The Dallas Cowboys are entering a pivotal chapter in their 2025 NFL season preparations, and while the focus for many fans and analysts has centered on marquee names like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons, the real story unfolding in camp is far deeper than surface-level narratives. The buzz coming out of training camp isn’t just about the superstars—it’s about the players who might not make headlines but are proving indispensable behind closed doors. When discussing roster locks, the term typically conjures visions of high draft picks or multimillion-dollar contract holders. However, every NFL team needs players who thrive in the shadows, delivering consistency, versatility, and special teams value that coaches can’t do without. This year, the Cowboys have five such under-the-radar names that, barring injury, are stone-cold locks to be on the 53-man roster. Each of them tells a story of development, trust, and positional depth that Dallas will need as they eye a Super Bowl-caliber run.
In an environment where every rep counts and competition is ferocious, players who bring more than just talent—those who offer coachability, flexibility, and team-first mentalities—can often jump the queue. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing from these under-the-radar Cowboys. The first name on that list is offensive lineman T.J. Bass, a 2023 undrafted free agent out of Oregon who has quietly worked his way into a trusted reserve interior lineman role. Bass might not have had the fanfare of other young linemen, but within the walls of the Cowboys’ facility, he’s become a steady, technique-sound presence. His ability to play both guard spots, combined with his intelligence in pass protection and an emerging edge in run-blocking, makes him a reliable backup in a league that demands OL depth. Mike McCarthy and OL coach Mike Solari love his demeanor—calm, no-nonsense, fundamentally locked-in. For a team that has seen its fair share of injuries on the offensive line over recent seasons, having someone like Bass is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Another roster lock flying under the radar is defensive back Juanyeh Thomas. After making a splash on special teams last season, Thomas has shown the versatility and IQ to contribute across multiple roles in the secondary. At 6-foot-3 with elite range, Thomas has functioned as a hybrid safety-nickel piece, and with Dan Quinn gone and Mike Zimmer implementing a more structurally disciplined defense, Thomas’s ability to read the quarterback and take proper angles makes him extremely valuable. More than just a rotational DB, Thomas is becoming a voice in the secondary—an indicator that the coaching staff trusts him not only physically, but mentally. During OTAs and early camp, he’s been seen communicating alignments and responsibilities, helping younger players like rookie Caelen Carson settle into their roles. Thomas’s continued presence across all four core special teams units further cements his lock status. These types of players are gold for coordinators—cheap, flexible, and consistently productive.
At linebacker, it’s Damone Clark who has turned an offseason of questions into a campaign of clarity. With Leighton Vander Esch’s career in jeopardy following a string of neck injuries and DeMarvion Overshown still recovering from his ACL tear, the Cowboys needed someone to stabilize the second level. Clark has answered the call with ferocity and focus. The former LSU star, who himself came into the league with injury concerns, has developed into a sideline-to-sideline menace. He’s taken leadership snaps with the first-team defense and looks more confident in diagnosing run fits and dropping into coverage. What’s changed? For starters, Clark has a full offseason in the weight room and classroom without rehab. Secondly, Zimmer’s schematic emphasis on physical, gap-sound play aligns perfectly with Clark’s skillset. He’s shown improved zone awareness and fluidity in man coverage against tight ends—a must in today’s NFL. Clark may not be a media darling yet, but ask anyone in that linebacker room who sets the tone, and his name will echo loudly.
On offense, Jalen Brooks is the name that keeps surfacing despite the logjam at wide receiver. A 2023 seventh-round pick from South Carolina, Brooks has carved out a role with his blocking, special teams coverage, and crisp route-running. At 6-foot-2 with solid hands and a team-first mindset, he’s done the little things right. With Michael Gallup no longer with the team and questions surrounding the WR4 and WR5 spots, Brooks has emerged as the sort of dependable receiver that quarterback Dak Prescott trusts when plays break down. He’s also been cross-training in the slot and on the boundary, increasing his chances of seeing the field in different packages. What makes Brooks even more valuable is his chemistry with backup quarterback Cooper Rush—chemistry that’s often the difference in preseason games when coaches decide final roster spots. Brooks might not rack up gaudy stats, but in an offense that values precision, effort, and blocking downfield to spring big plays, he’s proven his worth.
