Opening Day 53 Man Roster Predictions **merged**

[XxTDxX]

Offense: 25

QB(3) - Tony Romo, Brandon Weeden - Vaughan gets cut. This roster is too deep to justify using a spot on a 3rd QB. This team is in win now mode and needs to put together the best 53 man roster they can. If Vaughan has a phenomenal Pre-Season then I could see Weeden being the one to lose his spot

FB(1) - Tyler Clutts - Pretty straight forward here.. The Cowboys cleary like Clutts and want to have a Fullback on the roster.

RB(4) - Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, Ryan Williams - Cowboys will be going more with a RB by committee this season which justifies keeping 4 RBs especially with 3 of the 4 having lengthy injury histories

TE(3) - Jason Witten, Gavin Escobar, James Hanna - I was thinking about giving the 3rd spot to Geoff Swaim but the Cowboys like Hanna's blocking ability and he is a core special teams player as well.

WR(6) - Dez Bryant, Terrence Williams, Cole Beasley, Devin Street, Lucky Whitehead, Deontay Greenberry - the first 4 are obvious picks but I believe that the Cowboys will keep Whitehead around as a return specialist and I also believe Greenberry will prove to be too talented to let go.

OT(4) - Tyron Smith, Doug Free, Darrion Weems, Chaz Green - Weems will finally step into the role of the swing tackle and Green can be a backup at both guard and tackle

OG(3) - Zack Martin, Ronald Leary, LaEl Collins - Only 3 guards may seem a little thin but that is also because I listed Mackenzy Bernadeau as a center. Both Bernadeau and Chaz Green could fill in at guard if need be.

C(2) - Travis Frederick, Mackenzy Bernadeau - This is pretty straight forward, Bernadeau will be the backup center


Defense: 25

DT(5) - Tyrone Crawford, Nick Hayden, Terrell McClain, Davon Coleman, Ken Bishop - I wanted to find a spot for Chris Whale here but with guys like Mincey, Russell, Gardner, and Greg Hardy (upon return) having he ability to play at 3 technique I could not justify a spot for him.

DE(5) - DeMarcus Lawrence, Jeremy Mincey, Randy Gregory, Ryan Russell, Ben Gardner - Jack Crawford is the wild card here because the Cowboys do love his versatility but I think they have a ton of versatility already.. I think Gardner edges him out.. When Hardy comes back from suspension someone will lose their spot

MLB(2) - Rolando McClain, Jasper Brinkley - The LBs are very versatile.. Hitchens could play here as well.. Cam Lawrence and Gachkar both get cut

OLB(4) - Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, Kyle Wilber, Damien Wilson - Keith Rivers gets cut

CB(6) - Orlando Scandrick, Brandon Carr, Byron Jones, Morris Claiborne, Tyler Patmon, Corey White - Both white and Jones can play safety as well.. Lots of versatility with the DB group

S(3) - Barry Church, JJ Wilcox, Jeff Heath - Heath stays around because of his ST ability and work ethic.


Special Teams: 3

K(1) - Dan Bailey

P(1) - Chris Jones

LS(1) - LP LaDouceur


Practice Squad: 10
George Farmer (WR)
Dustin Vaughan (QB)
Chris Whaley (DT)
Shane McDermott (C)
Efe Obada (DE)
Ray Agnew (FB)
Mark Nzeocha (LB)
Laurence Gibson (OT)
Antoine Goodley (WR)
Geoff Swaim (TE)

 

[Alexander]

Went deep at DT, thin at S. DT makes sense as the real battleground outside of LB. With the flex of White and even Jones, carrying the fourth safety makes a little sense, especially since the choices are Heath versus McCray.

I do think you are giving players like Davon Coleman a little too much slack. I think he's gone, probably sooner than the final cuts if he keeps being lazy.

 

[blindzebra]

You have 26 on offense.

 

[guag]

What has Kyle Wilbur done for us... ever? Don't really see how he fits in this defense.

 

[xwalker]

You have 26 on offense.

He had 3 for QBs was was only keeping 2.

 

[xwalker]

Offense: 25

QB(3) - Tony Romo, Brandon Weeden - Vaughan gets cut. This roster is too deep to justify using a spot on a 3rd QB. This team is in win now mode and needs to put together the best 53 man roster they can. If Vaughan has a phenomenal Pre-Season then I could see Weeden being the one to lose his spot

FB(1) - Tyler Clutts - Pretty straight forward here.. The Cowboys cleary like Clutts and want to have a Fullback on the roster.

