FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys fly to Oxnard, California, on July 25 to open training camp, hoping to become the first repeat champion in the NFC East since the 2003-04 Philadelphia Eagles, but also to take it further than a wild-card loss in the playoffs.
To get there, the Cowboys will need their best players -- such as QB Dak Prescott, LB Micah Parsons, OT Tyron Smith, OG Zack Martin, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, CB Trevon Diggs, RB Ezekiel Elliott and WR CeeDee Lamb -- to play like stars. Depth will be an issue, as it is for most teams. So will injuries. The Cowboys will also need their role players, rookies and newcomers to do more than just take a spot on the roster.
Here's a 53-man roster projection.
QUARTERBACK (2): Prescott, Cooper Rush
Prescott is 100% back from the ankle injury and looks leaner than he ever has. Rush won an important game a year ago in Minnesota, but Will Grier could work his way into the mix with solid work in the preseason.