Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Dallas Cowboys' projected roster

IRVING, Texas -- Examining the Dallas Cowboys' roster:

QUARTERBACKS (2)

  • Tony Romo

  • Brandon Weeden

I'm holding firm with two quarterbacks and believe the Cowboys will be able to slide Dustin Vaughan to the practice squad. He has some skills that might be worth developing, but not even Romo's worrisome back has me keeping a third quarterback. They have too many other needs.

RUNNING BACKS (4)

  • DeMarco Murray

  • Lance Dunbar

  • Joseph Randle

  • Tyler Clutts

Ryan Williams is among the Cowboys' best 53 players but they just can't find a way to get him to the game on Sundays to make it worthwhile to keep him on the roster. There is this possibility: If he clears waivers he has practice squad eligibilty. I kept Clutts because I believe Jason Garrett will fight to keep a fullback.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5)

  • Dez Bryant

  • Terrance Williams

  • Cole Beasley

  • Dwayne Harris

  • Devin Street

This has been the same group all year. LaRon Byrd has practice squad eligibility, so he could be back if he clears waivers.

TIGHT ENDS (3)

  • Jason Witten

  • Gavin Escobar

  • James Hanna

This group hasn't changed either, but they could look for more of a blocking tight end if they don't believe it is worth it to keep Clutts.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

  • Tyron Smith

  • Mackenzy Bernadeau

  • Travis Frederick

  • Zack Martin

  • Doug Free

  • Ronald Leary

  • Jermey Parnell

  • Uche Nwaneri

  • Unnamed veteran or waiver-wire pickup

Stephen Jones said the other day that going with eight offensive linemen was too light, so I added a ninth. I just don't think that guy is on the roster. John Wetzel didn't solidify a spot on Thursday. Darrion Weems missed the whole preseaon. Nwaneri also struggled against the Broncos, which could put his spot in jeopardy. The Cowboys only dress seven linemen for games, so they can take some waiver-wire pickups to work with early on.

DEFENSIVE LINE (11)

  • George Selvie

  • Henry Melton

  • Terrell McClain

  • Jeremy Mincey

  • Tyrone Crawford

  • Davon Coleman

  • Ken Bishop

  • Nick Hayden

  • Anthony Spencer

  • DeMarcus Lawrence

  • Kenneth Boatright

Lawrence is back on the roster because he has to be on the team through Tuesday before he can be placed on short-term injured reserve. Of all the guys on the bubble Boatright helped himself the most, so gets the final spot away from Dartwan Bush. The Cowboys will look for help outside of the building with this group. Just because these guys are on the roster Saturday doesn't mean they will be on the team Sunday.

LINEBACKERS (6)

  • Bruce Carter

  • Justin Durant

  • Kyle Wilber

  • Anthony Hitchens

  • Rolando McClain

  • Cam Lawrence

I've had seven linebackers but I had to move to six in part because Lawrence needs to be on the active roster for the first couple of days. Will Smith would be the seventh but the Cowboys look for help on the street for a special teams type like they did a year ago in Kyle Bosworth.

CORNERBACKS (5)

  • Brandon Carr

  • Morris Claiborne

  • Sterling Moore

  • Terrance Mitchell

  • Tyler Patmon

The decision to cut B.W. Webb was only surprising because of how inexeprienced they will be with their backups. Webb didn't do enough to make the team and was a disappointment as a fourth-round pick. Patmon is one of those feel-good stories, making the team after earning a rookie camp tryout. I don't think Mitchell should sleep well these next few days. He just has taken too many penalties and might need some practice squad seasoning.

SAFETIES (5)

  • Barry Church

  • J.J. Wilcox

  • Jeff Heath

  • Ahmad Dixon

  • Jemea Thomas

The Cowboys claimed Thomas off waivers from New England on Wednesday and he played Thursday. He is a player they liked coming in the draft, so he gets the final spot with Jakar Hamilton suspended the first four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Like at every other spot on defense, however, the Cowboys will look for help outside the building.

SPECIALISTS (3)

  • Dan Bailey

  • Chris Jones

  • L.P. Ladouceur

There has not been a change here all summer.

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