Monday Morning Huddle: Dallas is Playing a Dangerous Game of Roster Roulette
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The Cowboys' current 53-man roster is a gamble, leaving critical holes at linebacker and tackle that could lead to a mid-season collapse if they don't act on available talent.
OPINION: The Dallas Cowboys have locked in their initial 53-man roster, but as Sports Illustrated first reported, looking at the depth chart suggests they are playing a high-stakes game of roster roulette. While the front office may be satisfied with their current group, they have left themselves dangerously thin in areas that typically dictate a team's survival through December. If Dallas doesn't aggressively target specific cast-offs from this weekend's cuts, they are essentially inviting a mid-season collapse.
Nowhere is this gamble more evident than in the backfield. According to reporting from Sports Illustrated, Dallas has trimmed the position to just two running backs and one fullback after waiving Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue. While Javonte Williams is the primary workhorse and Malik Davis served as a solid RB2 last season—with Hunter Luepke potentially seeing more carries—going this thin is a recipe for disaster. Sports Illustrated suggests the Cowboys should target Frank Gore Jr., who was cut by the Buffalo Bills. Gore has posted two impressive preseasons and could provide essential insurance against injury while pushing Davis for that backup spot.
The linebacker situation is equally precarious. Dallas is currently relying on DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, and Jaishawn Barham. However, as Sports Illustrated notes, each comes with a red flag: Overshown has struggled with durability, Winters has only one year of starting experience, and rookie Barham showed a tendency to be overaggressive in the preseason finale.
To stabilize this unit, Dallas should look at two specific options. First, Tyrel Dodson, a vested veteran released by the Miami Dolphins, is now an unrestricted free agent. He offers the experienced, consistent presence this defense lacks. Second, the Cowboys should consider Taurean York, an undrafted product out of Texas A&M. Despite being a smaller player at 5-foot-11 and 226 pounds, York recorded 229 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks over three collegiate seasons. Sports Illustrated points out that York's high football IQ would make him an ideal extension of defensive coordinator Christian Parker on the field.
Up front, the Cowboys are still dealing with question marks at tackle, specifically regarding Terence Steele. While they have Broderick Jones, Sports Illustrated suggests they target Evan Neal, the former seventh-overall pick released by the New York Giants. Neal, who struggled to meet expectations in New York and spent the 2025 season on IR with a hamstring injury, was an elite run blocker in 2024 with an 80.8 PFF grade. With offensive coordinator Klayton Adams' reputation as an offensive line coach, Neal could be the reclamation project Dallas needs to solidify the right tackle position.
Finally, the defensive line needs more bulk. Sports Illustrated highlights McKinnley Jackson, a 6-foot-2, 325-pound defensive tackle cut by the Cincinnati Bengals. A third-round pick in 2024, Jackson posted a run defense grade of 63.8 despite playing only 129 snaps. Adding a space-eater like Jackson would provide the necessary depth to shut down the run game.
Dallas has the opportunity to turn these vulnerabilities into strengths. If they stay pat, they are betting their entire season on a razor-thin margin of error.