Latest update: April 2, 2026 — Dallas enters the pre-draft stretch with most of its offensive core still in place, a heavily reworked defense, and several important jobs still unsettled. Left tackle remains a live issue, linebacker still looks like the clearest roster hole, and George Pickens and Brandon Aubrey are both still in contract limbo even though each remains part of the projected lineup.
This page should be read as a pre-draft projection, not an official Week 1 depth chart. It is built from the Cowboys’ current roster, official transaction updates, and recent team reporting on how Dallas views the lineup coming out of free agency.
The big picture is pretty simple. The Cowboys spent free agency reshaping the defense, while the offense mostly held its core together. Javonte Williams was brought back, George Pickens was tagged, and the offensive line remains mostly intact inside.
Javonte Williams is one of the easier projections on the roster. Dallas signed him to a three-year deal in February, and he looks like the clear RB1. Behind him, the fight for RB2 remains open.
At receiver, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are still the headline duo. The contract story around Pickens is still alive, but not the depth-chart question: if Pickens is in Dallas, he is starting.
The interior offensive line is one of the more settled areas on the roster. Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe and Tyler Booker remain the preferred inside trio, with Matt Hennessy added for depth after Brock Hoffman left for Pittsburgh.
The projected front is led by Gary and Ezeiruaku on the edge and by Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark inside.
Linebacker is where the projection gets shakier. Overshown and Shemar James are the best current bet to open in the top two spots, but linebacker still looks like the softest part of the roster heading into the draft.
At corner, the names are there, but health remains the real swing factor. Bland and Revel have both gotten encouraging offseason updates, and right now Bland, Revel and Durant look like the best three-man starting group.
At safety, Malik Hooker and Jalen Thompson look like the clear top pairing. P.J. Locke and Markquese Bell give Dallas flexibility behind them.
The next one is linebacker. Overshown and Shemar James are the projected starters today because they are the best current fit on the roster, not because the Cowboys have completely solved the spot.
Then there is the third pass-catcher question behind Lamb, Pickens and Ferguson. Flournoy has earned WR3, but Schoonmaker is still a real part of the offense, which means Dallas’ weekly starting look could change based on formation and opponent.
QB2 is another one worth watching. The Cowboys added Sam Howell, but the backup spot still looks like a competition between Howell and Joe Milton.
The last notable fight is corner depth and the nickel rotation. Durant is the cleanest projection right now, but Reddy Steward and the rest of the room still make this one worth watching.
The defense is a different story. Dallas attacked it hard. Gary changed the edge picture immediately. Thompson and Locke reshaped safety. Durant added a starting-level option at corner. Ogbonnia and Bullard added size and depth inside.
That is why this version of the depth chart feels lopsided in a useful way: the offense looks mostly familiar, while the defense still feels like a room under construction.
Linebacker is the most obvious place where a rookie could step into real snaps quickly. Corner is another spot to watch, especially if Dallas wants more competition or more insurance. Tackle is still in play because of the uncertainty around Guyton, and depth additions at running back, receiver, tight end or along the line could also change how the second tier of the roster looks by camp.
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are the projected top two, with Ryan Flournoy currently positioned as WR3.
Is Tyler Smith projected at guard or tackle?
Guard, for now. Dallas still prefers him at left guard, but that depends on Tyler Guyton holding down left tackle.
What is Dallas’ biggest need before the 2026 draft?
Linebacker looks like the clearest answer right now.
How many picks do the Cowboys have in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Eight, including first-round picks at No. 12 and No. 20.
Is Brandon Aubrey still the projected kicker?
Yes. He remains the projected starter while extension talks continue.
This page should be read as a pre-draft projection, not an official Week 1 depth chart. It is built from the Cowboys’ current roster, official transaction updates, and recent team reporting on how Dallas views the lineup coming out of free agency.
The big picture is pretty simple. The Cowboys spent free agency reshaping the defense, while the offense mostly held its core together. Javonte Williams was brought back, George Pickens was tagged, and the offensive line remains mostly intact inside.
Projected offensive starters
Dallas’ offense looks fairly stable at the skill spots, but the exact personnel package is worth noting. In a standard 11-personnel look, Ryan Flournoy is the best bet to open as the third receiver. In a 12-personnel look, Luke Schoonmaker still projects for starter-level snaps next to Jake Ferguson.- QB: Dak Prescott
- RB: Javonte Williams
- WR: CeeDee Lamb
- WR: George Pickens
- WR3 / package starter: Ryan Flournoy
- TE: Jake Ferguson
- LT: Tyler Guyton
- LG: Tyler Smith
- C: Cooper Beebe
- RG: Tyler Booker
- RT: Terence Steele
Javonte Williams is one of the easier projections on the roster. Dallas signed him to a three-year deal in February, and he looks like the clear RB1. Behind him, the fight for RB2 remains open.
