What stands out in Dallas' first slate before Week 1?

FRISCO – The Cowboys announced their first 53-man roster on Tuesday.

What you see on this initial list will change by next weekend’s season opener in Cleveland. CeeDee Lamb’s return comes at just the right time. He’ll complete three training camps starting Tuesday before things get serious next week. Deuce Vaughn, Buddy Johnson, Israel Mukuamu and Jalen Brooks have earned spots on the roster.

Here is our analysis of the Cowboys 53:

quarterback

NO.	NAME	Cash register system	HT	WT	AGE	EXP
4	Daniel Prescott	QB	6-2	228	31	9
10	Cooper Rush	QB	6-3	224	30	7
19	Trey Lance	QB	6-4	226	24	4

The battle for second place lasted just one day in training camp. Rush was the favorite from start to finish and Lance’s struggles in the final preseason game showed that he is still developing.

Run back

NO.	NAME	Cash register system	HT	WT	AGE	EXP
23	Rico Dowdle	RB	5-11	218	26	5
15	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	6:0	226	29	9
40	Hunter Luepke	Facebook	6-1	245	24	2
42	Deuce Vaughn	RB	5-5	180	22	2

The Cowboys have chosen the experienced Elliott and two other players who provide speed and agility in the running game. Luepke is popular with the coaches for his blocking skills, but don’t be surprised if he gets a few passes thrown his way. If the Cowboys sign Dalvin Cook to the practice squad, he could be a backup if Elliott struggles.

Wide receiver

NO.	NAME	Cash register system	HT	WT	AGE	EXP
83	Jalen Brooks	WR	6-1	203	24	2
3	Brandin cooks	WR	5-10	193	30	11
18	Ryan Flournoy	WR	6-1	202	24	R
1	Jalen Tolbert	WR	6-1	200	25	3
9	KaVontae Turpin	WR	5-7	155	28	3

Don’t worry, CeeDee Lamb will be on the roster. The Cowboys will have to do some roster maneuvering before they activate Lamb from the Reserve/Commissioners Exempt List. Brooks, a seventh-round pick last year, and Tolbert, a third-round pick in 2022, are among the players on the roster who have improved the most.

Tight end

NO.	NAME	Cash register system	HT	WT	AGE	EXP
87	Jake Ferguson	TE	6-5	252	25	3
86	Lukas Schoonmaker	TE	6-5	255	25	2
47	Brevyn Spann-Ford	TE	6-6	260	24	R
81	John Stephens	TE	6-6	245	24	2

Ferguson had a fantastic training camp and is on the verge of a great season. This post-Ferguson group is difficult to gauge. Everyone struggled with inconsistencies during training camp. One wonders if Schoonmaker, a second-round pick last year, will improve his game in year two.

Offensive line

NO.	NAME	Cash register system	HT	WT	AGE	EXP
66	TJ Bass	G	6-4	315	25	2
56	Cooper Beebe	G/C	6-3	322	23	R
71	Chuma Edoga	T	6-4	315	27	6
60	Tyler Guyton	T	6-7	322	22	R
67	Brock Hoffman	C/G	6-4	315	25	2
70	Zack Martin	G	6-4	315	33	11
76	Asim Richards	T/G	6-4	315	23	2
73	Thomas B.	G	6-5	320	23	3
78	Terence Steele	T	6-6	320	27	5
79	Matt Waletzko	T	6-8	320	24	3

Edoga (foot) will be placed on the injured list and may return later in the season. This move allows Lamb to enter the 53rd. The Cowboys’ swing tackles are Asim Richards and Matt Waletzko. We believe Hoffman and Guyton will start in Week 1 in Cleveland. Tyler Smith is the best lineman on the team.

Defensive line

NO.	NAME	Cash register system	HT	WT	AGE	EXP
99	Chauncey Golston	EN	6-5	285	26	4
93	Joseph Linval	NT	6-4	329	35	15
94	Marshawn Knieland	EN	6-3	267	23	R
90	DeMarcus Lawrence	EN	6-3	254	32	11
97	Osa Odighizuwa	DT	6-2	294	26	4
11	Michael Parsons	EN	6-3	250	25	4
98	Jordan Phillips	DT	6-6	341	31	10
58	Mazi Smith	DT	6-3	328	23	2
91	Tyre wheat	LB	6-2	263	24	2

After some back and forth in training camp, the line seems clear. Phillips and Joseph are veterans who provide depth. The Cowboys need a lot from Kneeland in his rookie season. That’s a lot to ask, but with Sam Williams (knee) out for the season, he becomes the starter. Carl Lawson was surprisingly released and if he’s signed to the practice squad, it’s good to have a veteran waiting to play.

Linebackers

NO.	NAME	Cash register system	HT	WT	AGE	EXP
18	Damone Clark	LB	6-2	245	24	3
57	Buddy Johnson	LB	6-2	240	25	2
50	Eric Kendricks	LB	6:0	232	32	10
35	Marist Liufau	LB	6-2	234	23	R
13	DeMarvion outshines	LB	6-3	230	24	2

A strong group is led by Kendricks, a 10-year veteran who knows defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s system well. Overshown and Clark are talented players under 25 with promising futures. Liufau, a third-round pick, had a strong training camp.

Cornerbacks

NO.	NAME	Cash register system	HT	WT	AGE	EXP
25	Andreas Boettcher	CB	6:0	200	23	3
41	Carson Artists	CB	6:0	193	22	R
7	Trevon Diggs	CB	6-1	204	25	5
24	Israel Mukuamu	CB	6-4	205	24	4
2	Jourdan Lewis	CB	5-10	190	28	8

DaRon Bland (reserve/injured) is out until October as he recovers from foot surgery, so Carson and Diggs are the projected starters at the outside position in Week 1. Lewis is the slot corner. Lewis, Diggs, Mukuamu and Carson have had strong practices.

Collateral

NO.	NAME	Cash register system	HT	WT	AGE	EXP
28	Malik Hooker	S	6-1	215	28	8
30	Juanyeh Thomas	S	6-1	215	24	2
6	Donovan Wilson	S	6:0	205	29	6
14	Marquese Bell	S	6-2	218	24	3

The safety group doesn’t get enough attention. Hooker and Wilson are a strong combination at the back.

Specialists

NO.	NAME	Cash register system	HT	WT	AGE	EXP
5	Bryan Anger	P	6-3	214	35	13
17	Brandon Aubrey	K	6-3	208	29	2
44	Trent Victory	LS	6-3	240	29	7
29	CJ Goodwin	ST	6-3	195	34	9

Aubrey made a 66-yard field goal in the preseason. That’s enough said.

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