The Dallas Cowboys head into 2026 training camp with a roster that looks good on paper. Problem is, they’ve looked good on paper before. What matters is whether the pieces actually fit together when the pads come on.
Dak Prescott is coming off a monster 2025 season — 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, just 10 interceptions. That’s MVP-level production, and he’s still got plenty left in the tank. Behind him, Joe Milton III showed enough as a backup that teams might come calling with trade offers. The Cowboys would be smart to ignore those calls. Sam Howell is a perfectly fine QB3. That position is a 9 out of 10, easy.
But here’s where it gets complicated.
The defensive interior actually looks strong for once. Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark give Dallas a legitimate one-two punch up front. Jonathan Bullard and Tyrus Wheat provide solid depth. That group is an 8. Same goes for safety, where rookie Caleb Downs looks like a chess piece who can line up anywhere, and Malik Hooker and Jalen Thompson give them reliable starters at free and strong safety. Markquese Bell and P.J. Locke offer depth. Another 8.
Cornerback is a 7. DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, and Shavon Revel Jr. all have sky-high upside but also real question marks. Bland needs to prove last year wasn’t a fluke. Revel is coming off an injury. The depth behind them is intriguing but unproven. Caelen Carson and Derion Kendrick could sneak onto the roster with veteran savvy.
Offensive tackle is a 6. Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele are solid starters. The problem? If either goes down, the drop-off is steep. Nate Thomas and Drew Shelton have potential, but neither has shown they can hold up for multiple weeks.
The tight end room is a 5. Jake Ferguson is a reliable security blanket for Prescott — 82 catches, 600 yards, eight touchdowns last season. But beyond him? Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford are mostly blockers. That limits what Brian Schottenheimer can do schematically.
Linebacker is also a 5. DeMarvion Overshown has all the talent in the world but he’s played just six games in 2025. Dee Winters and Jaishawn Barham have promise, but this group has more unknowns than knowns. They could surprise people. They could also get picked on every week.
The biggest wild card might be the edge rushers. Without Micah Parsons, this group is a 6. Rashan Gary is a solid veteran but his production has been inconsistent. Donovan Ezeiruaku and Malachi Lawrence are intriguing, but neither has proven they can be the focal point of a pass rush. James Houston and LT Overton are nice depth pieces, but it’s fair to wonder how much that actually moves the needle.
Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, and Trent Sieg get a perfect 10 on special teams. Aubrey is the best kicker in the league and Dallas paid him $28 million to prove it.
So what’s the bottom line? The Cowboys have elite talent at quarterback, receiver, and along the interior of both lines. But the depth at tackle, tight end, and linebacker is thin enough that one or two injuries could derail the whole thing. That’s the same story it’s been for years. The question is whether this year’s version can finally write a different ending.
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