The Dallas Cowboys are less than a month away from departing for Oxnard, Calif., for training camp, as the Brian Schottenheimer era approaches its official beginning on July 21.
In the Cowboys Depth Chart series, we will take a look at each position group to determine which players are safe, on the bubble or have work to do in terms of making the 53-man roster coming out of training camp in late August.
At the defensive end position, the Cowboys have a surplus of pass rush talent that should be the strength of the entire defensive unit. Alongside them, a handful of physical defensive ends are available in run support. With such a talented room, only so many can make the 53-cut.
Here’s a look at the defensive end position going into camp.
SAFE (5)
Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler Jr., Donovan Ezeiruaku, Marshawn Kneeland, Sam Williams
Time will tell if a contract extension for Micah Parsons will come before the season or not. Regardless, he is expected to be on the 53-man roster and play in week one with or without the extension in his hand. Who starts opposite of Parsons will be fun to track, as Dante Fowler Jr. is back in the fold fresh off a double-digit sack season with the Washington Commanders and Sam Williams returns after tearing his ACL in training camp last season.
The last two drafts have seen the Cowboys take a defensive end in the second round, as rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku brings one of the deepest pass rush arsenals in all of the rookie class, and second-year player Marshawn Kneeland provides early down value with his run defense knacks.
ON THE BUBBLE (2)
Payton Turner, Tyrus Wheat
A former first-round pick who finally played a full season in 2024 after going through multiple injuries early in his career, Payton Turner arrives in Dallas with high hopes that he can provide help in defending the run off the edge. Can he stay healthy and does he still have a quick enough burst to handle that responsibility? Answering yes to both of those questions will earn him the final roster spot.
If he cannot live up to those expectations, Tyrus Wheat is once again available as a big-bodied option that can provide special teams value.
WORK TO DO (2)
Luiji Vilain, Earnest Brown IV
While Luiji Vilain did show some flash in the offseason program, he still has an uphill battle at earning a roster spot. At the least, a practice squad spot could be in his future with a strong camp.
The same could be said for Earnest Brown IV who will have to show something in the preseason to prove he is more worthy of a roster spot than the large cluster of names above him.