The top 53 players currently on the Dallas Cowboys' roster won't be the same 53 picked to open the season. Injuries, potential additions and performance during training camp will all be a factor.
But with camp still a little over a month away, I am projecting and ranking the 53-man roster based on the current group.
Defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory are facing suspensions to open the year. Running back Lance Dunbar is still working his way back from the torn left ACL and MCL he suffered last October. All three are among the team's top 53, so they are included.
Their spots bump rookie running back Darius Jackson, second-year linebacker Mark Nzeocha and second-year tight end Geoff Swaim off the list. As of right now, I'd project that all three make the roster to open the year in place of Lawrence, Gregory and Dunbar.
Over the next five days, I will reveal all 53.
Today, we begin with numbers 53-41.
53.) Anthony Brown, CB. With Terrance Mitchell being released earlier this month, Brown's chances of making the roster improved. During minicamp, he saw action with the first-team defense. The Cowboys, who had a fourth-round grade on Brown, selected him with the 14th pick in the sixth round of this year's draft.
52.) Damien Wilson, LB. Wilson didn't have much of an impact during his rookie season. The fourth-round pick played in 16 games but mostly as a special teams contributor. He totaled 16 tackles with nine coming on special teams.
51.) Chaz Green, OT. Last year's third-round pick didn't appear in any games after opening his rookie season on the PUP list following June hip surgery. The Cowboys are hoping he can eventually compete to be the team's starting right tackle of the future.
50.) Joe Looney, OG. The Cowboys signed Looney in March to provide some depth along their offensive front. The 2012 fourth-round pick has the ability to play guard or center. He started six games last season for Tennessee after spending his first three seasons in San Francisco.
49.) Charles Brown, OT. Brown is the Cowboys' swing tackle, averaging around two plays per game in 2015. Expect him to have the same role in 2016. Brown was a second-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2010. He has played in 54 NFL games with 23 starts.
48.) Dak Prescott, QB. The Cowboys used a fourth-round pick on Prescott this year in hopes of possibly developing Tony Romo's heir apparent. He'll need some time to adapt to a pro style offense. During his senior year, Prescott threw for 3,793 yards, 29 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He also rushed for 588 yards and 10 touchdowns.
47.) Charles Tapper, DE. The Cowboys needed to upgrade their pass rush in this year's draft and Tapper was the first edge rusher they selected. With Greg Hardy and Jeremy Mincey no longer on the roster and Lawrence and Gregory facing suspensions, Dallas needs its fourth-round pick to provide some help in Year 1.
46.) Maliek Collins, DT. The Cowboys' third-round pick suffered a significant setback during the first week of organized team activities. Collins broke his right foot and had surgery earlier this month. He is projected to miss 10 to 12 weeks, which means he's likely out until the end of training camp.
45.) Ryan Russell, DE. Rod Marinelli sees potential in last year's fifth-round pick. He had Russell lining up with the first-team defense at both left and right end throughout OTAs and minicamp. If Russell can take a significant step forward in his second season, he could see a lot of playing time because of all the question marks at the position.
44.) Terrell McClain, DT. After playing 22 snaps in the season opener and 23 in Week 2, McClain had his 2015 season ended because of a toe injury. The 27-year-old played in 13 games in 2014 and all 16 the year before in Houston. When healthy, he should be a regular in Marinelli's defensive line rotation.
43.) David Irving, DT. Irving was signed off Kansas City's practice squad in late September. He played in 12 games and flashed some upside. The 6-7, 273-pounder finished sixth on the team with 14 QB pressures. Jerry Jones recently mentioned Irving as one of the defenders who caught his eye during minicamp.
42.) Kyle Wilber, LB. Wilber played in all 16 games, finishing with 27 tackles on defense last year. He was a valuable special teams contributor, recording nine tackles and returning Danny McCray's blocked punt for a TD in Week 2. Wilber should continue to provide valuable depth at the position.
41.) Andrew Gachkar, LB. He played in every game as a reserve linebacker in 2015, recording 13 defensive tackles and eight on special teams. With Rolando McClain missing all of OTAs and Sean Lee working his way back from minor offseason knee surgery, Gachkar worked throughout the offseason with the first-team defensive unit.
Twitter: @jonmachota