Week 2 of the NFL preseason is here for the Dallas Cowboys and it's time for an updated look at the Cowboys Depth Chart. This depth chart is a hybrid of the Cowboys official/unofficial depth chart on their time website, where things currently stand based on Cowboys training camp and where things could end up at the end of the season.
Depth charts are written in sand (and some players are inflated on team versions to help boost trade values), so I've included a write-up on each position to help provide more background and explanation in addition to the video version.
QB:
Starter: Dak Prescott
Backup: Cooper Rush
3rd string: Mike White
4th string: Dalton Sturn
This one is pretty straight-forward. Dak is your starter (sorry Cooper Rush-truthers), with Rush holding a fairly safe lead over Mike White. I think White makes the roster, while Sturn is a mere camp arm.
RB:
Starter: Ezekiel Elliott
Backup: Rod Smith
3rd string: Bo Scarbrough
4th string: Darius Jackson
5th string: Trey Williams OR Jordan Chunn
Well obviously Zeke is the clear-cut starter. Rod Smith remains the top backup and that's not even a battle. What is a battle is Bo Scarbrough vs. Darius Jackson for the #3 back. Jackson was ahead of Scarbrough on the official depth chart, but Scarbrough got more work in the preseason. I think Scarbrough is the more talented back, but Jackson (for now) can offer more in the special teams area. I had some sneaky hopes for Williams, but I think I was wrong on that one.
FB:
Starter: Jamize Olawale
Pretty simple here, Olawale is your starting fullback.
WR 1:
Starter: Allen Hurns
Backup: Deonte Thompson
3rd string: Lance Lenoir
4th string: Mekale McKay
Injured Reserve: Cedrick Wilson
WR 2:
Starter: Terrance Williams
Backup: Michael Gallup
3rd string: Noah Brown
4th string: Ricky Jeune
Injured Reserve: Marchie Murdock
Slot:
Starter: Cole Beasley
Backup: Tavon Austin
3rd string: KD Cannon
4th string: Darren Carrington OR Dres Anderson
A lot to unpack here and don't get too caught up in the WR1/2/Slot designations, especially for the backups. Hurns and Beasley are two clear-cut starters, with Beasley set to play more on the outside this year. For now, Williams holds the starting nod over Michael Gallup (both in the preseason and on the official team depth chart). That won't be the case forever and if we get to the bye and Gallup isn't the starter, I'll be surprised. I'll list Austin in the slot behind Beasley, but he'll play pretty much everywhere and I'll continue to list him as basically an athlete. Lance Lenior is pretty damn close to being second string, thanks to injuries to Brown and Thompson. Brown is on the wrong side of the roster bubble right now, behind Lenior, while Thompson is the top deep threat right now. Cannon fits better in the slot (in my eyes), than McKay, but it's McKay who has fared better. All of those 4th string WRs and Cannon are practice squad options at best right now. Injuries have forced the Cowboys to carry more WRs than they'd like.
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TE:
Starter: Geoff Swaim OR Blake Jarwin
3rd string: Rico Gathers OR Dalton Schultz
4th string: David Wells
Lots of ORs here, at a position very much in flux. Swaim is the "starter," and he's the top blocker on the roster right now. Jarwin has looked sharp in camp and might emerge as the starter before the end of the preseason. As for Rico, I listed him as #3 in the video, because that's where he was on the Cowboys' official depth chart. But the reality is, Schultz is right there with him and got more reps against the 49ers. The video graphic doesn't support OR, but that's really where we're at. And in terms of projections, if the Cowboys carry 3 QBs and 6 or 7 WRs, that means 3 TEs is far more likely. And Dalton Schultz is making this roster before Gathers. I'm sorry Gathers truthers, but the Cowboys' staff is not as high on Gathers as you are. And you can call me a hater, but I think I like him even more than the staff too. Gathers has to show something against the Bengals (and be given the chance) or his roster status becomes even more in doubt. He can do things the rest of this TE group can't but continues to be a work in progress in other essential areas (blocking, consistency).
LT:
Starter: Tyron Smith
Backup: Cameron Fleming
3rd string: Korren Kirven
The most straight-forward position on the entire roster. Tyron is your elite starter, Fleming is the swing tackle and top backup, Kirven is a camp body.
