
Robert Quinn (Lock)
3. DE
Taco Charlton (Unfortunately, I believe he’s a lock unless of course a team gets crazy and wants to trade a mid Rd pick for him. Trust me, I’m not a fan of Taco, but my gut tells me he will either shine this year or be on the DL all year.. either way he’s here)
4. DL Kerry Hyder (Far from a lock and if one of these young guys prove worthy in camp, he’ll be gone)
5. DL
Tyrone Crawford (I’d love one of the young guys to push his contract off the books, but Tyrone is just good enough & versatile to last another year)
6. DT
Trysten Hill (Lock and hopefully he’s a beast)
7. DT Maliek Collins (I’m not convinced his feet will hold up. I wish he could be the guy he was his rookie year, but injuries have ruined him. I personally believe he’ll end up on PUP)
8. DT
Antwaun Woods (Proved he could play last year, but I believe he plays at his ceiling..if a young guy plays at his level and has more potential, he may be a surprise cut.. See Daniel Wise)
9. DT
Christian Covington (this years Antwaun Woods. Intriguing player, but definitely not a lock. They did go after him for a reason though..he’ll have to prove it to stick)
10. DE
Dorance Armstrong (showed flashes when given a chance, an offseason in the weight room proves beneficial and will surprise folks)
10. DE
Joe Jackson (Could potentially be our new Tyron Crawford, but has to prove it. If cut, he will move on and land on another team with less talent. Kid is under rated and would be a great rotational player..just not sure if he’ll make this squad year 1)
10. DE Jalen Jelks (Practice Squad- has potential as a situational passer, I.e. Randy Gregory, but needs a year to get stronger)
10. DT
Daniel Wise (Surprise addition, I believe he shows enough to make the team as a 3T. One of the veterans goes to DL and makes the decision easy)
10. DT
Daniel Ross (Seen enough, cut)
10. DT
Shakir Soto (Cut)
Linebackers seem easy to predict:
Current Roster Linebackers:
1. LB
Leighton Vander Esch (lock)
2. LB
Jaylon Smith (lock)
3. LB
Sean Lee (lock)
4. LB
Joe Thomas (lock, insurance)
5. LB Justin March-Lillard (I cant say he’s a lock, definitely expendable if a younger guy with more upside can play ST)
6. LB
Chris Covington (ST and they like him. Not a lock per se, but I’d say it’ll be hard to knock him off.. exp at his price tag)
7. LB Kyle Queiro (could challenge Covington, but I think another year of Practice Squad is his future)
7. LB Nate Hall (cut)
7. LB Justin Phillips (cut, maybe practice squad)
7. LB Andrew Dowell (cut)
7. LB
Luke Gifford (under rated player with tons of potential and will sneak on the 53. Maybe he takes March-Lillards spot or they go long at the position for ST purposes)
