The 2020 NFL draft is done, the undrafted fee agents are signed, and while roster-building is never truly over, we have a pretty good idea of the players the Cowboys will have heading into training camp (whenever that is). Sure, changes will still happen, but now is a good time to guess what the Cowboys 2020 roster will look like.
Due to a tweak in the newly-signed Collective Bargaining Agreement, game week rosters will expand to 55-players. So instead of the traditional 53-man roster of the past, we’re going with the new 55-man roster.
Hat tip to a BTB-reader for suggesting a survey of the front-page writers for their predictions of the roster. In all, we have predictions from nine front-page writers.
Also, big thanks to Danny Phantom for creating the graphics.
We’ll break it down by position groups to better see where everybody’s picks are the same, and where the differences show up.
Quarterback
Only two predictions have the Cowboys keeping Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush and Ben DiNucci. The majority of predictions that have two QBs think that DiNucci will unseat Rush as the backup by a margin of five to two.
The consensus prediction: Dak Prescott, Ben DiNucci
Running Back
The first two players are locks, Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. The only guess is who will be the third running back. Everyone assumes there will be one this year (last year they went with two for the majority of time), and UDFAs start to make an appearance. Five writers think Rico Dowdle will slide onto the roster, while two are betting on Darius Andrson. One lone hold out is going with vet Jordan Chunn.
The consensus prediction: Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle
Fullback
There’s not much to say here, Jamize Olawale is the unanimous pick.
The consensus prediction: Jamize Olawale
Tight End
This position group is almost unanimous. Eight of nine see Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, and new arrival Blake Bell as the trio. One prediction slides in Cole Hikutini in place of Bell.
The consensus prediction: Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, Blake Bell
Wide Receiver
Four players were picked to make the roster by all nine writers. They were Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb and Cedrick Wilson. After that, you get a variety of choices. Devin Smith shows up on seven predictions, Noah Brown on four, Jon’Vea Johnson on three, newcomer UDFA Aaron Parker on three, and Ventell Bryant on two.
The consensus prediction: Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, Cedrick Wilson, Devin Smith, and Noah Brown
Offensive Line
Eight players are picked by every writer. Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, Connor Williams, Joe Looney, Connor McGovern, Tyler Biadasz and Adam Redmond. The only differences show up in backup tackle where eight writers see Brandon Knight making the team, one writer sees Mitch Hyatt as the guy, and two writers see both making it.
The consensus prediction: Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, Connor Williams, Joe Looney, Connor McGovern, Tyler Biadasz, Adam Redmond, Brandon Knight
Defensive Line
We have nine unanimous selections along the defensive line. DeMarcus Lawrence, Tyrone Crawford, Dorance Armstrong, Randy Gregory, Aldon Smith, Bradlee Anae, Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, and Neville Gallimore. After that, we get a smattering of different players. Seven are giving Trysten Hill another chance, five see Joe Jackson making it, five like UDFA Ron’Dell Carter, five are bringing back Antwaun Woods and one lone prediction likes Justin Hamilton.
The consensus prediction: DeMarcus Lawrence, Tyrone Crawford, Dorance Armstrong, Randy Gregory, Aldon Smith, Bradlee Anae, Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, Neville Gallimore, Trysten Hill, and one player from among a tie among three players (Joe Jackson, Ron’Dell Carter and Antwaun Woods)
Linebacker
Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith, Sean Lee, and Joe Thomas make every ballot. Seven writers like Luke Gifford to make it again this year, while UDFA Francis Bernard shows up on six. Veteran Justin March makes four ballots.
The consensus prediction: Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith, Sean Lee, Joe Thomas, Luke Gifford, Francis Bernard
Cornerbacks
*Note: We didn’t have full agreement on whether Chidobe Awuzie should be counted as a corner or safety, based on recent statements the coaching staff has made about moving him. For this exercise, we placed him as a safety, so he shows up in the following section.
The top four corners were picked by everyone, they are Trevon Diggs, Antony Brown, Jourdan Lewis and Reggie Robinson. C.J. Goodwin made it on five predictions, newcomer Daryl Worley on four, free agent signee Maurice Canady made three ballots and Chris Westry was selected twice.
The consensus prediction: Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Reggie Robinson, C.J. Goodwin, Daryl Worely
Safety
Four safeties made every prediction. Xavier Woods, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Chidobe Awuzie (as noted, we’re counting him as a safety in this exercise), and Darian Thompson. Seven selections added Donovan Wilson to the mix.
The consensus prediction: Xavier Woods, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Chidobe Awuzie, Darian Thompson, Donovan Wilson
Specialists
Eight predictions tabbed Greg Zeurlein as the kicker while one went with Kai Forbath. Long snapper L.P. LaDouceur was a unanimous selection, and while Chris Jones was also unanimous there was a feeling he could be challenged in camp by an unknown addition.
The consensus prediction: Greg Zeurlein, L.P. LaDouceur, Chris Jones