Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster breakdown: See who made the initial team

FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys (initial) roster is now set.

There were some moves that sort of surprised — releasing veteran and recently acquired defensive end Carl Lawson was enough for a double take on the timeline — and others that didn’t, like the decision to move on from tight end Peyton Hendershot, whom the Cowboys ultimately traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional late-round pick.

Hey, even the obvious moves can have surprise twists.

The Cowboys also hosted veteran running back Dalvin Cook and veteran defensive end Tyus Bowser on visits on Tuesday, adding another inevitable layer to the 53-man roster discussion. After 3 p.m. central, the roster variables not only exist, but they also get deeper.

Here’s an initial breakdown of the Cowboys’ 53-man roster.

QB (3)

Dak Prescott
Cooper Rush
Trey Lance

Cut: N/A

The lowdown: There was never any doubt about how this room looked. All three figured to make the team. The one interesting thing: a proposed rule to not have emergency third quarterbacks included on the 53-man roster was shot down this week, which means Trey lance will count against the roster. If that rule went the other way it could’ve offered some flexibility elsewhere for Dallas. The big question about this room: what will it look like a year from now?

RB (4)

Ezekiel Elliott
Rico Dowdle
Deuce Vaughn
Hunter Luepke

Cut: Royce Freeman Snoop Conner, Malik Davis, Nathaniel Peat

The lowdown: The running back room, even before Cook’s visit, looked like it would be one of the more competitive groups heading into cutdown day. Veteran Royce Freeman averaged over four yards per carry in the preseason. Second-year running back Deuce Vaughn averaged over six yards per attempt, showing some unique elusiveness in the process. Ultimately the Cowboys decided to keep Vaughn around.

WR (5)

Brandin Cooks
Jalen Tolbert
Jalen Brooks
KaVontae Turpin
Ryan Flournoy

Roster exemption: CeeDee Lamb*

Cut: Jalen Cropper, Tyron Billy-Johnson, Cam Johnson, Deontay Burnett, Kelvin Harmon, Racey McMath

Waived/injured: David Durden

The lowdown: It felt like there was a possibility that the Cowboys may go with five receivers instead of six. They elect to go with six, however. The competition for the sixth spot appeared to come down to rookie Ryan Flournoy and second-year wide receiver Jalen Cropper. The two had different preseasons. The difference between them: Flournoy seemingly got better each week, while Cropper plateaued after a fast start. Of note: Lamb is technically still a roster exemption.

TE (4)

Jake Ferguson
Luke Schoonmaker
John Stephens Jr.
Brevyn Spann-Ford

Cut: Princeton Fant, Alec Holler

Traded: Peyton Hendershot

The lowdown: It felt inevitable that the Cowboys would move on from Hendershot. Instead of cutting him, however, they send him to Kansas City for a conditional 7th round pick in 2026. If Hendershot is on the 53-man roster for five games, or if he’s on the 46-man active roster for three games, then the Cowboys will get the pick. Back to the Cowboys on the roster: Dallas decides to hold on to second-year tight end John Stephens Jr., who impressed last season in the preseason before suffering a torn ACL. He gets the chance to showcase his stuff again a year later. Brevyn Spann-Ford…

OL (10)

Tyler Guyton
Tyler Smith
Cooper Beebe
Zack Martin
Terence Steele
Brock Hoffman
T.J. Bass
Asim Richards
Matt Waletzko
Chuma Edoga*

IR (designated to return): Nathan Thomas

Cut: Dakoda Shepley, Josh Ball, Cohl Cabral

The lowdown: Josh Ball played well in the preseason, but ultimately that wasn’t enough for him to earn a surprise roster spot. That may speak more about Asim Richards’ development as both a guard and tackle. Last year’s draft pick looked like he took a significant step forward in the preseason. Matt Waletzko makes the team. Edoga could miss some time but makes the initial roster.

DL (9)

Micah Parsons
DeMarcus Lawrence
Osa Odighizuwa
Mazi Smith
Chuancey Golston
Marshawn Kneeland
Jordan Phillips
Linval Joseph
Tyrus Wheat

Suspended: Al-Quadin Muhmmad (1 game)

Cut: Justin Rogers, Denzel Daxon, Tyrus Wheat, Albert Huggins, Carl Lawson

Waived/injured: Viliami Fehoko, Durrell Johnson

The lowdown: The Cowboys may add Bowser to this list, so will see if there’s any post-3 p.m. roster cuts to track, but as of now, this is the group. The interesting factor: is someone a placeholder until Quadin-Muhammad, who impressed as a pass rusher in preseason, is back in Week 2? Tyrus Wheat is a surprise make.

LB (5)

Eric Kendricks
Damone Clark
Marist Liufau
DeMarvion Overshown
Buddy Johnson

Cut: Nick Vigil, Jason Johnson, Darius Harris, Brock Mogensen, Willie Harvey, Damien Wilson

The lowdown: The top four linebackers on this list were always expected to make the team. There was plenty of competition for that fifth and final spot, however. It goes to Buddy Johnson, who was on the team for the majority of last season and played well in the preseason.

CB (5)

Trevon Diggs
Jourdan Lewis
Caelen Carson
Isreal Mukuamu
Andrew Booth

IR: DaRon Bland

Cut: Josh Butler, Josh DeBerry, Eric Scott

The lowdown: The injury to Bland complicated this room a little bit and opened the door for Booth to make the team. He had an up-and-down preseason after the Cowboys traded Nahshon Wright for him. Dallas chooses to get a better look at the former second round pick out of Clemson. Hall made things tough for Dallas.

S (5)

Malik Hooker
Donovan Wilson
Juanyeh Thomas
Markquese Bell
C.J. Goodwin

Cut: Julius Wood. Emany Johnson

The lowdown: It looked like the Cowboys would have to decide between Julius Wood and C.J. Goodwin. The Cowboys elect to go with the special teams ace.

S/T (3)

Brandon Aubrey
Bryan Anger
Trent Sieg

Cut: N/A

The lowdown: No surprises here.