Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster projection (July surprises and more)

Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster: The trenches

Offensive line (9)

Tyron Smith, La’el Collins, Zack Martin, Connor Williams, Connor McGovern, Joe Looney, Tyler Biadasz, Brandon Knight, Adam Redmond

The Dallas Cowboys are set on the ends with La’el Collins and Tyron Smith. Smith is perennial Pro Bowler and Collins, having been Dallas’ best O-lineman in 2019, is on the cusp of that recognition himself. Zack Martin is arguably the Dallas Cowboys best overall player so he’s an absolute sure thing.

At left guard we have the Connors battling it out for the starting gig. Safe to say they’re both secure as top-100 picks in their respective drafts. And in the middle the rookie Biadasz and Joe Looney are competing to be Travis Frederick’s replacement at center.

All that’s left is young and cheap depth. Even though free agent signee, Cameron Erving is experienced and versatile, I don’t have him making the team. He’s safe but limited, which is the primary reason Dallas cut ties with their swing tackle, Cameron Fleming.

Brandon Knight is a promising swing tackle Dallas adores and Adam Redmond is a versatile interior option who shows promise. Both players are just as good as Erving, cheaper, younger, and hold better potential. I’m saying that gets the job done and they are the two that round out the position group.

Defensive line (10)

DeMarcus Lawrence, Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, Tyrone Crawford, Aldon Smith, Randy Gregory, Neville Gallimore, Antwaun Woods, Ron’Dell Carter, Dorance Armstrong Jr.

The Dallas Cowboys have been pretty transparent as to what they are going to do here. McCarthy has said he wants six pass-rushers and four defensive tackles on the roster this year so that’s exactly what I’m going to give him.

As we will discuss more tomorrow, unless Trysten Hill can play 1-tech, he’s on the outside looking in. That’s because Dallas already has their two 3-tech DTs in Gerald McCoy and Neville Gallimore. They want Dontari Poe and Antwaun Woods to be their 1-techs, but Woods has yet to sign his tender so the 4th and final spot is essentially up grabs still. But even if Woods refuses to play under the tag, Hill isn’t considered a 1-tech and it’s going to be tough for him become one.

As for the six edge players, DeMarcus Lawrence is the only absolute lock, but guys like Tyrone Crawford, Aldon Smith, Dorance Armstrong Jr, Joe Jackson, Bradley Anae, Jalen Jelks, Ron’Dell Carter, and Randy Gregory all have compelling cases.

There’s going to be a battle between Anae, Armstrong, and Jackson and only one (two at the most) are going to make the cut. As much as I like Anae and Jackson (and think either one of them could win a reserve spot), I think Armstrong has the ceiling the team likes the most. As a wildcard, Ron’Dell Carter, an UDFA Dallas paid significantly to sign, stands out as a pass-rushing specialist and wins a job.