The fifth under-the-radar lock is defensive tackle Carl Davis Jr., a journeyman vet who signed a futures contract earlier this year and has since become a surprise standout. With Mazi Smith battling injury and conditioning issues, and with Osa Odighizuwa needing help in the trenches, Davis has brought a level of maturity, power, and consistency that’s catching attention. At 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, he’s the run-stuffer Dallas has long needed to anchor early-down situations. Zimmer’s defense thrives when interior linemen can eat space and allow linebackers to stay clean, and Davis is doing just that. While he won’t bring much as a pass rusher, his gap discipline and ability to control double teams gives Dallas a better shot at surviving run-heavy teams like San Francisco and Philadelphia—something that’s haunted them in recent postseasons. His presence allows the Cowboys to rotate younger DTs like Junior Fehoko and Chauncey Golston into more favorable matchups, extending the rotation and preserving energy for December and January.
While those five names have begun solidifying their status, one of the most intriguing storylines developing in Cowboys camp is the heating up of the running back competition. With Tony Pollard now suiting up in Tennessee, Dallas enters uncharted waters in the backfield. The current depth chart features a blend of experience, youth, and versatility—but no clear feature back yet. Leading the group is Rico Dowdle, who has patiently waited for his turn after years of injuries and backup duty. Dowdle’s physical running style and improved pass protection have turned heads, especially in red zone and short-yardage drills. He’s got great vision, runs behind his pads, and brings a north-south mentality that contrasts with Pollard’s east-west finesse. In many ways, Dowdle represents the “safe” option—coaches trust him to not lose yards, pick up blitzes, and stay on schedule.
But behind him, two players are pushing hard to shift the narrative. One is rookie Deuce Vaughn, who despite his size, has shown explosive playmaking and elite vision. Vaughn’s ability to create yards out of chaos makes him a legitimate threat in space, especially when lined up as a receiver in motion or in empty sets. He’s drawn comparisons to Darren Sproles not just for his build, but for his fearlessness and uncanny knack for slipping past defenders. Still, his role may be more specialized unless he proves capable of pass protection—which remains a concern.
Then there’s Royce Freeman, the veteran bruiser who arrived with little fanfare but brings a wealth of experience and an underrated set of skills. Freeman has shown he can churn tough yards and maintain ball security—something Dallas lacked in key moments last year. He’s also been praised for his locker-room presence and willingness to mentor younger backs. If the Cowboys want someone who can grind out games in December or complement a more electric runner like Vaughn or Dowdle, Freeman is an ideal fit.
Another name worth monitoring is Malik Davis. A preseason darling in past years, Davis has flashed again in early scrimmages and drills, showing good balance and burst through the hole. However, with the emergence of others and the desire to possibly keep a fullback on the roster, Davis may find himself in a numbers crunch unless he separates dramatically in preseason games.
As if that weren’t enough, the wild card in all of this is Hunter Luepke—the hybrid FB/HB/TE who provides unmatched flexibility. Luepke can line up in I-formation, slot, or even H-back alignments, giving offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer a chess piece for mismatches. He’s a bruiser with soft hands, capable of blocking or catching passes in the flat. Don’t be surprised if Luepke becomes a key figure in red-zone packages and third-and-short situations.
What makes this RB battle so compelling is how the Cowboys are planning to use their backfield in 2025. Rather than feature one bell-cow runner, signs point to a committee approach. This means versatility is the name of the game. Players who can block, catch, and adjust on the fly will have the edge. It also means that special teams play could be the ultimate tiebreaker—who’s on the kickoff team, who can cover punts, who’s trusted to protect a punter in the shield? These hidden reps could determine which backs make the final roster.
This multifaceted battle is emblematic of a broader theme in Cowboys camp: the prioritization of smart, team-centric football over flashy plays. Mike McCarthy and his staff have made it clear that versatility, availability, and situational awareness are more important than simply who racks up the most yardage. In that light, players like Dowdle, Freeman, and Luepke gain a clear edge—not because they’re the most talented, but because they fit into a puzzle the Cowboys are carefully constructing.
Ultimately, this Cowboys roster is deeper than it’s been in years. That’s a credit to Will McClay and the front office for developing talent beyond Round 1 and finding value in the UDFA and waiver-wire markets. The team has learned the hard way that seasons are not won with just stars—they’re won with the second-tier contributors who step up when the spotlight shifts unexpectedly.
The five under-the-radar roster locks—T.J. Bass, Juanyeh Thomas, Damone Clark, Jalen Brooks, and Carl Davis Jr.—embody that philosophy. And the RB competition raging behind them is a healthy signal of a team trying to build from the inside out, knowing full well that championships are not gifted—they’re earned in the trenches, in the film room, and often, in the final reps of a sweltering August practice.
As camp rolls on and preseason games unfold, the margins will shrink, the battles will intensify, and more names will emerge. But for now, the Cowboys can take solace in knowing that their foundation is being shaped not just by the stars, but by the grinders, the quiet leaders, and the positionless warriors who don’t need headlines to make their presence felt. That, more than anything, is how winning teams are built.