RB(4) - Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, Ryan Williams - Cowboys will be going more with a RB by committee this season which justifies keeping 4 RBs especially with 3 of the 4 having lengthy injury histories

TE(3) - Jason Witten, Gavin Escobar, James Hanna - I was thinking about giving the 3rd spot to Geoff Swaim but the Cowboys like Hanna's blocking ability and he is a core special teams player as well.

WR(6) - Dez Bryant, Terrence Williams, Cole Beasley, Devin Street, Lucky Whitehead, Deontay Greenberry - the first 4 are obvious picks but I believe that the Cowboys will keep Whitehead around as a return specialist and I also believe Greenberry will prove to be too talented to let go.

OT(4) - Tyron Smith, Doug Free, Darrion Weems, Chaz Green - Weems will finally step into the role of the swing tackle and Green can be a backup at both guard and tackle

OG(3) - Zack Martin, Ronald Leary, LaEl Collins - Only 3 guards may seem a little thin but that is also because I listed Mackenzy Bernadeau as a center. Both Bernadeau and Chaz Green could fill in at guard if need be.

C(2) - Travis Frederick, Mackenzy Bernadeau - This is pretty straight forward, Bernadeau will be the backup center


Defense: 25

DT(5) - Tyrone Crawford, Nick Hayden, Terrell McClain, Davon Coleman, Ken Bishop - I wanted to find a spot for Chris Whale here but with guys like Mincey, Russell, Gardner, and Greg Hardy (upon return) having he ability to play at 3 technique I could not justify a spot for him.

DE(5) - DeMarcus Lawrence, Jeremy Mincey, Randy Gregory, Ryan Russell, Ben Gardner - Jack Crawford is the wild card here because the Cowboys do love his versatility but I think they have a ton of versatility already.. I think Gardner edges him out.. When Hardy comes back from suspension someone will lose their spot

MLB(2) - Rolando McClain, Jasper Brinkley - The LBs are very versatile.. Hitchens could play here as well.. Cam Lawrence and Gachkar both get cut

OLB(4) - Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, Kyle Wilber, Damien Wilson - Keith Rivers gets cut

CB(6) - Orlando Scandrick, Brandon Carr, Byron Jones, Morris Claiborne, Tyler Patmon, Corey White - Both white and Jones can play safety as well.. Lots of versatility with the DB group

S(3) - Barry Church, JJ Wilcox, Jeff Heath - Heath stays around because of his ST ability and work ethic.


Special Teams: 3

K(1) - Dan Bailey

P(1) - Chris Jones

LS(1) - LP LaDouceur


Practice Squad: 10
George Farmer (WR)
Dustin Vaughan (QB)
Chris Whaley (DT)
Shane McDermott (C)
Efe Obada (DE)
Ray Agnew (FB)
Mark Nzeocha (LB)
Laurence Gibson (OT)
Antoine Goodley (WR)
Geoff Swaim (TE)

Green could go on PUP/IR.

They paid Gachkar significant guaranteed money. They normally keep 7 LBs.

My guess is Whaley over Coleman.

I "feel" like Swaim will make it somehow.

The 6th WR will have to do something spectular in the preseason to get a spot. Most of those guys can likely be retained on the PS.

 

[speedkilz88]

Efe Obada would be an 11th practice squad player. There is a special spot for foreign players.

 

[waving monkey]

Green could go on PUP/IR.

They paid Gachkar significant guaranteed money. They normally keep 7 LBs.

My guess is Whaley over Coleman.

I "feel" like Swaim will make it somehow.

The 6th WR will have to do something spectular in the preseason to get a spot. Most of those guys can likely be retained on the PS.

You covered my Whaley opinion. I think Vaughan kept on unless beat out. They keep 3 QB.
Thery keep Swaim and possibly let Clutt walk. They made the extra effort to draft Swaim

 

[Idgit]

Don't think we will justify 4 RBs. Don't think we'll keep 6 WRs. I think they like Crawford quite a bit for his precarious roster position, so it'll be interesting to see how they handle those DTs.

Gachkar is here for STs. I doubt he's cut. He can have that extra RB position since that 4th RB isn't going to play Teams very well.

TE will be an interesting position to see what they do. I'd have thought they were set there and would have just picked up a street resource. But then they traded up for Swaim, and say he can play the Y for them, and that's something they've been looking at for years. If they think he can, he's going to get a roster spot, which means Hannah or Escobar (probably Hannah, given his contract status) could be trade or cut bait.

I think Vaughan stays another year unless he craps out in his preseason games.

