Cowboys backup offensive line evaluation after two preseason games

The roster of the 2026 Dallas Cowboys is slowly taking shape as certain players show out and continue to make a case for their spot on the team. Some position battles are revealing themselves, but there are others that still remain a mystery. One group that still has a lot of questions is the offensive line.

In the second preseason game, all the starters again sat out, as did their top reserve, T.J. Bass. That left five guys fighting it out for just a handful of remaining spots. How did these guys perform? And how does this impact the team’s decisions when it comes to choosing this group? Today, we’ll run through each player using game film notes and how the game changes their roster outlook.

Nate Thomas

Currently holding the Cowboys’ swing tackle position, the third-year tackle swung over to the right side after playing on the left side last week. He’s a big guy with good athleticism, but he struggles with consistency.

Game notes for Thomas:

• popped out of his stance well
• used length to keep defenders from getting to his chest
• hands were a little wild; defenders could finesse around him at times
• shuffled his feet well to maintain position
• didn’t move well in space, wandered around looking to engage

Roster outlook: 100%. His play has shown to be serviceable for the position, and he remains the team’s top backup tackle option, so his job is safe.

Nick Leverett

A free agent signing, this veteran interior blocker is a flexible piece, playing both guard and center. He holds his own with leverage and core strength, and despite being an afterthought a few weeks ago, he has played himself into the conversation.

Game notes for Leverett:

• popped up quickly, hands spread out, assessing the situation
• moved well, put himself in a good position and set a wide base
• executed combo blocks well, strikes the shoulder then quickly moves on
• got under the shoulder pads, moved bodies
• he was pesky, played through the whistle and was always seen shoving someone after the play

Roster outlook: 70%. It’s hard to watch him play and not believe the Cowboys coaches won’t want to keep him around. His ability to handle the center position means he could essentially replace Brock Hoffman and allow T.J. Bass to only have to worry about the guard spots.

Ajani Cornelius

A draft pick stash from last year, Cornelius has found a new home sliding inside to guard, and it seems to suit him well. He’s a physical player who is still finding his way, but there have definitely been positive signs from him of late.

Game notes for Cornelius:

• set his target and attacked, seemed to always have a plan
• hands were always ready
• solid positioning, did a good job securing block
• anchored well, but strength was hit or miss; sometimes it held up, sometimes he got walked back a bit
• struggled with balance sometimes, occasionally seen on the ground

Roster outlook: 60%. If the play was to keep someone around hoping they would develop and he develops, it seems like hanging on to him would be the right move. It could come down to the wire, but the second-year blocker is showing good progress.

Trevor Keegan

Poached from the Eagles, the coaches are kicking the tires on this former Michigan stud. He has good strength and can overpower defenders at times, but he’s not the most agile of players.

Game notes for Keegan:

• footwork was a little jittery, slushed around
• hands were inconsistent, used his length well at times, other times it was wasted
• moved surprisingly well for a guy his size, effective pulling
• drove defenders sometimes, but his blocks have a shelf life as they eventually shed him
• too upright at moments, got walked back despite squaring up, just lost the leverage battle

Roster outlook: 40%. There are some consistency issues with him, and he’s looked okay at times, but the emergence of Leverett and sliding Cornelius inside has really hurt his chances.

Drew Shelton

The team’s top offensive investment has been struggling. Last week he got worked over on the right side, and things didn’t change much switching over to the left side. It’s evident he’s a development project who has a lot of development to do.

Game notes for Shelton:

• footwork was rigid, like he was stuck in mud, way too easy to get around
• too much of a forward lean
• ineffective hands, more inclined to just throw his shoulder
• didn’t know who to block sometimes; processing was on delay
• willing traveler in space and sealed off lanes a couple times

Roster outlook: 100%. A fourth-round draft investment doesn’t promise anyone a roster spot, but it does tell you they want to give this guy a chance, and he has shown enough to at least see where this goes. Fans won’t like this because of how he’s played, but it’s too early to give up on him.

What does this mean?

The team essentially has seven roster locks – all five starters and their top two reserves, Bass and Thomas. Hanging on to Shelton puts them at eight players. That doesn’t leave much room for others, as the Cowboys are likely to carry nine or ten spots, depending on how they feel about these bottom roster guys.

Leverett looks like the player in the best position to secure one of the final spots, with Cornelius right behind him if they go deep, leaving Keegan as the odd man out. And who is to say they don’t still add another outside player the closer they get to the regular season, if they aren’t happy with their tackle depth? That could throw another wrench into things, bumping off yet another player.

How do you see the Cowboys’ offensive line group shaping out?