Jeff CavanaughAug 25, 2026

Building their projected Cowboys 53-man roster on defense, Jeff keeps five interior linemen (Kenny Clark, Quentin, Tito Obonia, LT Overton, Bullard), six edge rushers including Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence and Marist Liufau while cutting Sam Williams, four linebackers with Jayshawn Barham starting, six corners including rookie Devin Moore, and four safeties including Marquise Bell.

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

17 of 18calls landed17 hits · 1 miss · 10 waiting

94.4Average accuracyout of 100, across 18 calls

83.3A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

18 of 28Settled10 still waiting

10Waitingnot graded yet

What Jeff Cavanaugh said

So Marquise Bell is making your football team.

Jeff Cavanaugh, the lead quote

Where it was said: DLLS Dallas Cowboys (podcast)
The episode: Cowboys Defense 53-Man Roster Projection: Who Actually Makes It?
The original: Hear the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

SaidAug 25
GradedSep 25–Nov 9

Box score, by kind

HitCloseMissWaiting

Group	Hits	Misses	Waiting
Roster Spot Calls	17	1	3
Depth Chart Calls	0	0	7
All	17	1	10

How each call scored

28 checkable claims — 21 roster spot calls and 7 depth chart calls — 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.

18 of 28 have settled so far, averaging 94.4 out of 100, against 83.3 for a naive guess at the same calls.

Of the 5 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 4.

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

Caleb Downs · 2026 season

Jeff Cavanaugh — 1the room — 7 calls from 6 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 Calls17 hits · 1 miss · 3 waitingShow ▸

Marist Liufau to make the roster
“I'm gonna say Leofell makes it as a special teamer. I believe I'm with you.”
Marist Liufau Dallas Cowboys
1 week on a 53
100Hit
100 − 100 naive = 0 × 2 difficulty = 0 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
0
player:
Marist Liufau
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:
1
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
9
weeks on the practice squad:
0
Think this is wrong?
Jonathan Bullard to make the roster
“So if they play a roster game with Bullard ... if you're gonna have him hurt, he has to make it first. ... Put Bullard in as the left defensive end.”
Jonathan Bullard 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 Bullard
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?
Curtis Robinson to be cut
“the Curtis Robinson can go and, Robert Pattinson or whatever”
Curtis Robinson Dallas Cowboys
1 week on a 53
0Miss
0 − 100 naive = −100 × 2 difficulty = −200 skill
How this was scored
club:
DAL
skill:
−200
player:
Curtis Robinson
season:
2026
claimed:
he does not make the 53
accuracy:
0
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:
1
weeks left when called:
18
first week on the53:
2
weeks on the practice squad:
2
Think this is wrong?
DeMarvion Overshown to make the roster
“Overshone and Barham is what I say are the first two moving over there.”
DeMarvion Overshown 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:
DeMarvion Overshown
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?
Jalen Thompson to make the roster
“So it's safety, Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker. Bang and bang.”
Jalen Thompson 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:
Jalen Thompson
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?
Kenny Clark to make the roster
“I got Quinton making the team. I got Kenny making the team.”
Kenny Clark 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:
Kenny Clark
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?
L.T. Overton to make the roster
“Let's just be honest. We know Overton's gonna be here. ... I just wanted to give him some notes as he makes the team.”
L.T. Overton 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:
L.T. Overton
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?
Malik Hooker to make the roster
“So it's safety, Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker. Bang and bang.”
Malik Hooker 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:
Malik Hooker
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?
Donovan Ezeiruaku to make the roster
“Put Esaraku and Gary, they can go as numbers one and two.”
Donovan Ezeiruaku 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:
Donovan Ezeiruaku
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?
Rashan Gary to make the roster
“Put Esaraku and Gary, they can go as numbers one and two.”
Rashan Gary 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:
Rashan Gary
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?
P.J. Locke to make the roster
“So PJ Locke is in.”
P.J. Locke 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:
P.J. Locke
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?
Jaishawn Barham to make the roster
“Overshone and Barham is what I say are the first two moving over there.”
Jaishawn Barham 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:
Jaishawn Barham
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?
Quinnen Williams to make the roster
“Put Quentin at the left. ... I got Quinton making the team.”
Quinnen Williams 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:
Quinnen Williams
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?
Markquese Bell to make the roster
“So Marquise Bell is making your football team.”
Markquese Bell 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:
Markquese Bell
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?
Malachi Lawrence to make the roster
“Malachi Lawrence gonna be in there.”
Malachi Lawrence 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:
Malachi Lawrence
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?
Otito Ogbonnia to make the roster
“But Tito goes to the top. Put Tito Obonia as the right defensive end”
Otito Ogbonnia 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:
Otito Ogbonnia
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?
Von Miller to make the roster
“congratulations to Von Miller on making the football team”
Von Miller 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:
Von Miller
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?
Shemar James to make the roster
“Shamar James on the team. Shamar James on the team.”
Shemar James 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:
Shemar James
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?
Tyler Baron to land on the practice squad
“And and we're gonna put my man back on the credit squad. Baron?”
Tyler Baron Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Tommy Dunn to land on the practice squad
“target for the practice squad, most likely. I would imagine so.”
Tommy Dunn Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Devin Moore to make the roster
“Devin Moore is gonna make the football team, and this is coming from somebody who really likes Devin Moore as a draft prospect.”
Devin Moore Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Depth Chart Calls7 waitingShow ▸

DaRon Bland to be 1st on the depth chart
“My starters, Kobe Durant and Deron Bland. ... Put Bland and Rebel.”
DaRon Bland Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Shavon Revel Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“I think Rebel's gonna start in front of, Durant.”
Shavon Revel Jr.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
“Starting linebacker, Jayshawn Barham.”
Jaishawn Barham Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Jonathan Bullard to be 5th on the depth chart
“the fact that he is a proven veteran NFL defensive lineman to me does make him number five in this group”
Jonathan Bullard Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Devin Moore to be 5th on the depth chart
“So I think Devin Moore's quarterback five.”
Devin Moore Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
Caleb Downs to be 1st on the depth chart
“And we know downs are gonna be the slot.”
Caleb Downs Dallas Cowboys
—Waiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
L.T. Overton to be 2nd on the depth chart
“You could put him, r d e two. You can put him r d e two if you want to.”
L.T. Overton 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.