Why Dallas’ toughest decisions will come from wide receiver and linebacker

It’s more difficult than usual.

The Cowboys hosted 13 practices during training camp. None included a “live” tackle period.

In fact, when a bunch of bodies formed on the floor, various trainers shouted out a variation of “Stay upright!” in the hope of avoiding injury.

No preseason and limited physique make it difficult to project the initial roster of 53 players.

Here is an attempt.

The point of this exercise is less to go 53 for 53 and more to highlight where the tough decisions are.

As a reminder, all NFL teams must reduce their roster from 80 to 53 players by 3 p.m. Saturday. Training teams can be formed from noon on Sunday.

Practice teams have grown from 10 to 16 players in 2020. Dallas can wear offensive tackle Isaac Alarcon as the 17th member on the league’s International Player Pathway program.

So up to 70 of the players on the current 80-man roster could train for the Cowboys this time around next week.

Quarterback (3)

Dak prescott

Andy Dalton

I am DiNucci

Simple enough. DiNucci, a rookie seventh-round pick for the new coaching staff, has always been the favorite over Clayton Thorson for the No.3 position. He’s not ready for the field in 2020.

Running back (2)

Ezekiel Elliott

Tony Pollard

The Cowboys could explore strengthening that position via a waiver request on Sunday morning. Of the three rookies not drafted at camp, Rico Dowdle may have the best shot at 53 for his special team work. Otherwise, at least two of the three – Dowdle, fullback Sewo Olonilua and Darius Anderson – are expected to join the practice squad.

Wide receiver (5)

Amari Cooper

Michael gallup

Lamb CeeDee

Cedrick wilson

Noah brown

The Cowboys can carry a sixth wide receiver. Special teams will take this decision into account. Ventell Bryant suffered from PCL knee fatigue during Sunday practice, clouding his outlook. Devin Smith, Jon’Vea Johnson and undrafted rookie Aaron Parker are other contenders, but none can match what cornerback CJ Goodwin brings to special teams. This simulated exercise gets heavy on the defensive back and relatively light here.

Tight end (3)

Blake Jarwin

Dalton schultz

Blake bell

Schultz had a fantastic camp to push back the competition, and he can work at the back. Undrafted rookie Sean McKeon would likely be the tight fourth end. He figures to land on the practice squad.

Offensive line (10)

Tyron smith

Connor williams

Joe looney

Zack Martin

La’el Collins

Cam Erving

Connor mcgovern

Tyler biadasz

Brandon knight

Terence steele

The Cowboys can expect the New York Giants, between offensive line coach Marc Colombo and coordinator Jason Garrett, to follow closely who is left out of this group of posts. Looking for Adam Redmond? Texas Tech’s Steele is the first of two undrafted rookies to break through the roster’s projection. Knight stepped back into the camp.

Defensive line (10)

DeMarcus Lawrence

Dontari Poe

Tyrone Crawford

Aldon smith

Everson griffen

Trysten hill

Antwaun Wood

Neville Gallimore

Bradlee Anae

Dorance Armstrong

The 10 names above are pretty well defined. Anae flashed around the camp. Armstrong played 198 shots on special teams in 2019.

Linebacker (6)

Leighton Vander Esch

Jaylon smith

Sean lee

Joe thomas

Francois Bernard

Justin march

Luke Gifford’s soft tissue injury throws a wrench to his roster push. Leaving him out of the screening may be an overreaction, but he’s struggled to stay healthy between a sprained ankle and a broken arm last year and illness now. Bernard would be a lock if he played in special teams. He does not have.

Rear Corner (6)

Chidobe awuzie

Trevon Diggs

Anthony brown

Jourdan Lewis

Daryl Worley

CJ Goodwin

Goodwin is on special teams and makes the Cowboys better. Worley’s versatility to play it safe is a plus.

Security (5)

Xavier woods

Darian thompson

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Reggie Robinson

Donovan wilson

Clinton-Dix is ​​disappointed with the camp, has $ 2.25 million fully guaranteed, and might not start Week 1. Worse yet, backup safeties need to help special teams. Clinton-Dix has played a paltry 121 shots on special teams in the past four years combined. He’s a real drag on the roster if not the starting caliber player the Cowboys paid him to be.

Specialist (3)

Greg Zuerlein

Chris Jones

LP Ladouceur

Zuerlein is in good health following a groin injury. Jones is in good health with a sports hernia and a back injury. Ladouceur is, well, Ladoucer. The Cowboys have questions about special teams, but their specialists are largely exceptions.

Find more Cowboys Stories from The Dallas Morning News here.