FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys open the 2024 NFL regular season at the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Cowboys enter training camp with a much different roster than the one that ended last season, having lost Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Tyler Biadasz and Dorance Armstrong in free agency and not making big moves in free agency or the draft.
There is still talent on the roster, albeit thinned out by the losses that could make avoiding injuries an even bigger must.
Could the Cowboys find some help in the trade market should quarterback Trey Lance excel in the high number of preseason snaps he will receive? Or could Cooper Rush, who is 6-1 as a starter, be sought after by other teams if they need quarterback help?
Here is the 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACKS (3): Dak Prescott, Trey Lance, Cooper Rush
There could be just two quarterbacks depending on how the preseason games go. Lance will get most of the work as the Cowboys see what the former No. 3 pick can be. If he plays well, maybe he becomes their quarterback of the future -- with Prescott in the final year of his deal -- or trade bait. Rush, 6-1 as a starter, also could be trade bait for teams needing a quality backup. None of the three is signed beyond this season.
RUNNING BACKS (4): Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn
The Cowboys will have a committee approach at running back. Who leads the committee? Probably Elliott because of his nose for the goal line and terrific pass protection. Vaughn is on the bubble, but the coaches are looking at different ways to get him involved in the offense.
FULLBACKS (1): Hunter Luepke
Coach Mike McCarthy has a long history of using fullbacks and believes Luepke can be a solid blocker and can carry the ball, if needed, in certain situations.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5): CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks
There are questions beyond Lamb and Cooks, but the Cowboys believe Tolbert is more than ready to be their No. 3, while Brooks will have a chance to win that job. Turpin has produced when called upon, and his versatility will be a bonus. Plus, the new kickoff rule could make Turpin an even more dangerous returner.
TIGHT ENDS (3): Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens Jr.
Ferguson is coming off a Pro Bowl season. Schoonmaker must make a second-year jump, but he wasn't helped by a hamstring injury that kept him off the field in the offseason. Stephens was on his way to making the roster last year as an undrafted free agent before suffering a torn ACL. A potential sleeper to watch in camp: Princeton Fant.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Brock Hoffman, Zack Martin, Terence Steele, Chuma Edoga, Cooper Beebe, T.J. Bass, Asim Richards, Nathan Thomas
Guyton, the first-round pick, needs to be ready to play immediately in replacing Tyron Smith. Hoffman has the edge on Beebe at the center spot as camp opens. Bass can play all three interior spots, while Richards is working at tackle and guard. Holdovers Josh Ball and Matt Waletzko are about to have their final chance to make an impression.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): DeMarcus Lawrence, Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Micah Parsons, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, Chauncey Golston, Carl Davis, Viliami Fehoko Jr.
Parsons might be listed as a linebacker, but he's an edge player. He could move around more under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer than he did under Dan Quinn. After a disappointing rookie season, Smith has to deliver, but the Cowboys could still look for veteran defensive tackle help, which is why Davis gets the last spot, for now. Fehoko, a fourth-round pick last year, could be trade bait and will have to impress early after not playing as a rookie.
LINEBACKERS (5): Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau, Willie Harvey Jr.
Kendricks is the most important addition of the season because of his knowledge of Zimmer's defense. Kendricks understands what needs to be done at all three levels. Overshown showed promise last summer before tearing an ACL, and the expectations are high for him in his return. It's time for Clark to be a consistent playmaker. Don't rule out Damien Wilson if the Cowboys go to six linebackers.
CORNERBACKS (5): Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Caelen Carson, Gareon Conley
Diggs played in two games before tearing an ACL in a practice. His return will be a major boost to Zimmer's defense. Bland led the NFL in interceptions last season and set a record with five returns for touchdowns. It's up in the air a bit after the top three, which means a return of Stephon Gilmore can't be ruled out. A former first-round pick, Conley is worth a chance after playing in the UFL and gets the last spot over Eric Scott Jr.
SAFETIES (4): Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas
Hooker is the center-field type. Wilson is more of the hitter but has a nose for the ball. Bell was moved to linebacker last season and finished second on the team in tackles. Thomas has the versatility to play multiple spots and is a core special-teamer.
SPECIALISTS (4): Brandon Aubrey(K), Bryan Anger (P), Trent Sieg (LS), C.J. Goodwin (C)
A year ago, Aubrey was an unknown after two seasons in the USFL. Now, he is a Cowboys record setter. Anger has had two Pro Bowl seasons with the Cowboys. Sieg is reliable. Goodwin, a corner by trade, is among the better coverage guys in the league and one of the Cowboys' leaders.