Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster prediction (post-draft edition)
By Reid Hanson
Dallas Cowboys defensive line (10): Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Mazi Smith, Osa Odighizuwa, Johnathan Hankins, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, Chauncey Golston, Neville Gallimore
Yes, Parsons is a lineman. He plays more EDGE than anything (and rightfully so) so we might as well count him with the linemen. Lawrence is locked in again to be the No. 2 D-lineman on the roster. I’m predicting that as Sam Williams and Armstrong develop, Lawrence will see more snaps inside at the 3-tech.
Smith and Hankins are the 1-techs with Golston splitting time between DE and 3-tech. Gallimore hangs on for one more season since he can play both DT roles in a pinch and Quinton Bohanna ends up on the wrong side of the bubble since he’s only a run-stuffer and the Cowboys have two of those already.
Linebacker (5) Leighton Vander Esch, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, Jabril Cox, Devin Harper
The Dallas Cowboys rarely use more than two LBs at a time. They play a lot of big nickel that uses extra SAF so the need for a ton of extra LBs on the roster just isn’t what it used to be.
LVE and Clark are the clear starters at LB and it’s not even close. Behind them will be Overshown and Cox depending how each of the look in camp. Harper rounds out the unit because of his special teams ability and free agent signee Takk McKinley misses the cut. The converted DE will get caught on the wrong side of the bubble no matter which position he’s grouped with.