Updated depth chart

[jarntt]

Obviously the order is up for grabs, but good to see all the players in one spot by position.

Cowboys 2016 Draft: How The Depth Chart Stacks Up Post Draft
By duckman4real  @duckman4real on May 1, 2016, 10:30a +


Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The draft is over and the UDFAs are starting to sign up. Here's a look at the depth cart is shaking out so far.

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Well that's it everybody. The NFL Draft is over for another year. The draft picks are in and the teams are burning up the phone lines trying to sign undrafted free agents. The Dallas Cowboys made nine draft selections over the last three days, and as of last count the front office had signed an additional 15 UDFAs. There will be some movement with these post-draft signings before Friday's rookie mini-camp, and the Cowboys will also invite some unsigned players to participate next weekend as well. As for us, let's take one last look at how all this weekend's action affected the depth chart before the offseason begins in earnest.

OFFENSE

Quarterback (4)

Tony Romo, 14th season
Kellen Moore, 5th
Dak Prescott, Rookie
Jameill Showers, 2nd


Dallas finally took a quarterback at number 135 overall with their compensatory pick in the fourth round. Prescott is a player the Cowboys have been openly interested in and the team is certainly excited for the player they believe he can become. For now we'll start him at third on the chart, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him pass Kellen Moore at some point this season.

Running Back (6)

Darren McFadden, 9th
Ezekiel Elliott, Rookie
Alfred Morris, 5th
Lance Dunbar, 5th
Darius Jackson, Rookie
Rod Smith, 2nd
Ben Malena, 2nd

After taking Elliott with the fourth-overall selection I thought the front office might forego another runner in this draft. I was proved wrong with pick of Jackson in the sixth round. I currently have him slotted at fifth, but his addition could mean trouble for a player further up the food chain.

Wide Receiver (11)

Dez Bryant, 7th
Terrence Williams, 4th
Cole Beasley, 4th
Brice Butler, 4th
Lucky Whitehead, 2nd
Devin Street. 3rd
Chris Brown, UDFA
Vince Mayle, 2nd
Rodney Smith, 4th
Ed Eagan, UDFA
Andy Jones, UDFA

Dallas didn't end up taking a wide out in the draft, but a soon as the last pick was in they got on the phone and signed three UDFA pass catchers. Eagan and Jones slot in at the bottom of the group, but Smith played at Notre Dame and could challenge for roster spot this summer.


Tight End (6)

Jason Witten, 14th
James Hannah, 5th
Gavin Escobar, 4th
Geoff Swaim, 2nd
Rico Gathers, Rookie
Austin Traylor, UDFA

I was starting to think that the Cowboys weren't going to draft a tight end in 2016, but with their final pick the guys in the war room decided to take former Baylor basketball player Gathers. And for good measure, the team signed Traylor after the draft was over.

Offensive Tackle (6)

Tyron Smith, 6th
Doug Free, 10th
Charles Brown, 7th
Chaz Green, 2nd
Ryan Mack, UDFA
David Hedelin, UDFA

Offensive Guard (5)

Zack Martin, 3rd
La'el Collins, 2nd
Ronald Leary, 5th
Jared Smith, 4th
Boston Stiverson, UDFA

Center (3)

Travis Frederick, 4th
Joe Looney, 5th
Jake Brendel, UDFA

After not spending a single pick on an offensive lineman in the draft, the front office signed five UDFAs. They got two tackles, a guard, and a center. They all figure to be camp bodies with hopes of making the practice squad, but strange things can happen in training camp.

DEFENSE

Defensive End (8)

DeMarcus Lawrence(SUS), 3rd
Randy Gregory(SUS), 2nd
Benson Mayowa, 4th
David Irving,2nd
Charls Tapper, Rookie
Ryan Russell, 2nd
Michael McAdoo, 6th
Caleb Azubike, UDFA

The lack of a defensive end pick in the first two days was causing a good deal of anxiety among Cowboys fans, so thankfully the team pulled the trigger on one with the first pick of day three, Tapper is a very intriguing player with loads of athletic ability. They signed UDFA Azubike as well and they may not be done yet.

Defensive Tackle (9)

Tyrone Crawford, 5th
Cedric Thornton, 6th
Jack Crawford, 5th
Terrell McClain, 6th
Maliek Collins, Rookie
Casey Walker, 4th
Justin Renfrow, 3rd
Rodney Coe, UDFA
Jason Neill, UDFA

The Cowboys addition of Collins on Friday is still one of my favorite picks in this draft. He figures to be a solid contributor in 2016 with starter potential down the road. After the draft the team filled out the bottom of the depth chart with two more UDFAs.

Middle Linebacker (5)

Rolando McClain, 7th
Jaylon Smith, Rookie
Andrew Gachkar, 6th
Keith Smith, 3rd
Deon King, UDFA

Yesterday there were some questions a to why I put Smith in the middle linebacker group. I don't know if anybody associated with BTB has watched as much of Jaylon as I have over the years. Notre Dame is my college team and I have been aware of Smith since he was 17. At the end of the day he can play either Mike or Will, but he is a natural in the middle. The Cowboys also signed UDFA King out of FCS Norfolk State.

Outside Linebacker (7)

Sean Lee, 7th
Anthony Hitchens, 3rd
Kyle Wilber, 5th
Damien Wilson, 2nd
Mark Nzeocha, 2nd
Jerrell Harris, 5th
Derek Akunne, 2nd

So far the team hasn't added any players who are primarily Will or Sam linebacker, but that like all these situations is fluid.

