Projecting the starters for the Cowboys season opener
Ah, the anticipation of a new year. Following the draft, Cowboys Nation should be as excited as ever for a new season. The defense has been overhauled, and the offense looks to have all of its elite weapons in the fold for at least another year.
We’ll now get a clearer picture of when this new-look team will play their games as the schedule will be released today. So far, we know the Cowboys will face the Ravens in Brazil in Week 3, play the Eagles on Thanksgiving, and they will also open the season on Sunday Night Football against the New York Giants. It’s a matchup we’ve seen several times. When both teams kick off for what should be an entertaining primetime showdown to start the season, here’s a prediction of who will be in the starting lineup for both teams.
Cowboys Offense vs. Giants Defense
Cowboys offense
Quarterback: Dak Prescott
Prescott enters his tenth year under center for the Cowboys, and although he’s had a decorated career and eclipsed several franchise records, there’s one crowning achievement keeping him from being alongside the franchise’s greatest quarterbacks.
Running back: Javonte Williams
After a career year, Dallas paid Williams good money to be their workhorse runner over the next few years.
Wide receivers: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy
Lamb and Pickens make for a dynamic duo. Pickens is a proven deep threat with a knack for acrobatic catches and some wiggle after the catch. Meanwhile, Lamb can do damage in any formation, including the backfield at times. If Flournoy can build on his 2025 season, watch out. Flournoy could be the X-factor that brings the offense to new heights.
Tight end: Jake Ferguson
Ferguson may not be the same player he used to be after the catch, but is still a very consistent option in the short passing game who is at his best when targeted in the middle of the field.
Offensive Line: LT Tyler Guyton, LG Tyler Smith, C Cooper Beebe, RG Tyler Booker, RT Terence Steele
While the Cowboys have added some pressure on Tyler Guyton to earn the starting job at left tackle, his status as a first-round pick should give him the first crack at protecting Prescott’s blindside in the season opener. Tyler Smith is among the elites at his position and hasn’t reached his prime just yet. Cooper Beebe is arguably a fringe Pro Bowler at center, despite only playing the position for two years, but he has come along nicely for the Cowboys. 2025 first-round pick Tyler Booker mans right guard as he continues to try to fill the legendary shoes of Zack Martin. Meanwhile, thanks to a reworked contract, Terence Steele will take his spot once again at right tackle for the Cowboys.
Giants defense
Defensive line : Roy Robertson-Harris, DJ Reader, Shelby Harris
Like the Cowboys, the Giants base is a 3-4 front. After trading away Dexter Lawrence, the Giants picked up DJ Reader from the Detroit Lions to man the nose tackle spot.
Edge rusher: Brian Burns and Abdul Carter
The Giants have excellent talent at the edge rusher spot that has the ability to quickly collapse the the pocket on Prescott and give fits to Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele in pass protection.
Inside linebacker: Arvell Reese & Tremaine Edmunds
Like Cowboys rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham, Arvell Reese could play at either inside linebacker or the edge spots. The Giants have to be ecstatic that he fell to them. For the opening sequence for the Giants, Arvell Reese will line up inside with free agent Tremaine Edmunds next to him, giving the tremendous size at inside linebacker.
Cornerback: Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome II
At cornerback, the Cowboys will face off against Paulson Adebo, who had a rocky first season with the Giants. Greg Newsome is on his third team in as many seasons and will start opposite Adebo.
Safety: Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin
Lastly, in the back half of their secondary, New York has Jevon Holland who is lurking ballhawk alongside Tyler Nubin. Nubin is a solid run defender who can make plays in the backfield when supporting the run.
Cowboys Defense vs Giants offense
Cowboys defense
Defensive line: Quinnen Williams, Otito Ogbonnia, Kenny Clark
In Dallas’ new-look 3-4 base defense, Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark will be the ends playing the 5-technique in Christian Parker’s defense. Otito Ogbonnia, who was signed from the Los Angeles Chargers, will be tasked with playing the nose tackle in the middle and working to stymie the Giants’ rushing attack.
Edge rusher: Rashan Gary & Donovan Ezeiruaku
On the outside, expect Rashan Gary to start at one of the edge spots with Donovan Ezeiruaku on the opposite side. Malachi Lawrence should see significant snaps in the opener, but its likely Ezeiruaku takes the first snaps ahead of Lawrence.
Inside linebacker: Demarvion Overshown & Jaishawn Barham
As for the inside linebackers, DeMarvion Overshown will start. His speed, length, and tackling ability make him a unique talent for the defense. Perhaps a hot take, but Jaishawn Barham gets the nod over Dee Winters when the defense takes the field to start. Barham would like to leave a lasting impression during training camp and the preseason, which will carry that momentum right into the starting lineup.
Cornerback: DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant
Once it’s all said and done, DaRon Bland will start on the outside. Cobie Durant will start opposite Bland, which means Shavon Revel will be a reserve along with Devin Moore and Derion Kendrick. In an effort to get the best talent on the field Dallas will have plenty of different personnel groupings to take advantage of Caleb Downs’ versatility, look for him to be the nickel when they go to a 4-2-5 lineup.
Safety: Caleb Downs & Jalen Thompson
Downs will slide in at safety, alongside free agent pickup Jalen Thompson. Downs’ versatility and Thomspon’s consistency gives Dallas a very good back half of their defense to counter New York’s receiving options. As mentioned, Downs will move to the nickel on many occasions, allowing Malik Hooker a spot in the defense.
Giants Offense
Quarterback: Jaxson Dart
2025 first-round pick Jaxson Dart enters year two for the Giants. Dart is a dynamic dual-threat passer who shows a lot of poise in the pocket under pressure and anticipates routes coming open fairly well for such a young player. Of course, Dart has to learn how to protect himself better when running the football, but it seems that the Giants have something in the young quarterback and will make for a challenge for Dallas’ new defense.
Running back: Cam Skattebo
After overtaking the backfield and on the verge of being a breakout star as a rookie, Cam Skattebo looks to return from a gruesome injury. If healthy, expect him to resume his starting duties with Tyrone Tracy taking a backseat to the bruising sophomore running back.
Wide receiver: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney
Yet another rising star looks to bounce back from injury with the Giants. Malik Nabers looks to pick up where he left off after an ACL injury cut his 2025 season short. If Nabers is healthy in time, he’ll be joined in the starting lineup by Darius Slayton, who, although talented, hasn’t had a breakout year through his first seven seasons in New York and has never had more than 50 receptions in a season. In the slot, Darnell Mooney gives the Giants a veteran player who has speed and is also crafty to create separation in the middle of the field.
TE: Isaiah Likely
Coming along with John Harbaugh from Baltimore is Isaiah Likely. The talented tight end presents a mismatch with his athleticism and can make very difficult catches thanks to above-average body control for a tight end. The $40M man pairs well with Nabers in their offense.
Offensive Line: LT Andrew Thomas, LG Jon Runyan Jr., C John Michael Schmitz, RG Francis Mauigoa (rookie), RT Jermaine Eluemunor
The Giants know that for them to be successful, protecting Dart is the top priority. Former Second-Team All-Pro Andrew Thomas was mostly healthy last season and steps in at left tackle. John Runyan Jr., who has started 79 games, will slide in to left guard. Meanwhile John Michael Schmitz, and rookie Francis Mauigoa, will start. Jermaine Eluemunor finishes the line at right tackle.
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