So, here we are. It is January 2026, and if you’ve been following the rollercoaster that was the Dallas Cowboys' 2025 season, you know things didn't exactly go to plan. They finished 7-9-1. A tie! In 2025! Honestly, it felt like the most Cowboys way possible to miss the playoffs for a second straight year.
But when we talk about the cowboys depth chart 2025, most people just look at the names and assume talent equals wins. It doesn't. Not in Big D, anyway. The roster underwent a massive facelift before the season even started—the kind of surgery that leaves a few scars. Gone were the days of Zack Martin anchoring the line or DeMarcus Lawrence chasing down quarterbacks in the star. Instead, we got a youth movement mixed with some high-stakes trades that made Jerry Jones look like he was playing Madden on "Chaos Mode."
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Let’s be real: the biggest shocker wasn't even on the field. It was the fact that Brian Schottenheimer took over the headset after Mike McCarthy and the team couldn't agree on a contract. That ripple effect hit every single position group.
The Dak and CeeDee Connection: Still the Engine?
You’ve probably heard people say Dak is the problem. Or that CeeDee is the only reason the offense moves. Kinda true, kinda not. Dak Prescott basically carried this team on his back in 2025, throwing for over 4,700 yards. He actually made the Pro Bowl again. But the depth chart behind him? It was... thin. Joe Milton III was the backup, which is fun for the preseason highlights because the dude can throw a ball through a brick wall, but you don't really want him starting meaningful December games yet.
CeeDee Lamb remains the undisputed king of the wide receiver room. Even with a terrifying concussion scare against the Lions late in the year, he was the primary target. But the cowboys depth chart 2025 looked a lot different because of George Pickens.
Yeah, remember that trade? Bringing in Pickens from the Steelers was a total Jerry move. High talent, high drama. Pickens actually ended up as a 2nd Team All-Pro alongside Brandon Aubrey (who is basically a cheat code at this point). Having Pickens and Lamb on the outside should have been unstoppable, but the run game was a different story.
The Backfield Committee
- Javonte Williams: The lead dog. He had a career year with an 81.7 PFF grade.
- Malik Davis: The reliable backup who took the gritty short-yardage snaps.
- Jaydon Blue: The rookie out of Texas who showed flashes but is still learning how to pass protect in the NFL.
The Micah Parsons-Sized Hole in the Defense
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Lion that left the room.
Trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers right before the 2025 season started was the move that broke the fan base. People are still mad. You’re probably still mad. Getting two first-round picks and Kenny Clark back was a huge haul on paper, but you can’t just "replace" Micah.
The defensive cowboys depth chart 2025 tried to patch it together. They brought in Quinnen Williams from the Jets in another massive trade (giving up Mazi Smith and picks) to shore up the middle. Quinnen was a beast—he made the Pro Bowl—but the edge rushing was inconsistent. Donovan Ezeiruaku, the rookie from Boston College, had some moments, but he’s not a game-wrecker yet.
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The linebacking corps was basically the "DeMarvion Overshown Show." When he was healthy, he was everywhere. But when he went down, the depth looked shaky. Kenneth Murray Jr. and Logan Wilson (another new arrival) played a ton of snaps, but the defense allowed way too many "forty burgers" to teams like the Packers. Talk about salt in the wound—seeing Micah thrive in Green Bay while the Cowboys' defense struggled to find an identity.
Why the Offensive Line isn't what it used to be
For a decade, the Cowboys were "O-Line U." That’s over. 2025 was the first year without Zack Martin, and man, you could tell.
The depth chart saw Tyler Smith move to Left Guard, while the rookie Tyler Booker (first-round pick from Alabama) took over at Right Guard. Cooper Beebe handled the snapping duties. It’s a young group. It’s a talented group. But they’re not a cohesive unit yet.
Terence Steele stayed at Right Tackle, but he’s still a polarizing figure among fans. Some days he’s a wall; other days he’s a revolving door. The lack of veteran leadership on the line meant Dak was under pressure way more than Jerry would like to admit. They gave up 31 sacks, which isn't the worst in the league, but it's enough to stall drives when you need them most.
The 2025 Secondary Shuffle
Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland are still the names you know, but the depth behind them shifted. Shavon Revel Jr., the third-round pick from East Carolina, got thrown into the fire early because of injuries to Caelen Carson.
Honestly, the safety play was the most consistent part of the defense. Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson are a solid duo, and Markquese Bell is basically a Swiss Army knife. But when your front four isn't getting home because you traded your best pass rusher, the DBs can only hold up for so long.
What’s next for this roster?
Looking at the cowboys depth chart 2025, the "all-in" mantra Jerry Jones loves to spout felt more like "half-in, half-rebuild." They have 22 players with expiring contracts heading into this 2026 offseason.
Javonte Williams and George Pickens are both UFAs. If the Cowboys don't pay up, Dak is going to be looking at a very empty cupboard next season. And then there's the cap. Dak is scheduled for a $74 million cap hit in 2026. You read that right. $74 million.
The front office has some impossible decisions to make. Do they extend CeeDee to lower his hit? Do they let Javonte walk and draft another back? One thing is for sure: the 2025 depth chart was a transition phase, and the transition isn't over.
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If you're looking for actionable insights on where this team goes next, keep an eye on the defensive end market in free agency. They cannot go into 2026 without a legitimate veteran edge rusher. Also, watch the Restricted Free Agent (RFA) tenders for guys like Brandon Aubrey and T.J. Bass. Losing Aubrey would be a disaster; he’s essentially the only reason they won seven games.
The Cowboys are currently about $33 million over the projected 2026 cap. Expect a flurry of restructures for Dak and Tyler Smith before March. Without those moves, this depth chart is going to get even thinner.