Cornerback (11)

Orlando Scandrick, 9th
Morris Claiborne, 5th
Brandon Carr, 9th
Josh Thomas, 6th
Deji Olatoye, 3rd
Anthony Brown, Rookie
Terrance Mithcell, 3rd
Arjen Colquhoun, UDFA
Buddy Jackson,5th
Brandon McGee, 4th
Jeremiah McKinnon, UDFA

Dallas is currently sitting at 11 corners on the roster. They chose Brown out of Purdue in the sixth and then added two more corners as UDFAs.

Safety (6)

Byron Jones, 2nd
Barry Church, 7th
JJ Wilcox, 4th
Jeff Heath, 4th
Kavon Frazier Rookie
Rolan Milligan, UDFA

Another sixth-rounder, Frazier, figures to be a special teams contributor for Dallas. They also added a UDFA camp body in Milligan, but you never know what a kid might do with his shot.

SPECIALISTS

Kicker (2)

Dan Bailey, 6th
Matt Wile, 2nd

Punter (1)

Chris Jones, 6th

Long Snapper (2)

LP LaDouceur, 12th
Brandon Hartson, 4th

Kick Returner (2)

Lucky Whitehead, 2nd
Cole Beasley, 5th

Punt Returner (2)

Lucky Whitehead, 2nd
Cole Beasley, 5th

As of yet, Dallas hasn't added anymore specialists, and it is entirely likely that they won't. The one place they might look is at an additional punter but who knows.

That's a wrap folks. The depth chart is currently up to date. The fun thing about the NFL of course, is that the roster is never set in stone and players come and go all the time. This weekends mini-camp could see a player play himself into a training camp invite. It happened with Ben Bass back in 2012, and it could happen again. As for now, stay tuned right here to Blogging The Boys for all the latest news on the Dallas Cowboys, and if you want to learn more abut all the newest members of the team check out the great work our own Ryan Ratty is doing with player film breakdowns.

Cowboys 2016 Draft: How The Depth Chart Stacks Up Post Draft

 

[jarntt]

A lot jumps out a me, but two are:
Obviously Smith isn't #2 on the depth chart right now with his injury
This really shows how Crawford playing some DE for the first 4 games could be beneficial to this team IMO.

 

[CarlSr]

I wish they would bring someone in to compete with Chris Jones. There's room for improvement there.

 

[bigdaddytorr]

I see Smith playing the Sam LB position

 

[jarntt]

I wish they would bring someone in to compete with Chris Jones. There's room for improvement there.

He was 3rd in the NFL in net punting. That's pretty good, no?

 

[jarntt]

I see Smith playing the Sam LB position

Really? He looks like an absolutely perfect fit at the Will. I'd say Sam is the least likely spot. Hopefully we find out at some point this year and he starts practicing

 

[bigdaddytorr]

Really? He looks like an absolutely perfect fit at the Will. I'd say Sam is the least likely spot. Hopefully we find out at some point this year and he starts practicing

His man coverage skills are outstanding which is why I see him at Sam. Honestly, he can play all 3 LB spots... much like Sean Lee.

 

[UK Cowboy]

I gotta tell ya, if Romo and Dez stay upright, we are winning the Division

 

[Eastbay]

I gotta tell ya, if Romo and Dez stay upright, we are winning the Division

Who do you think is the greatest threat in the division? I hate to say I think it is the Skids

 

[UK Cowboy]

Who do you think is the greatest threat in the division? I hate to say I think it is the Skids

I believe it's the Giants. I think the Skins took advantage of a last place schedule, injuries to the Cowboys, Chip blowing up the Eagles, and an off year from the Giants. First place schedule for the Skins is gonna equal 6-!0 IMO

 

[PDay8810]

last place schedule

that and an upright Romo with general good health elsewhere has Dallas much closer to a 12-4 team than last years team.

 

[jarntt]

I gotta tell ya, if Romo and Dez stay upright, we are winning the Division

Agree. Division isn't going to be great. Don't see why we can't win 9 or even 10 games with that schedule with health (mostly Romo) and we get some kind of pass rush to help our DBs which I think we will once the dopes come back. I'm excited to see what some of these rooks can do and Gregory too once he is back.

 

[Manster7588]

I wish they would bring someone in to compete with Chris Jones. There's room for improvement there.

He was 3rd in the NFL in net punting. That's pretty good, no?

I'll say most positions can be upgraded, but punter is low on the need list, at least in my opinion.

 

[UK Cowboy]

I heard Louis Riddick talking this morning about how much he loved the Elliott pick. He said with that OLine, they would be facing a lot of 8 man front, which would make it pitch and catch for Tony and Dez

 

[jarntt]

I heard Louis Riddick talking this morning about how much he loved the Elliott pick. He said with that OLine, they would be facing a lot of 8 man front, which would make it pitch and catch for Tony and Dez

Dez is still going to see a lot of attention. I think the result is more allowing guys like TWill, Butler and the others to possibly get open deep with one safety up and the other rolled towards Dez.

 

[PDay8810]

I heard Louis Riddick talking this morning about how much he loved the Elliott pick. He said with that OLine, they would be facing a lot of 8 man front, which would make it pitch and catch for Tony and Dez

that is the thing about the NFL....all about the numbers

 

[UK Cowboy]

Dez is still going to see a lot of attention. I think the result is more allowing guys like TWill, Butler and the others to possibly get open deep with one safety up and the other rolled towards Dez.

Kinda like 2014...12-4

 

[ArlingtonCowboys100]

I wish they would bring someone in to compete with Chris Jones. There's room for improvement there.

I been saying that for years. his touch back don't make up for all the horrible punts he has made.

 

[ArlingtonCowboys100]

jerrah picked elliot 4th overall. he is #1 on the real depth chart

 

[ArlingtonCowboys100]

I have a feeling McFadden or morris get traded or cut . the 6th round rb looks like a steal.