 

[AbeBeta]

The 6th WR will have to do something spectular in the preseason to get a spot. Most of those guys can likely be retained on the PS.

6 wr seems very unlikely as unless he's on all the ST, he won't dress. Actually, if he was on all the ST, he'd be your 5th WR. So unless we think we've found a real gem, we try to get the guy on the PS.

 

[jazzcat22]

Offense: 25 I have 24

QB(3) - Tony Romo, Brandon Weeden - Vaughan gets cut. This roster is too deep to justify using a spot on a 3rd QB. This team is in win now mode and needs to put together the best 53 man roster they can. If Vaughan has a phenomenal Pre-Season then I could see Weeden being the one to lose his spot
They thought too much of Vaughan last year and kept him on the roster as a 3rd QB, they like Weeded for his game experience. They keep all 3.

FB(1) - Tyler Clutts - Pretty straight forward here.. The Cowboys cleary like Clutts and want to have a Fullback on the roster.
Agree. They need a FB, every year they try the TE experiment, every year they bring a FB in. Garrett likes the use of the traditional FB.

RB(4) - Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, Ryan Williams - Cowboys will be going more with a RB by committee this season which justifies keeping 4 RBs especially with 3 of the 4 having lengthy injury histories
They keep 3, I think they need the roster spot for other positions, especially since they keep 3 QB's. What does a 4thQB really bring, unless he can return kicks and punts and play other ST's. Dunbar is the odd man out for now.

TE(3) - Jason Witten, Gavin Escobar, James Hanna - I was thinking about giving the 3rd spot to Geoff Swaim but the Cowboys like Hanna's blocking ability and he is a core special teams player as well.
This is my 3 also, but somehow they want to justify trading for Swaim, so I think he makes it and Hanna could be traded. I don't think they can keep Swaim on PS though. But he was a 7th rounder, and I still think it was a wasted trade. Or they could have picked him instead of another LB.

WR(6) - Dez Bryant, Terrence Williams, Cole Beasley, Devin Street, Lucky Whitehead, Deontay Greenberry - the first 4 are obvious picks but I believe that the Cowboys will keep Whitehead around as a return specialist and I also believe Greenberry will prove to be too talented to let go.
I would like it if they keep 6, but they have not done that in past few years. The best ST's contributor as well as PR/KR makes it. Whitehead, Greenberry, Farmer, Goodley. A 6th WR will really need to impress to keep him. The ones not kept, 2 will make it to the PS. I am saying Farmer for now makes the team.

OT(4) - Tyron Smith, Doug Free, Darrion Weems, Chaz Green - Weems will finally step into the role of the swing tackle and Green can be a backup at both guard and tackle
OG(3) - Zack Martin, Ronald Leary, LaEl Collins - Only 3 guards may seem a little thin but that is also because I listed Mackenzy Bernadeau as a center. Both Bernadeau and Chaz Green could fill in at guard if need be.
C(2) - Travis Frederick, Mackenzy Bernadeau - This is pretty straight forward, Bernadeau will be the backup center
I usually base OL on keeping 8, But depends on if Green starts on PUP or not too. I agree here as Weems makes it depending on Green. Gibson to PS

Defense: 25 I have 26

DT(5) - Tyrone Crawford, Nick Hayden, Terrell McClain, Davon Coleman, Ken Bishop - I wanted to find a spot for Chris Whale here but with guys like Mincey, Russell, Gardner, and Greg Hardy (upon return) having he ability to play at 3 technique I could not justify a spot for him.
DE(5) - DeMarcus Lawrence, Jeremy Mincey, Randy Gregory, Ryan Russell, Ben Gardner - Jack Crawford is the wild card here because the Cowboys do love his versatility but I think they have a ton of versatility already.. I think Gardner edges him out.. When Hardy comes back from suspension someone will lose their spot
I am going with 11 here, unless there turns out to be a big separation in TC amongst the DL. And because of Hardy being suspended.
I think Gardner may be pushed by Lavar Edwards, and for now have him over Gardner. I think Whaley makes it over Coleman. Why was Coleman replaced last year all of a sudden, I think his lazier work ethics gets him replaced. Jack Crawford could push for this spot too. Maybe but doubt it, Coleman comes through and a combination of guys pushes Hayden off the roster. But all the guys in question could very well make the initial roster until Hardy returns.

