Post-Oxnard Dallas Cowboys Roster Prediction: Defense

With the Oxnard portion of training camp having wrapped up, it’s time to take a stab at how this roster is going to look come week one. There were several headlines during the Cowboys’ time on the west coast, with none being more crucial than the health of Dak Prescott.

While Dallas continues to play down the seriousness of the strained shoulder that has kept him out since padded practices began, one can’t help feeling like a kid on the doctor to the doctor. No matter how many times the parent says you’re not getting a shot, you know you’re not in the clear until you’re back in the car on the way home.

A second MRI certainly sounds like a parent changing their tone to “probably not.” Fans of America’s Team are not going to buy a word until Prescott is seen in the huddle when the Cowboys take the field against Tampa Bay.

Still, with everything we’ve seen thus far, here are my predictions for what the roster will look like following final cuts on August 31.

Dallas Cowboys Roster Prediction: Defense

DL: DeMarcus Lawrence, Carlos Watkins, Neville Gallimore, Brent Urban, Randy Gregory, Tarell Basham, Osa Odighizuwa, Quinton Bohanna, Dorance Armstrong, Chauncey Gholston (10)

The defensive line is a very similar place as the offensive line. There’s a good mix of talent, youth, and experience that will make for some tough decisions. Lawrence, Gregory, and Gallimore are returning players with significant roles heading into the year.

Urban, Watkins, and Basham are veterans brought in to play a short-term role as the Cowboys continue to overhaul this unit with young players that fit their mold. Odighizuwa, Gholston, and Bohanna are the first wave of young reinforcements that fit what Dan Quinn wants in his defense.

That’s nine players that should be guaranteed a spot with one exception. Gholston has been on the PUP list with a hamstring injury since camp opened, and if he doesn’t improve, he could very well end up on injured reserve.

That leaves several players with upside fighting for one or two spots. I went with Armstrong because I honestly believe this is the first time he’s been in a system that takes advantage of his strengths.

Coming out of Kansas, I thought his best fit was as a stand-up edge player, and this system will employ that a good portion of the time. However, plenty of others are capable of being that tenth player or even pushing to be an eleventh.

Other options

Justin Hamilton fits this system and looked every bit as impressive as Bohanna against Pittsburgh. Bradlee Anae was drafted a year ago with the expectation of being an edge-rushing presence in a reserve role.

Ron’Dell Carter is a similar player to Anae that was a priority-free agent following the draft a year ago. Those are three competent players without even including Trysten Hill in the conversation, who’s still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered last season.

It wouldn’t shock me a bit if Dallas chose to keep 11 here, but eventually, you have to question the numbers and the need. If the Cowboys believe Bohanna and Hamilton are their future at nose tackle, is it worth keeping Watkins on a one-year deal?

If Anae or Carter is a future edge player, are Armstrong or Basham worth keeping considering their contracts expire each of the next two years? If one of these players I have just missing the cut is worth keeping, a veteran probably needs to go.

As for Hill, getting healthy is priority number one. Still, with Gallimore and Odihizuwa in place, a change of scenery is likely in his future, signaling a frustrating end to a second-round pick that never really made sense in the first place.

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LB: Micah Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith, Keanu Neal, Jabril Cox (5)

Yes, I am going light at linebacker. Still, I’m doing so for good reason. This group of linebackers is as versatile as they are talented. Dallas has at least two players that can team up for any down and distance, which is a terrific situation to be in.

Keeping a sixth won’t be necessary, as it pertains to depth unless the Cowboys suffer several injuries at the position. The only reason to keep a sixth is for special teams’ purposes or the desire to hold on to a talented player.

While I like players like Francis Bernard and Luke Gifford, I’m not sure either possesses upside to force Dallas’ hand. They are capable special teams’ contributors, but so are some of the extra players I have them keeping, like Dowdle and Turner.

CB: Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Kelvin Joseph, Nashon Wright, Maurice Canady, Reggie Robinson (7)

Not only do I have the Cowboys going heavy at corner, I’ve got them going super heavy with seven. Diggs, Brown, and Lewis are the experienced players in this group, ensuring their spots on the roster.

In addition, Joseph and Wright were top-100 picks in this past draft and have flashed the ability to back up those selections. With five guys in place, Dallas has what they need for the 2021 season.

However, Canady has played like a man on a mission during the Cowboys’ time in Oxnard. He’s gotten his hands on passes and showed real promise as a slot option behind or in addition to Lewis, Brown, and Joseph.

He’s only 27 years old, and he has a history of playing special teams. If Dallas isn’t planning to keep him, I’d be shocked if another team didn’t attempt to acquire him before final cuts.

Also, I am going out on a limb with Robinson as a seventh. Still, Robinson was a fourth-round pick a year ago for good reason. He is talented and fits the build for what Quinn wants at corner.

After a year as a safety, he’s back at corner and looked very good against Pittsburgh in the Hall of Fame Game. Robinson is also a capable player on special teams, which was necessary to put him here.

S: Donovan Wilson, Damontae Kazee, Malik Hooker, Jayron Kearse (4)

Because I went heavy at several positions, I am going light here. However, I’m not exactly comfortable with it. Kazee and Hooker are coming off serious injuries a year ago, making this the riskiest proposal of my roster projection.

The one thing that gave me some comfort in this prediction is that Robinson has experience at safety. Still, if Dallas has any concerns with the health of Kazee or Hooker, I’m not only saying they should keep someone like Darian Thompson, Stephen Parker, Israel Mukuamu, but I’m also suggesting they reconsider their commitment to the player in question.

It would be a shame to lose a talented young player because they need an insurance policy for a player on a one-year contract. I get how talented Hooker and Kazee are, but considering the Cowboys’ future salary cap limitations, it’s unlikely either is here long-term if they play up their capabilities.

ST: Jake McQuaide, Greg Zuerlein, Hunter Niswander (3)

John Fassel has two of his former Rams in Dallas, with McQuaide taking over for L.P. Ladouceur, the Cowboys’ long-time stalwart at long snapper. While Zuerlein is still on the PUP list, there appears to be no concern among the staff about his week-one availability.

That only leaves the punter position in question. While Bryan Anger is a 10-year veteran, Hunter Niswander got all the reps in their first preseason game, and the ability he flashed a year ago to consistently boom punts 50 or more yards makes me believe the job is his to lose.

Still, the Cowboys have been relatively silent about their plans at the punter position, making this a toss-up. Some may be a little shocked that C.J. Goodwin’s name is not here, despite his contributions as a special teams ace over the years.

Still, Robinson’s long-term upside combined with his position versatility and special teams’ ability were the determining factors for leaving Goodwin off the roster. I know Fassel is a big fan of Goodwin, as are the Cowboys in general, but I’m not sure his presence outweighs the value of a future top-four cornerback.