LG:
Starter: Connor Williams
Backup: Kadeem Edwards
3rd string: Dustin Stanton
Williams is going to start at LG and I'm excited. He was a borderline 1st round talent on my NFL Draft Big Board last year. Edwards has an outside shot at making the roster, thanks to Marcus Martin's injury, but he faces a tough battle.
C:
Starter: Travis Frederick
Backup: Joe Looney
Injured Reserve: Marcus Maritn
Frederick is the best center in the game. Looney will be the top backup interior OL, able to play LG, RG and C. I'll list him at center and he'll continue to get reps with Frederick nursing shoulder stingers. Looney had the most snaps in Week 1 of the preseason and I'm curious if he'll get all of them against the Bengals, or if another guard will get some time late in the game.
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RG:
Starter: Zack Martin
Backup: Damien Mama
3rd string: Jacob Alsadek
Martin is the clear-cut starter, while Mama has an outside shot at making the roster. Alsadek was just signed to help provide depth.
RT:
Starter: La'el Collins
Backup: Chaz Green
3rd string: Jake Campos
Collins, again, is the obvious starter. I know many of you hate Chaz Green, but the Cowboys are going to give him every chance to make this roster. And frankly, with Martin hurt, Green is in decent shape to do so. He'll keep working at RT for the most part, but does offer the ability to play OG and positional flex matters to the Cowboys. Campos is one of several players the Cowboys might throw on the practice squad.
LDE:
Starter: DeMarcus Lawrence
Backup: Taco Charlton
3rd string: Dorance Armstrong
4th string: Charles Tapper
RDE:
Starter: Tyrone Crawford
Backup: Randy Gregory
3rd string: Kony Ealy
4th string: Austin Larkin
Okay, full disclosure, the DE and DT spots look different here than in the Depth Chart video, because I'm trying to get the names in more of an order of overall in that than here because there's more space. And, don't get caught up too much in R vs. L designation, beyond the starting two. Taco Charlton split his time almost 50-50 at each spot last year. Dorance Armstrong has wowed in camp and he might be an OR for the second string at either spot. I'm not sure we'll see Gregory vs. the Bengals, but he's looked good in camp and will get plenty of playing time in the nickel packages. Tapper and Ealy might be battling for just one roster spot. Tapper is the better pure pass rusher, showing flashes off the edge, while Ealy is no slouch either can I think can help more at DT if needed. Larkin might be a practice squad option. Overall, this is a really deep and talented group.
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1-Tech:
Starter: Antwaun Woods
Backup: Jihad Ward
3rd string: Brian Price
4th string: Richard Ash
3-Tech:
Starter: Maliek Collins
Backup: Datone Jones
3rd string: Lewis Neal OR Daniel Ross
Suspended: David Irving
Obviously, things will change once David Irving comes back. He'll likely start at the 3-tech, with Collins possibly kicking back to the 1-tech (even though he's better at the 3). Woods has impressed at camp and appears to have becomes the top true 1-tech on the roster. Ward can play that role (although, like Collins, he might be more of an ideal 3-tech). But, I'll list him as a back at the 1-tech because he'll play above the other 1-tech backups. Brian Price is fighting for a roster spot, but holds the lead above Richard Ash.
Collins, now off the PUP list, will start at the 3-tech. Datone Jones is a pet cat of mine and I like what he brings as a rotation defensive lineman. Lewis Neal and Daniel Ross are on the outside looking in at DT. I wouldn't mind a more reliable 1-tech, but the Cowboys missed on Terrell McClain and have no interest in Johnathan Hankins. A roster cut trade could be an option.
SLB:
Starter: Damien Wilson
Backup: Justin March-Lillard
3rd string: Chris Covington
4th string: Eric Pinkins
As of now, Wilson is the starter at the SAM LB spot, mostly set to play in base sets. March-Lillard has made some plays and is a good enough #5 or #6 LB. He'll help on special teams. Covington needs some development and is a prime practice squad option in my eyes (barring injuries).
