The Cowboys’ latest roster chatter centers on five players who could flip from bubble to staple as cutdown day approaches, with Friday’s preseason finale against Atlanta serving as the deciding stage. Brian Schottenheimer warns mock rosters will offer surprises, underscoring Dallas’ patience with development and the brutal not-for-long reality of August football. The pieces highlight Mazi Smith as a candidate who could still find a path, James Houston’s edge burst as a potential separator, Mafah Blue Holden’s rookie adjustments, and a cluster of wideouts and cornerbacks battling for depth and special-teams value.

Five bubble cases drive the narrative: Smith’s first-round pedigree clashes with a three-year DL development trope, while Houston shows a rare first-step spark amid crowded DL depth. Mafah is contending for a late-season roster spot after a steady training camp, and Holden’s standout finish keeps a rookie-wayline open for a surprising status shift. The WRs Flournoy and Brooks—plus rookie Holden—test how special-teams impact carries. In the CB room, injuries complicate lines between Booth, Mukuamu and the holdovers, with Ellam-Bland-injury dynamics shaping the final roster picture.

The mood across Frisco is pragmatic: the 53-man projection is a moving target, and the Friday showcase could redefine the Cowboys’ approach to depth, special teams and floor-raising performances for the opening month of the season.

The Cowboys head into Friday’s preseason finale with Luke Schoonmaker in concussion protocol and not practicing on Wednesday, a likely absence that could stretch Dallas’ tight end depth. Brevin Spann-Ford is out with a high-ankle sprain, while DaRon Bland and several other defenders also sat out, creating a rough injury portrait for a team already navigating a thin offense with Jonathan Mingo (knee), Tyler Guyton (knee) and Saahdiq Charles (knee) sidelined. The upcoming Falcons matchup adds urgency to monitor how much Cowboys players can practice and play this week, especially at tight end and in the secondary. For fantasy owners, the status of Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford will ripple through week-to-week projections, with Parsons’ availability also a meaningful variable for Dallas’ defensive upside.

Luke Schoonmaker’s absence would thrust Brevin Spann-Ford into the lead role at tight end, with Peyton Hendershot as a contingency. Dallas will likely lean on two-te formation packages and shorter throws until Schoonmaker returns. If Spann-Ford remains sidelined, Hendershot could flirt with streaming-pick value in deeper leagues, while the Cowboys’ run game and backfield targets could absorb more attention in the short passing game. The overall depth at WR and CB behind the injuries also factors into how aggressive Dallas can be in Week 1 planning.

In fantasy terms, monitor the concussion protocol closely for Schoonmaker and any practice updates for Spann-Ford. Parsons’ status adds another layer: if he’s active, Dallas’ pass rush and defensive ceiling rise markedly, improving overall defensive upside in seasonal formats and boosting matchup potential for opponents against Dallas in repossessed game scripts.

Dallas adds Michael Ojemudia to strengthen the cornerback group as camp injuries thin the depth chart. With Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel sidelined by knee issues, Dallas needs reliable veteran cover and a contributor on special teams, making Ojemudia a plausible Week 1 option. The Broncos’ 2020 third-round pick has bounced between NFL stints and a recent UFL run with DC Defenders, bringing a blend of man-press ability and run support that could help Dallas in multiple alignments. This move signals a push to maximize nickel packages and keep the outside corners fresh early in the season against Philadelphia.

Dallas has leaned into competition at slot and depth roles, with Kaiir Elam and DaRon Blandlock stepping into bigger responsibilities, and ISRAEL Mukuamu and Kemon Hall in reserve mix. Adding Ojemudia gives the Cowboys flexibility to rotate between outside and inside roles, potentially easing the burden on Andrew Booth as he pushes for a 53-man roster. For fantasy observers, the development adds a wrinkle to the Cowboys’ pass defense and could widen opportunity for a few sleepers in the secondary depending on the week-to-week rotation and health status of Diggs and Revel.

Dallas faces a higher-stakes 2025 season as questions pile up on both sides of the ball. A lead backfield battle — Javonte Williams atop the depth chart with Miles Sanders and a rookie push — could shape early game plans for Dallas’ offense, while an injury-plagued offensive line tests Schottenheimer’s rotation and coaching acumen. The big swing in the story, though, is the secondary. PFF’s 31st-ranked pass defense entering 2025 signals a potential mismatch, even with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland on the roster. Diggs’ knee rehab clouds Week 1 readiness, forcing others to step up quickly.

Dallas’ back-end depth is under the microscope: Diggs’ absence to start the year, Bland’s dip from previous All-Pro chatter, and the health of veterans Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson create a precarious safety net. Israel Mukuamu holds the nickel job, but rumors point to Kemon Hall or a youth infusion pressing for snaps. In this environment, the Cowboys must balance banged-up blockers with a vulnerable secondary, and ownership’s risk tolerance could decide how aggressively Dallas addresses it midseason.

In fantasy terms, the Cowboys’ 2025 arc boils down to three levers: health and usage of the backfield, line stability, and the ability of the secondary to stay above water when multiple pieces aren’t at peak. If Williams, Sanders, and the offensive line can anchor the run game, Schottenheimer’s plans can open through play-action and tempo. If not, Dallas may lean on a more conservative attack while the defense fights through early-season bumps, making depth charts and matchups crucial for weekly lineup decisions.