At receiver, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are still the headline duo. The contract story around Pickens is still alive, but not the depth-chart question: if Pickens is in Dallas, he is starting.
The interior offensive line is one of the more settled areas on the roster. Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe and Tyler Booker remain the preferred inside trio, with Matt Hennessy added for depth after Brock Hoffman left for Pittsburgh.
Projected defensive starters
Christian Parker’s defense is being built as a primarily 3-4 look with the flexibility to be multiple, which is why the Cowboys’ current defensive projection reads more like two edges, two tackles, two inside linebackers, three corners and two safeties.- EDGE: Donovan Ezeiruaku
- EDGE: Rashan Gary
- DT: Quinnen Williams
- DT: Kenny Clark
- LB: DeMarvion Overshown
- LB: Shemar James
- CB: DaRon Bland
- CB: Shavon Revel Jr.
- NCB: Cobie Durant
- S: Malik Hooker
- S: Jalen Thompson
The projected front is led by Gary and Ezeiruaku on the edge and by Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark inside.
Linebacker is where the projection gets shakier. Overshown and Shemar James are the best current bet to open in the top two spots, but linebacker still looks like the softest part of the roster heading into the draft.
At corner, the names are there, but health remains the real swing factor. Bland and Revel have both gotten encouraging offseason updates, and right now Bland, Revel and Durant look like the best three-man starting group.
At safety, Malik Hooker and Jalen Thompson look like the clear top pairing. P.J. Locke and Markquese Bell give Dallas flexibility behind them.
Special teams
- K: Brandon Aubrey
- P: Bryan Anger
- LS: Trent Sieg
- KR/PR: KaVontae Turpin
Key roster battles to watch
The biggest one is still left tackle. Dallas wants Tyler Smith at guard, but only if Guyton proves he can stay healthy and hold the job. If that does not happen, the whole line conversation changes.The next one is linebacker. Overshown and Shemar James are the projected starters today because they are the best current fit on the roster, not because the Cowboys have completely solved the spot.
Then there is the third pass-catcher question behind Lamb, Pickens and Ferguson. Flournoy has earned WR3, but Schoonmaker is still a real part of the offense, which means Dallas’ weekly starting look could change based on formation and opponent.
QB2 is another one worth watching. The Cowboys added Sam Howell, but the backup spot still looks like a competition between Howell and Joe Milton.
The last notable fight is corner depth and the nickel rotation. Durant is the cleanest projection right now, but Reddy Steward and the rest of the room still make this one worth watching.
How free agency changed the depth chart
Free agency did not rewrite the offense. It reinforced it. Dallas kept Javonte Williams, kept Pickens under team control with the tag, added Howell as a backup option, and signed Hennessy to help absorb the loss of Brock Hoffman. That left the offensive depth chart mostly looking like a continuation, not a reset.The defense is a different story. Dallas attacked it hard. Gary changed the edge picture immediately. Thompson and Locke reshaped safety. Durant added a starting-level option at corner. Ogbonnia and Bullard added size and depth inside.
That is why this version of the depth chart feels lopsided in a useful way: the offense looks mostly familiar, while the defense still feels like a room under construction.
How the draft could still reshape the lineup
The Cowboys own eight picks in the 2026 draft, including No. 12 and No. 20 overall, and they are in position to let the board come to them more than they usually can.Linebacker is the most obvious place where a rookie could step into real snaps quickly. Corner is another spot to watch, especially if Dallas wants more competition or more insurance. Tackle is still in play because of the uncertainty around Guyton, and depth additions at running back, receiver, tight end or along the line could also change how the second tier of the roster looks by camp.
FAQ
Who are the Cowboys’ projected starting receivers in 2026?CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are the projected top two, with Ryan Flournoy currently positioned as WR3.
Is Tyler Smith projected at guard or tackle?
Guard, for now. Dallas still prefers him at left guard, but that depends on Tyler Guyton holding down left tackle.
What is Dallas’ biggest need before the 2026 draft?
Linebacker looks like the clearest answer right now.
How many picks do the Cowboys have in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Eight, including first-round picks at No. 12 and No. 20.
Is Brandon Aubrey still the projected kicker?
Yes. He remains the projected starter while extension talks continue.
