The Cowboys preseason has already reached the half-way point, and this means time is quickly running out for some rookies if they want to be part of the 2016-2017 Dallas Cowboys.
Let’s take a look at draft class. Who’s contributing and who’s in danger of getting cut?
Round 1 (#4): Ezekiel Elliott, RB
Zeke has looked the part in mini-camp and the early part of training camp, but a hamstring issue has slowed him down. Zeke has yet to get any preseason action and fans are anxiously awaiting. The good news is that he’s set to have a full week of practice and should see some action against the Seattle Seahawks. Zeke will contribute immediately.
Round 2 (#34): Jaylon Smith, LB,
Jaylon will likely sit the 2016 season as he continues to rehab. His knee is good, but they are waiting on the nerve to make a full recovery, and that is the waiting game right now. Any good news on this front will be great for us next season. We’ll finally have a replacement for the unreliable Rolando McClain. Jaylon won’t contribute this year.
Round 3 (#67): Maliek Collins, DT
Collins broke a bone in his foot during the offseason OTAs, and he has missed most of training camp, but his recovery looks good and is being brought along slowly. Collins should see more snaps against the Seahawks. Collins will contribute immediately.
Round 4 (#101): Charles Tapper, DE
I’ve been on the Tapper train for awhile, but we haven’t seen him. He’s not even practicing, so we have to wonder what is going on with Tapper. He was touted as one of the fastest DEs coming out of the draft, and a potential steal in the 4th round. Our defensive front has been decimated by suspensions and injuries, so with Tapper still sidelined, there are questions moving forward. Is he going to be able to play this year, will he go on PUP, will he end up on IR with return designation? Tapper should contribute immediately, but he’s a question mark right now.
Round 4 (#135): Dak Prescott, QB
Prescott has been the draft darling up to this point, even overshadowing Zeke. It’s all about Prescott right now. The Cowboys fanbase is energized and very hopeful that we finally have a heir to Tony Romo. Many see Prescott as Romo’s eventual replacement and not just his backup. I want to see how Dak does against the Seattle defense, maybe we’ll get to see him against their ones. Prescott will probably see action this year, and that is just a reality based on Romo’s durability issues in recent years.
Round 6 (#189): Anthony Brown, CB
Brown has turned heads and making a name for himself and looks to be a late round steal. You can never have enough corners, and keeping Brown around seems like a no-brainer. We’ll see how he does the rest of the preseason, but he should be a keeper and he’ll have an immediate impact.
Round 6 (#212): Kavon Frazier, FS
Frazier has a chance to make the team and if he continues to show an uptick, we may finally be rid of JJ Wilcox. With Frazier you have a player that is young and has room to improve. With Wilcox he was a failed experiment, right there with the Isaiah Stanback’s of the world. Frazier has the chance to make the team, or practice squad at the minimum.
Round 6 (#216): Darius Jackson, RB
Jackson has been solid and will be an asset now and in the longterm. If I’m Dallas, I’m finding a way to keep Jackson on the 53-man roster. I know Lance Dunbar is coming back, but he’s a liability, you cannot trust his health. Dunbar has taken forever to develop and he’s one dimensional, mainly used in the passing game. Dunbar taking a handoff is usually a wasted run. Jackson can catch and run the ball with authority. Keep Jackson.
Round 6 (#217): Rico Gathers,TE
The Cowboys took a flyer on Gathers, and he is still very raw, and a project. I have Geoff Swaim and Austin Traylor above Gathers and they themselves are not assured of a roster spot; however, with questions swirling around James Hanna’s health there may be room for extra tight ends.
Who do you feel is a lock at making the team and who is in trouble?
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