Jeff CavanaughAug 26, 2026

Jeff projected the Cowboys' offensive 53-man roster: nine offensive linemen (with Bass, Shelton, Leverett and Cornelius as the depth pieces and Nate Thomas and Keegan cut), three tight ends, Javonte Williams and Malik Davis atop the backfield, and five receivers with Mingo in and Camden Brown headed to the practice squad. They also gave reception and passing projections and said Jayshawn Barham will be starting before long.

Said on air, transcribed by us · DLLS Dallas Cowboys (podcast)Hear the original

7 of 8calls landed7 hits · 1 miss · 19 waiting

87.5Average accuracyout of 100, across 8 calls

75A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

8 of 27Settled19 still waiting

19Waitingnot graded yet

What Jeff Cavanaugh said

So he stays, and Keegan goes, and we're gonna keep nine.

Jeff Cavanaugh, the lead quote

Where it was said: DLLS Dallas Cowboys (podcast)
The episode: Cowboys Offensive Roster Projection + What Jaishawn Barham Said That Fans Will LOVE
The original: Hear the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

SaidAug 26
GradedSep 25–Oct 3

Box score, by kind

HitCloseMissWaiting

Group	Hits	Misses	Waiting
Roster Spot Calls	7	1	4
Depth Chart Calls	0	0	8
Player Season Numbers	0	0	7
All	7	1	19

How each call scored

27 checkable claims — 12 roster spot calls, 8 depth chart calls and 7 player season numbers — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 25 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

8 of 27 have settled so far, averaging 87.5 out of 100, against 75 for a naive guess at the same calls.

Of the 11 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 2 and below it on 9.

Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.

Where this call stands in the room

Javonte Williams · 2026 season

Jeff Cavanaugh — 1the room — 10 calls from 10 punditsmedian 1

Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.

Roster Spot Calls7 hits · 1 miss · 4 waitingShow ▸

Hunter Luepke to make the roster
“I'll put Hunter over that fullback.”
Hunter Luepke Dallas Cowboys
4 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
Hunter Luepke
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
4
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Luke Schoonmaker to make the roster
“So Luke Schoonmaker is tied in number three, and everyone else is going home except Michael Trigg.”
Luke Schoonmaker Dallas Cowboys
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
Luke Schoonmaker
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Nick Leverett to make the roster
“Bass Shelton, Leverett. And Cornelius or Thomas?”
Nick Leverett Dallas Cowboys
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
Nick Leverett
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Ajani Cornelius to make the roster
“Cornelius? Yeah. That's what I would do. Cornelius has been better... So he stays, and Keegan goes, and we're gonna keep nine.”
Ajani Cornelius Dallas Cowboys
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
Ajani Cornelius
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Camden Brown to be cut
“Is Camden Brown gonna make the 53 initially? No.”
Camden Brown Dallas Cowboys
3 weeks on a 53
0Miss
0 − 0 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
Camden Brown
season:
2026
claimed:
he does not make the 53
accuracy:
0
baseline:
0
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
TJ Bass to make the roster
“TJ Bass makes the team. Right? You're at six.”
TJ Bass Dallas Cowboys
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
TJ Bass
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Drew Shelton to make the roster
“Shelton's gonna make it... They'll keep the draft back. They'll keep Shelton.”
Drew Shelton Dallas Cowboys
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 0 naive = 100 × 2 difficulty = +200 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
200
player:
Drew Shelton
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
0
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Jonathan Mingo to make the roster
“who serves you better? Mingo or Camden Brown? The answer is Jonathan Mingo... Mingo's on the team.”
Jonathan Mingo Dallas Cowboys
3 weeks on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
Jonathan Mingo
season:
2026
claimed:
he makes the 53
accuracy:
100
baseline:
100
difficulty:
2
the naive guess:
he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
weeks in the season:
18
weeks on the53:
3
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
1
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Nathan Thomas to be cut
“Pick a tackle, Thomas or Cornelius... Cornelius has been better.”
Nathan Thomas Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Trevor Keegan to be cut
“So he stays, and Keegan goes, and we're gonna keep nine.”
Trevor Keegan Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Marquez Valdes-Scantling to be cut
“We'd like to thank Marquez Valdez Scantling for signing just in case George wasn't gonna show up and stuff and hanging out for a bit.”
Marquez Valdes-Scantling Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jaydon Blue to make the roster
“And so Jaden Blue is in and obviously brings something a little bit different from both of those guys”
Jaydon Blue Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Depth Chart Calls8 waitingShow ▸

