Cowboys 53-man roster analysis: Where Dallas stands ahead of Week 1

FRISCO — The Cowboys are down to 53.
A wild transaction wave that included cornerback Kelvin Joseph’s trade to the Miami Dolphins and tight end Sean McKeon’s reluctant cut brought the team Tuesday from a 90- to 53-man roster. There is still work to do. Center Tyler Biadasz’s backup, as the best example, is not currently in the building.
Here is a position by position overview of where things stand.
As a preface, three veteran players are not on the Cowboys roster because of a procedural mechanics. Offensive tackle Chuma Edoga, long snapper Trent Sieg and cornerback C.J. Goodwin were released on a temporary basis. The veterans are not part of the league’s waiver system. They’ll be re-signed this week.
Quarterbacks (3)
Dak Prescott
Cooper Rush
Trey Lance
As expected, Will Grier was the odd man out following Friday’s trade for Lance. Coach Mike McCarthy said he would “love to have him back” as a fourth quarterback on the practice squad. The best-case scenario for Grier, however, is receiving an opportunity elsewhere.
Running backs (4)
Tony Pollard
Rico Dowdle
Deuce Vaughn
Hunter Luepke
The Cowboys were in the market for a bigger, power-style back. After his performance in the preseason finale, Luepke did enough to occupy that role.
Wide receivers (6)
CeeDee Lamb
Brandin Cooks
Michael Gallup
Jalen Tolbert
KaVontae Turpin
Jalen Brooks
No surprises here. Brooks, a rookie seventh-round pick, took the final spot over Dennis Houston and Simi Fehoko.
Tight ends (3)
Jake Ferguson
Luke Schoonmaker
Peyton Hendershot
Undrafted rookie John Stephens earned his place before an ACL tear. After Lance’s acquisition and Luepke’s emergence, McKeon became collateral damage. Ferguson and Hendershot are in their second NFL season, which makes them the most experienced guys in the room.
Offensive line (8)
Tyron Smith
Tyler Smith
Tyler Biadasz
Zack Martin
Terence Steele
Matt Waletzko
Asim Richards
T.J. Bass
Bass and Luepke are two of three undrafted rookies to make the roster; kicker Brandon Aubrey is the other. Too bad Bass, a guard, does not also play center; help there is needed and should come with a Wednesday roster addition. Waletzko (shoulder) will be placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, clearing a path for Chuma Edoga to be re-signed. Guard/tackle Josh Ball injured his groin/hip Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders. He is out for the year.
Defensive line (11)
Micah Parsons
DeMarcus Lawrence
Dorance Armstrong
Osa Odighizuwa
Johnathan Hankins
Dante Fowler Jr.
Mazi Smith
Sam Williams
Neville Gallimore
Chauncey Golston
Viliami Fehoko Jr.
No surprises here. This group was well defined for weeks. Nose tackle Quinton Bohanna, a 2021 sixth-round pick, showed flashes in training camp but not enough consistency.
Linebackers (4)
Leighton Vander Esch
Damone Clark
Markquese Bell
Devin Harper
Bell moved from safety after rookie third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown’s ACL tear. Between the short numbers at linebacker and tight end, the Cowboys are light on the body type that coach Mike McCarthy prefers to be well represented on special teams. For that reason, don’t be surprised if linebacker Malik Jefferson, who was released, returns via the practice squad and is elevated for Week 1 versus the New York Giants. Jabril Cox’s release was notable but not a surprise. The lack of physicality to his play style hurt him.
Cornerbacks (7)
Stephon Gilmore
Trevon Diggs
DaRon Bland
Jourdan Lewis
Eric Scott Jr.
Noah Igbinoghene
Nahshon Wright
Give Lewis credit: He overcame an awful right foot injury to avoid the Physically Unable to Perform list. His next practice will be his first since last October, and that exposure will allow a better feel for where he is physically. Wright (ankle) will join Waletzko on injured reserve with a future designation to return. So seven cornerbacks becomes six. Igbinoghene was the compensation in the Joseph trade. It seems far-fetched to count on him to contribute much in 2023, but the coaching staff will take a look.
Safeties (5)
Jayron Kearse
Malik Hooker
Donovan Wilson
Israel Mukuamu
Juanyeh Thomas
As documented Tuesday in The Dallas Morning News, Thomas forged an unlikely path to the NFL that began with a house fire his father set when Thomas was 4. He’s earned an NFL roster spot and the financial stability it provides. Mukuamu’s flexibility to play nickel cornerback was a factor in Joseph’s dismissal.
Specialists (2)
Brandon Aubrey
Bryan Anger
Aubrey is among the roster’s better stories. The former Major League Soccer player didn’t play prep football at Plano Senior High School or in college at Notre Dame. After his MLS career concluded, he left work as a software engineer to chase the dream of becoming an NFL kicker. He officially did it. Trent Sieg will be either re-signed to the 53-man roster this week or join the practice squad and be elevated. Either way, he’ll be the long snapper Sept. 10 at MetLife Stadium.