(Editor's Note: Who doesn't love lists? Throughout training camp, 'High 5' will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2024 preseason.)
It happens every year. Training camp injuries and position battles don't go in the direction originally anticipated, and adjustments are needed to be made. Most notably for the Cowboys, Sam Williams' injury provides a significant hit to an already thin position group.
Now that the team has received a better idea of what the 2024 roster will look like, it's time to reassess what the depth chart could look like for Week 1. Here are five needs for the Cowboys roster, with one week of training camp down:
5. Cornerback — All offseason long, the questions surrounding depth at the cornerback position were silenced by the confidence in the returning starters. Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis provide a strong beginning to the depth chart, but the depth is still a question mark. Returners like Nahshon Wright and Eric Scott Jr. have the benefit of extra opportunity behind being a draft pick. However, a more recent draftee, Caelen Carson, has been outshining the two in practice. Showing the depth may not be quite there.
4. Offensive Tackle — Grabbing offensive tackle help this offseason was obviously top priority with the first-round selection of Tyler Guyton. That looks to be a good move so far as the rookie has been impressive in his first week of camp. The same cannot be said for the tackles behind him. It may be tough to find a swing tackle candidate from the list of guys already on the roster like Chuma Edoga, Matt Waletzko, and Josh Ball. Meaning that outside tackle depth could be a necessity.
3. Edge Rusher — On the outside looking in, the Cowboys still have one of the best past rushing duos in football with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. But just like cornerback, behind the starters sit a whole level of uncertainty. Marshawn Kneeland appears to be off to a strong start, but without Sam Williams in the rotation, there's a need for a veteran edge rusher with either the speed or power to complement the second-round pick. The Cowboys at least addressed the position Thursday by signing both Al-Quadin Muhammad and Shaka Toney.
2. Running Back — No position has more players that are unsure of their future than the running back spot. Right now, there are eight players at the position all fighting for either a starting spot or to stay on the roster. It's not the easiest position to be in, but one of those tailbacks will have to emerge as the playmaker. It's likely that their chance to show the playmaking ability won't come until the preseason game. And to this point, no one has emerged from the pack.
1. Defensive Tackle — You may be reading this and think it's a knock on Mazi Smith. It's not. Smith has done a nice job this offseason of adding weight and explosiveness to his game. There's just a need for a bigger-bodied defensive tackle to fill the void of Jonathan Hankins who departed this offseason. Dallas has added depth at the position with Justin Rogers and Denzel Daxon, but a veteran in that room would go a long way for the rotation and the young defensive tackles.
