Dallas Cowboys Final 53-man Roster Prediction (2020 Mid-camp Edition)
By Reid Hanson
More Dallas Cowboys Offense
Tight End/Fullback (4)
Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, Blake Bell, Charlie Taumoepeau
The question you may be asking yourself is “why the hell is he lumping the tight ends and fullbacks together in one grouping?” Good question! Allow my friend Mike McCarthy to answer that one for ya…
"“The fullback position and tight end position is something that I’ve always kind of lumped together when you’re building your schematic menu…the ability to play multiple positions, both at the full back and tight end positions, will give us what we need schematically.”"
John Owning over at the Dallas Morning News did a great piece on this earlier in the month – detailing what that means based off McCarthy’s past.
The general idea is to confuse the defense as often as possible and having FBs that can play TE and TEs that can play FB, is a good way to go about doing that. This means there’s no pre-snap difference between 12 and 21 personnel and opposing defenses will need to pick guess. All of this explains why Charlie T makes the roster as the TE4/H-Back/FB1.
With Jamize Olawale opting out and Sewo Olonilua banged up, I’m not sure if Dallas will keep a true FB on the roster. That’s why I’m predicting Dallas to go short at FB on the 53, and elevating an extra RB like Sewo on game day early in the season. I still have hope for Sewo making the team at some point, I’m just not sure there’s enough time in camp to make it in Week 1.
Running Back (2)
It’s a little strange to go into the season with just Zeke and Pollard at RB. And even more strange to not have a true FB (we explained the Charlie T and Sewo O situation above, though) but with a roster this loaded, it doesn’t make sense to cut a better player at a different position just to keep a lesser player who fills a lesser role.
Looking at the true ball carriers, Zeke and Pollard are plenty. The Dallas Cowboys are using more 21 sets than before and that is by utilizing both Zeke and Pollard at the same time. McCarthy’s getting creative in using them in both phases of the game.
Related Story. Getting Tony Pollard and Zeke on the field together. light
The Cowboys are still going to be a 11-personnel-heavy team, but these 2RB sets are gonna be fun to watch (see also Kyle Shanahan’s playbook).
Roster Spots Used: 18/53