MLB(2) - Rolando McClain, Jasper Brinkley - The LBs are very versatile.. Hitchens could play here as well.. Cam Lawrence and Gachkar both get cut
OLB(4) - Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, Kyle Wilber, Damien Wilson - Keith Rivers gets cut
I have them keeping 7. Gachkar makes the team, as said, even if just for his ST's play and depth at LB. It's time for Wilber to be replaced. The 7th spot goes to Rivers or Cam Lawrence. If Lawrence is kept only for his ST's play. But time to move on from him too. So I say Rivers surprises and stays.

CB(6) - Orlando Scandrick, Brandon Carr, Byron Jones, Morris Claiborne, Tyler Patmon, Corey White - Both white and Jones can play safety as well.. Lots of versatility with the DB group
S(3) - Barry Church, JJ Wilcox, Jeff Heath - Heath stays around because of his ST ability and work ethic.
I have these as my main 9 players also. Heath because of his ST's play. However, from what little I heard about Wilson from OTA's he may push Heath. Or McCray.
But does Heath play better S than McCray...yikes... but at least can still learn, McCray offers nothing here.


Special Teams: 3
K(1) - Dan Bailey
P(1) - Chris Jones
LS(1) - LP LaDouceur
agree

Practice Squad: 10
George Farmer (WR), if Farmer makes the team, Whitehead or Greenberry here
Dustin Vaughan (QB), on the 53
Chris Whaley (DT), on the 53
Shane McDermott (C), might go with Fortenberry here for an OL, but we do need to develop a C. wonder if fortenberry can play C. Only going on info from OTA's from what I read.
Efe Obada (DE)
Ray Agnew (FB), I don't think he is PS eligible, put Davis here or now
Mark Nzeocha (LB)
Laurence Gibson (OT)
Antoine Goodley (WR)
Geoff Swaim (TE)[/quote]
add another WR here from above depending on other position needs. 3 WR's may be too many on PS
will need a DB on the PS, possibly 2.
There always seem to be a few PS guys signed from released players from other teams.

A few roster spots will be determined by how many games Hardy is suspended for, and the play of the DL until his return.
As well as if who is on PUP, Green, and though reports on Mo's recovery, will he be on PUP.

 

[USMarineVet]

I'd rather take my chances with Vaughn than with Weeden. Weeden has had enough time to showcase what he can do. I'm more intrigued with what Vaughn may be able to do than what I already know Weeden is going to do.

I'm not buying into all this Weeden hype this off-season. If Romo goes down, (knock on wood) our season has a slim to none chance of advancing through the playoffs. My opinion, of course. But I don't see Weeden carrying this team at any point whether that's this year or any other. He used multiple excuses as to why he lost the Arizona game, rather than taking personal responsibility as all players should do in an interview. When Cleveland cuts you, there's a reason.

1st Season Browns - 14 TDs, 17 INTs, 3 Fumbles
2nd Season Browns - 9 TDs, 9 INTs, 6 Fumbles
1st Season Cowboys - 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 0 Fumbles

Pass... Give me the younger, unproven Vaughn and let's see what he can do if the situation arises. It will also open up a roster spot for a player on the bubble who can actually benefit us this season. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I think Hanna gets traded during TC.

I also anticipate Swaim beating out Clutts.

 

[chris1995]

What has Kyle Wilbur done for us... ever? Don't really see how he fits in this defense.

Wilber is a goner.

 

[guag]

Wilber is a goner.

Even though we haven't been able to see much from Gachkar yet, I think there's a good chance he makes the team over Wilbur. They're roughly the same age, and we already know what we have in Wilbur. Yeah, Wilbur was drafted in the 4th round, but I just feel like he might be too big to play OLB in this defense at 6'4" 245. And unless he had the same abilities as Gregory, too small to play DE. Admittedly, Gachkar isn't much smaller at 6'3" 240, but he's much faster at 4.58 in the 40 vs. 4.86 for Wilbur.

I don't know. Maybe he steps up in camp, but at this point I'd rather roll with the new toy (Gachkar). I think ultimately it will come down to whoever is better as special teams, and I think Gach has the edge there, having played primarily special teams his first few seasons. The fact that we threw some money at him in free agency earlier in the year helps his chances too. He also played with Bisaccia in San Diego and Eberflus in college, so I think he'll have those guys on his side (http://www.nbcdfw.com/blogs/blue-st...-Draw-Andrew-Gachkar-to-Dallas-310101541.html).

