DALLAS — Dallas Cowboys beat writer Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News kept six edge rushers on his fourth 53-man roster projection of the summer, listing Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence, Sam Williams, and James Houston. He expects Marist Liufau to be cut.
Watkins wrote that Miller’s arrival put Williams and Liufau on the edge of the roster, and that Houston could be the odd man out if Dallas keeps Liufau instead. Williams is guaranteed $1.4 million for 2026.
Von Miller’s Contract And Career Totals
Miller signed a one-year contract worth $5.5 million, with a maximum value of $7.5 million. Dallas waived receiver Traeshon Holden the same day to open a roster spot.
The DeSoto native is entering his 15th NFL season. He had 9 sacks for the Washington Commanders last season, his highest total since 2021. His 138.5 career sacks lead all active players. That total ties DeMarcus Ware for ninth in NFL history.
The Denver Broncos drafted Miller second overall in 2011 out of Texas A&M. He has been to eight Pro Bowls, earned three first-team All-Pro selections, and won two Super Bowl rings, including most valuable player of Super Bowl 50. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer called him invaluable to the young players in the room last week in Oxnard.
Sam Williams, Marist Liufau, And James Houston
Dallas re-signed Williams in March on a one-year deal worth $3 million, and the Cowboys had taken him 56th overall out of Ole Miss in 2022. He tore an ACL in training camp in 2024 and missed the season.
Williams played all 17 games last year with five starts and finished with 37 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sacks. He has 9.5 sacks in four seasons.
Dallas drafted Liufau 87th overall in 2024 out of Notre Dame and moved him from inside linebacker to outside linebacker this offseason under first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker. He took 202 defensive snaps last season and played 74.59% of the special teams snaps.
Houston finished last season with 5.5 sacks, second on the Cowboys, and he has 14.5 sacks in his career. The Detroit Lions drafted him 217th overall in 2022 out of Jackson State, and he spent time with the Cleveland Browns before Dallas signed him during the 2025 season.
Ezeiruaku ranked second on the Cowboys in pressures last season with 26 in 17 games and nine starts. He led the team with 14 hurries and finished with 2 sacks. Dallas drafted the Boston College edge rusher in the second round in 2025.
Lawrence was the 23rd overall pick in April out of UCF, and he made 3 tackles on 17 snaps in his preseason debut against the Seattle Seahawks. Gary came into the league as a first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2019.
Tyrus Wheat and Isaiah Land are also in the outside linebacker room.
Roster Deadline And The Preseason Finale
Dallas must cut from 91 to 53 by 5 p.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 30, and submit waiver claims by noon CT the next day.
The Cowboys play their final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. CT.
