FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys fly to Oxnard, California, on July 25 to open training camp, hoping to become the first repeat champion in the NFC East since the 2003-04 Philadelphia Eagles, but also to take it further than a wild-card loss in the playoffs.
To get there, the Cowboys will need their best players -- such as QB Dak Prescott, LB Micah Parsons, OT Tyron Smith, OG Zack Martin, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, CB Trevon Diggs, RB Ezekiel Elliott and WR CeeDee Lamb -- to play like stars. Depth will be an issue, as it is for most teams. So will injuries. The Cowboys will also need their role players, rookies and newcomers to do more than just take a spot on the roster.
Here's a 53-man roster projection.
QUARTERBACK (2): Prescott, Cooper Rush
Prescott is 100% back from the ankle injury and looks leaner than he ever has. Rush won an important game a year ago in Minnesota, but Will Grier could work his way into the mix with solid work in the preseason.
RUNNING BACK (3): Elliott, Tony Pollard, Malik Davis
Elliott and Pollard are set, but don't expect a huge difference in how they're used in the running game. If healthy, Elliott is still the lead back by a mile. But Pollard will be used more in a receiver role, which should make him a viable fantasy pickup. Davis gets the nod over Rico Dowdle, who was kept off the field in the spring because of knee surgery. If healthy, Dowdle could win the job.
FULLBACK (1): Ryan Nall
The Cowboys didn't keep a fullback for most of last season and have tight ends who can move into the backfield, but Nall has some special teams skills and was used in specific situations in the spring.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Lamb, Michael Gallup, James Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Noah Brown, T.J. Vasher
Gallup might not be ready for Week 1, but he should be ready sometime in September, so he gets a spot on the 53 instead of opening the year on the physically unable to perform list. All eyes will be on Lamb as he ascends to the No. 1 role with Amari Cooper's departure. Washington, Tolbert and Brown will be counted on early to make plays for Prescott. Vasher had some eye-popping moments in the spring, but the final spot could come down to special teams, which could give undrafted Dennis Houston a chance.
TIGHT END (4): Dalton Schultz, Sean McKeon, Jake Ferguson, Jeremy Sprinkle
Schultz has 141 catches the last two seasons and looks like he will play the season on the $10.9 million franchise tag, which leads to questions about whether he will be back in 2023. Last year, McKeon was one of the surprises of training camp but a high ankle sprain limited his effectiveness in the regular season. Ferguson, a fourth-round pick, might be the tight end of the future. Sprinkle is a solid veteran option, especially with how the Cowboys rely on multiple tight end looks.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Martin, Terence Steele, Connor McGovern, Matt Farniok, Matt Waletzko, Josh Ball
Tyler Smith, their 2022 first-round pick, will open camp in a competition with McGovern for the left guard spot. Steele takes over for La'el Collins at right tackle. Tyron Smith has not played a full season since 2015 because of injuries, but the plan for now is to bypass a veteran backup tackle for either Tyler Smith, Ball or Waletzko as they enter camp. No group will be watched more than the line since its success will go a long way toward shaping the season.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Lawrence, Neville Gallimore, Osa Odighizuwa, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr., Carlos Watkins, Sam Williams, John Ridgeway, Quinton Bohanna
The Cowboys believe the trio of Armstrong, Fowler and Williams will be enough to replace the production of Randy Gregory, who signed with the Denver Broncos. A healthy Lawrence is a great boost to the defense, while Gallimore and Odighizuwa can be active in the middle. The final spot came down to Trysten Hill, a second-round pick in 2019, and Bohanna. The edge went to Bohanna for his size (6-foot-4, 360 pounds), but he will be pushed by Ridgeway at the nose tackle spot. Does it make sense to keep two nose tackles? Perhaps Hill could be trade material later in the summer.
LINEBACKER (5): Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch, Jabril Cox, Luke Gifford, Devin Harper
This projection is based on the assumption that Cox, who is coming back from a right torn ACL, will be ready for Week 1. If not, then the Cowboys have to find some help -- and might need a low-cost veteran anyway. Parsons will be the cornerstone of the defense in his second season. Vander Esch ended last year on a high note and the coaches love the work he put in during the offseason. Rookie Damone Clark (neck) will open the year on the non-football injury list.
CORNERBACK (6): Diggs, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Kelvin Joseph, Nahshon Wright, DaRon Bland.
This is as deep as the Cowboys have been at corner in some time. Diggs is coming off an 11-pick season. Brown is steady. Lewis is more than capable in the slot. Joseph's possible connection to a Dallas homicide case has him under potential legal and NFL penalties that could impact his spot on the roster. Depending on the outcome, the Cowboys could go with another safety over a corner.
SAFETY (4): Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Markquese Bell
Kearse led the Cowboys in tackles (101) a year ago, blossoming in a hybrid safety/linebacker role. Hooker is two years removed from an Achilles tear and has a chance to be a difference-maker. Wilson can start as well, while Bell got the final spot over last year's draft pick Israel Mukuamu. The Cowboys guaranteed $200,000 of Bell's salary as an undrafted free agent.
SPECIALIST (4) Jonathan Garibay, Bryan Anger, Jake McQuaide, C.J. Goodwin.
Anger is coming off his first Pro Bowl season, and McQuaide is a steady snapper. Goodwin is among the best punt and kick cover men in the NFL. Kicker is the main question with Garibay, an undrafted free agent from Texas Tech, having the inside track at the moment. The Cowboys will look to add competition for training camp, but the kickers available have as many questions as the untested Garibay.