Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster projection (post 2022 mini-camp edition)
By Reid Hanson
Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster projection: QB and RB
Quarterback (2)
Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush
The Dallas Cowboys are feeling pretty good with their QB2 situation here in 2022. Cooper Rush started and won his only start in 2021 and the Cowboys proved they could actually beat a good team with a bus driver at the helm (something we doubted for years).
In offseason work, Rush has looked head and shoulders better than the competition behind him (Will Grier and Ben DiNucci) and a virtual lock to take the top back-up spot again this season. We haven’t felt this good about a QB2 since Garrett Gilbert in 2021 (pause for “yikes”)
As we all know, things seemed one way heading into camp last year but Gilbert face-planted and the situation changed quite quickly. For as content as we are with Cooper Rush, he’s still a bad couple weeks of training camp away from missing the cut. Everyone has to earn their spot and one game in 2021 isn’t going to guarantee Rush a thing.
Running Back (4)
Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, JaQuan Hardy
The Dallas Cowboys typically keep four running backs on the roster and with Ezekiel Elliott coming off an injury-plagued year, I expect that to be true once again in 2022. For better or for worse, Zeke is once again the top dog this season and Tony Pollard is his unquestioned sidekick. Behind them is where things get fun.
The Cowboys typically shy away from the FB position so we can safely assume a pair of runners will be rounding out the depth again this season. With extra weight towards special teams, Rico Dowdle is the favorite to get the top back-up spot behind the main two. Dowdle has been a trusted member of the team in previous seasons and the best special teamer on the RB depth chart.
Behind him I’m giving JaQuan Hardy the leg up. While I love what guys like Aaron Shampklin and Malik Davis bring as developmental projects, Hardy has experience under his belt and special teams on his resume. The dark horse in it all is Nick Ralston. IF the Cowboys decide to go with a FB, Nick Ralston is the man – no question.