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Initial Cowboys depth chart projection 2023: Will Deuce Vaughn push Turpin out?

By Cody Williams

OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27 Running back Deuce Vaughn #42 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields on July 27, 2023 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27 Running back Deuce Vaughn #42 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields on July 27, 2023 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Cowboys depth chart projection, Cowboys 53-man roster prediction
Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) during training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports /

Cowboys depth chart projection: Defensive line, EDGE rushers

Defensive Tackle: Osa Odighizuwa, Chauncey Gholston, Junior Fehoko, Quinton Bohana

We can call this a depth chart, but the fact of the matter is that we’re likely to see a lot of situational work from this entire group. Odighizuwa is a pass-rusher, which most of this group has the ability to do, but they’ll likely look to Bohana and perhaps Gholston or the rookie Fehoko to help shore up the run defense on early downs.

Neville Gallimore is the notable omission here but, after a few years of underperforming and then poor showings in camp, I don’t see him ending up on the 53-man roster.

Nose Tackle: Mazi Smith, Johnathan Hankins

The first-round pick for the Cowboys this year, Mazi Smith, is going to be relied upon to shore up the run defense. But for the first time in a while, Dallas can see this depth has a huge strength. Smith could potentially take some snaps not at the nose to make way for Hankins, who really helped smooth over a weak area of the defense last year when he was brought into the fold.

Defensive End/EDGE: Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Sam Williams, Dante Fowler Jr.

Obviously, Parsons and Lawrence are complete studs for the Cowboys defense who given them the best pass-rushing duo in essentially a decade that fans have seen. But what makes this group even better is the depth behind them.

Armstrong has proven that he’s exceptional as a rotational pass-rusher, Williams started to come along at the end of last season and could be in line for a year two breakout, and Fowler is familiar with Dan Quinn and has emerged as a solid role player. This group as a whole should be one of the backbones of the defense and team as a whole this season.

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