 

[speedkilz88]

Gachkar was given a 1.2 million SB and is a top STs player.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

QB: Romo Weeden Vaughn - Weeden and Vaughn both show improvement.
RB: Randle DMC Dunbar - Williams needs a big preseason to supplant one of those three.
TE: Witten Escobar Hanna Swaim - Clutts was not very good blocking on special teams and stinks at coverage. He is a passable blocker out of the I but Swaim is a more dynamic option and they targeted him.
WR: Bryant Williams Beasley Street Whitehead - 5th spot is a guess. Whitehead has to prove he can return kicks in August. Loss of Harris' snaps on offense could be taken up by Escobar, Swaim, Street, or Beasley.
OT: Smith Free Weems Gibson - Green will start PUP and is a strong IR possibility.
OG/C: Fred Martin Leary/Collins Bernadeau Fortenberry - Cowboys seem to be looking for a fit along the line for Fortenberry so he has the inside track. I have no idea who starts at LG.
DE: DLaw Mincey Gregory Gardner Russell - Hardy is unlikely to not miss time on suspension.
DT: Crawford Hayden McClain Bishop Whaley - There is enough talent on DL that they no longer need to put up with Coleman. Jack Crawford could prove me wrong. I understand this position least on the Cowboys.
LB: Lee McClain Hitchens Wilson Gachkar Brinkley - Wilber goes to a 3-4 team like the Saints.
CB: Scandrick Carr Jones Claiborne Patmon - Claiborne could very easily wash out.
S: Wilcox Church White Heath McCray - pretty much default. Heath and McCray are excellent cover guys on ST.
ST: Bailey Jones Frenchy: oh yeah.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Green could go on PUP/IR.

They paid Gachkar significant guaranteed money. They normally keep 7 LBs.

My guess is Whaley over Coleman.

I "feel" like Swaim will make it somehow.

The 6th WR will have to do something spectular in the preseason to get a spot. Most of those guys can likely be retained on the PS.

I think they trade Hanna later in preseason.

 

[darthseinfeld]

QB: Romo Weeden Vaughn - Weeden and Vaughn both show improvement.
RB: Randle DMC Dunbar - Williams needs a big preseason to supplant one of those three.
TE: Witten Escobar Hanna Swaim - Clutts was not very good blocking on special teams and stinks at coverage. He is a passable blocker out of the I but Swaim is a more dynamic option and they targeted him.
WR: Bryant Williams Beasley Street Whitehead - 5th spot is a guess. Whitehead has to prove he can return kicks in August. Loss of Harris' snaps on offense could be taken up by Escobar, Swaim, Street, or Beasley.
OT: Smith Free Weems Gibson - Green will start PUP and is a strong IR possibility.
OG/C: Fred Martin Leary/Collins Bernadeau Fortenberry - Cowboys seem to be looking for a fit along the line for Fortenberry so he has the inside track. I have no idea who starts at LG.
DE: DLaw Mincey Gregory Gardner Russell - Hardy is unlikely to not miss time on suspension.
DT: Crawford Hayden McClain Bishop Whaley - There is enough talent on DL that they no longer need to put up with Coleman. Jack Crawford could prove me wrong. I understand this position least on the Cowboys.
LB: Lee McClain Hitchens Wilson Gachkar Brinkley - Wilber goes to a 3-4 team like the Saints.
CB: Scandrick Carr Jones Claiborne Patmon - Claiborne could very easily wash out.
S: Wilcox Church White Heath McCray - pretty much default. Heath and McCray are excellent cover guys on ST.
ST: Bailey Jones Frenchy: oh yeah.

If they do HBBC i could se a 4th HB, but I don't think that 4th is on the roster right now. I think you could see a Shonn Green type added late in preseason after cuts as a short yardage back. Or basically a player to fill a role they dont feel they have covered.

I think Williams is a guy that could be a mid season street FA if we need to bring someone in due to injury

 

[xwalker]

I think they trade Hanna later in preseason.

Hanna was a big part of the running game last season.

I didn't realize it at the time, but in reviewing games this off-season, I noticed a key block by Hanna on many of Murray's runs.

Hanna's not overly powerful, but he knows how to get the job done and understands exactly what he is required to do within the scheme.

They've had some guys with good physical ability to block in training camp the past few years, but they didn't make the roster, it appears because they didn't execute the play precisely in preseason games. There was a guy a couple of years ago that was a really good point of attack blocker but he made mistakes and looked a little lost on plays where he had to line up in the backfield.

On the flip side, Hanna is a smallish blocking TE that is fast but rarely used as a receiver. I don't see other teams putting big value on that in terms of a trade. His great scheme knowledge most likely has more value to the Cowboys than to other teams.

I would like to see if Swaim can replace the FB. He played some FB in college. It's not as if Clutts is a powerful blocker.