Next few days will determine plenty about Cowboys' roster. Here's where decisions are needed

FRISCO — The last opportunity for Cowboys players on the roster bubble to make an impression began Tuesday. The same goes for competitions at several positions.  

The Cowboys have practices Tuesday and Wednesday at The Ford Center, followed by a walkthrough practice Thursday and Friday’s preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints.

These allow coach Brian Schottenheimer, the rest of his coaching staff and the front office, to decide who will become the backup quarterback to Dak Prescott. Do you need to keep three QBs on the roster?

How many running backs are needed, four or five? Five or six receivers? Are nine or 10 offensive linemen the best number? And of those players, who’s the swing tackle? 

Should Cobie Durant start at corner over Shavon Revel? Players on the bubble: Sam Williams or Marist Lifuau. Both?

Are five safeties enough?

The theme of these practices are to give Schottenheimer one last glimpse at a team that must be finalized at 5 p.m. Sunday. More work will be needed after the 53-man roster is put together because the practice squad, with a max of 17 players, is put together, as well.

“Yeah. I mean, we’re a long way from done,” Schottenheimer said Monday. “I told the guys this morning when we talked to them, we’re still in training camp mode. We look forward to these next two days practicing in front of fans here at The Star. There’s a lot of tight battles, if you will, for certain spots and you guys get it. It’s a very competitive roster, 53 guys and practice squads. So, they need to maximize and they will these opportunities along with the game on Friday night.”

Finding the backup quarterback is at the top of the list. Sam Howell and Joe Milton have each started a preseason game. Howell was in the lead at the start of the preseason schedule, but Milton has forged ahead going into the Saints game.

Five running backs have emerged for the 53-man roster. 

Javonte Williams is the starter, but after that it is uncertain with Jaydon Blue, Malik Davis and Phil Mafah behind him. The Cowboys are counting fullback Hunter Luepke as a valuable player for the 53-man roster. Counting Luepke and Williams, you have room for probably two more.

Wide receiver can become a five-man group. Undrafted rookie Camden Brown emerged for that fifth spot. Jonathan Mingo battled back with a good performance against Arizona in the second preseason game to open the door for either a sixth receiver or, maybe, to push Brown out of the fifth-receiver position.

Finding a swing tackle is of importance. Nate Thomas and Drew Shelton appear headed to the 53-man roster. But who’s the swing tackle?

“Both incredibly talented, but they need to continue to grow,” Schottenheimer said. “Some of it’s fundamental. Both of them think the game very, very well, but there’s fundamental things that we’re talking about with [offensive coordinator] Klayton [Adams] and [offensive line coach] Conor Riley that both guys can improve on. And some of it’s your hand usage and replacing your hands and things like that, and how you set versus a wide technique and the tight technique, very tactical things that both those guys are still learning.”

Schottenheimer must handle the depth problems along the defensive line. Otito Ogbonnia, Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark are locks for the 53. Jonathan Bullard’s health issues raise questions about whether he can play Week 1 at the New York Giants. 

Rookie LT Overton recorded a sack in the second preseason game and second-year player Jay Toia left the last practice in Oxnard on Aug. 20 with an elbow injury. He played through it at Arizona, earning praise from Schottenheimer after registering a quarterback hit, two tackles and a pass deflection.

Edge rushers Williams and Liufau are bubble players who got extensive playing time in the second preseason game. Williams signed a one-year contract in the offseason with $1.4 million guaranteed. Liufau, a 2024 third-round pick, is entering a contract year. 

If you believe safety Markquese Bell is a bubble player, think again. He’s considered a trusted special teams player, in similar fashion to the now retired C.J. Goodwin. The Cowboys don’t want to replace Goodwin with one player, but with a gaggle of them. Bell appears as the leader of that group.

Overall, the next four days will determine plenty for the Cowboys.

This article originally published at Next few days will determine plenty about Cowboys' roster. Here's where decisions are needed.