MLB:
Starter: Jaylon Smith
Backup: Leighton Vander Esch
3rd string: Tre'Von Johnson OR Joel Lanning
Smith looks fantastic and there will be times he plays the SAM LB role in order to get Vander Esch, Smith and Lee on the field at the same time. Smith will get to blitz more as well this season. Vander Esch is a bit behind because of injuries, but at some point, he'll be the true starting MLB. In terms of nickel looks, Lee will be on the field the most, followed by Smith and Vander Esch to at least start the year. Johnson and Lanning are more practice squad guys at the moment.
WLB:
Starter: Sean Lee
Backup: Joe Thomas
3rd string: Kyle Queiro
I will fight anyone who doesn't put Sean Lee among the best linebackers in the NFL (when healthy). Joe Thomas has been a pleasant surprise and I feel better about the overall depth of the LBs than I have in quite some time. Thomas, once Vander Esch is up to speed and earning regular playing time, will be more of the team's #4 LB and can play WLB and MLB. Queiro was a safety at Northwestern and although he's a tweener (too slow for safety, too small for LB), I hope he gets some time on the practice squad.
CB:
Starter: Byron Jones AND Chidobe Awuzie
Nickel: Anthony Brown OR Jourdan Lewis
3rd string Outside: Marquez White OR Charvarius Ward
3rd string Nickel: Duke Thomas
4th string Outside: Donovan Olumba
Again, a lot to unpack so bare with him. Jones and Awuzie, if healthy, are the locked-in starters on the outside. Take your pick on which will be the "#1" guy: they're both gifted and will get chances against the #1 WR. Brown and Lewis remain locked in a battle for the nickel role. I badly want to see Lewis at that spot: I think he'd be among the NFL's best. But Brown has worked ahead of him, despite a poor preseason game and up-and-do camp.
As for the #5 CB role, that is WIDE open. Thomas has been stashed on the Cowboys' IR in the past, but isn't an ideal measurable fit and might be left out as a result. I think he's best in the slot. White was on the practice squad last year, while Ward has fared well in camp. I think Olumba is behind White and Ward as of now.
FS:
Starter: Xavier Woods
Backup: Marqueston Huff OR Tyree Robinson
3rd string: Kam Kelly
Woods is the obvious start at FS. If there's a #4 safety on the roster, it might come from one of backup free safety. Huff and Robinson are slightly above Kelly, who has been a disappointment so far. He was tried at corner, struggled, moved to safety and hasn't improved enough.
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SS:
Starter: Jeff Heath
Backup: Kavon Frazier
3rd String: Jameill Showers
Heath is going to start (sorry anti-Heathers), while Frazier is the #3 safety who will get playing time, especially on running downs. Showers has long been liked by the staff, but at a certain, point, he'll be out. He'll battle for the #4 role if a better option isn't brought in.
K:
Starter: Dan Bailey
Backup: Brett Maher
Emergency: Jeff Heath
P:
Starter: Chris Jones
Backup: Brett Maher
LS:
Starter: L.P. Ladouceur
Backup: Scott Daly
Bailey, Jones and Ladouceur are the specialists. Maher is the extra camp leg, while Daly is the extra camp snapper. Heath remains the emergency kicker.
KR:
Starter: Tavon Austin
Backup: Duke Thomas OR Trey Williams
Other Backups: Jourdan Lewis OR Darius Jackson OR Lance Lenior
PR:
Starter: Cole Beasley OR Tavon Austin
Backup: Lance Lenior OR Duke Thomas OR Jourdan Lewis
Okay, so the return depth chart is probably the biggest mess of any position. The likely Week 1 version, the way the Cowboys used players in Week 1 of the preseason and the listed depth chart are all totally different. I think Austin will get the real reps on kick returns, like he's done for the Rams. Behind him, Thomas and Williams got work in Week 1, but they might not make the roster. Other options like Jourdan Lewis and Lance Lenior also make sense for real backups (along with like 5 other guys who could do it, like Rod Smith).
Austin might be the dynamic punt return, put out when the Cowboys think there's a chance for a big return. But Beasley also has experience and has very sure hands. But, would the Cowboys risk injury for either player? Lenior can help on returns and we might see him get more action soon.
The video above (and shown below) is from the Cowboys Report, a Facebook live show and a video podcast on iTunes. All of these videos can also be found on Cowboys Report on YouTube!
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