Malik Davis to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Malik Davis is running back number two. He is the primary backup to Javonte Williams.”
Malik Davis Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Brevyn Spann-Ford to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Brevin's fan forward has come along. He has no doubt tight end two. He's gonna play a lot.”
Brevyn Spann-Ford Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jaishawn Barham to be 1st on the depth chart
“If he doesn't start there, it won't be long.”
Jaishawn Barham Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Ryan Flournoy to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Let's get Ryan Flannoy up at wide receiver three.”
Ryan Flournoy Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Javonte Williams to be 1st on the depth chart
“Javonte, number one. Done and done.”
Javonte Williams Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Joe Milton III to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Joe Milton's a backup. Right?”
Joe Milton III Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Luke Schoonmaker to be 3rd on the depth chart
“So Luke Schoonmaker is tied in number three”
Luke Schoonmaker Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
KaVontae Turpin to be 4th on the depth chart
“Turpin's 4. Turpin's 4.”
KaVontae Turpin Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Player Season Numbers7 waitingShow ▸

Jake Ferguson to record 70 receptions
“You put Ferg around 70.”
Jake Ferguson Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
George Pickens to record 90 receptions
“Pickens had 93 last year. Slam had 75, and he missed four games. You put both of them around 90.”
George Pickens Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Brevyn Spann-Ford to record 35–40 receptions
“I was gonna go, like, 35 to 40. 35.”
Brevyn Spann-Ford Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
CeeDee Lamb to record 90 receptions
“Slam had 75, and he missed four games. You put both of them around 90.”
CeeDee Lamb Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Dak Prescott to record 4,500–5,000 passing yards
“I think he'll be in that ballpark... He'll be between 45 and 5,000.”
Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Javontee Herndon to record 20 receptions
“Devonte's gonna get 20.”
Javontee Herndon Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jaydon Blue to record 15 receptions
“Blue's gonna get 15.”
Jaydon Blue Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Others on the same people

Rich Eisen · Trade and Signing Calls · Micah Parsons · Miss 0
Eisen expects Myles Garrett to be traded before the draft and says the Browns will then take Abdul Carter with their early first-round pick; they also predict Buffalo will end up paying James Cook and that Micah Parsons will remain a Cowboy and get their money from Dallas, likely late in the process.
Randy Gurzi · Roster Spot Calls · Jordan Hudson · Miss 0
Gurzi predicts the Cowboys' 17-man practice squad, naming each player they expect Dallas to sign, including a surprise addition of released Giants tackle Evan Neal. They also predict Jaydon Blue will be claimed off waivers by another team and that Sam Williams will land elsewhere.
Jesse Holley · Roster Spot Calls · Marist Liufau · Hit 100
Holley expects Jay Toia to stick on the defensive line, Marist Liufau to make the team as a special teamer, Devin Moore to make the roster, and Joe Milton to be the backup quarterback ahead of Sam Howell.
Moe Moton · Roster Spot Calls · Marist Liufau · Miss 0
Moton rated Liufau a 9-out-of-10 on their trade probability meter, arguing that with Dallas' crowded edge room they are a long shot to make the 53-man roster and is either a trade or cut candidate.
Pete Prisco · Score Predictions · Dallas Cowboys · Close 76
Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson.
Jake Arthur · Game Outcome Picks · Dallas Cowboys · Hit 100
Arthur predicted the Cowboys would beat the Colts 31-24 at Lucas Oil Stadium, a closer loss than Indianapolis' recent blowouts, citing Dallas' large talent edge offset by its poor defense. They also made several lineup calls for the game and suggested it could be Jonathan Taylor's last home game as a Colt ahead of the trade deadline.

More roster spot calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role.
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots.
Parker Hurley · Roster Spot Calls · Khalid Kareem · Miss 0
Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut.
Jason Harmon · Roster Spot Calls · Max Brosmer · Miss 0
Harmon expects the Vikings' quarterback room to stay intact while Kyler Murray is hurt, and predicts Max Brosmer will be released and re-signed to the practice squad since Minnesota won't carry four QBs.
Chad Jensen · Roster Spot Calls · Jordan Turner · Miss 0
Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot.
Charean Williams · Roster Spot Calls · Odell Beckham Jr. · Miss 0
Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad.