The first round of roster cuts are one week from this Tuesday. The Cowboys currently have 90 players, and will need to trim 15 players on September 1.
The first wave of cuts are typically the “camp bodies” or players that were here on an extended tryout basis and if you didn’t wow anyone you’re gone. That being said, the guys on the bubble will need a big game against the Vikings this weekend.
Let’s take a look at who may be on the bubble:
— Quarterback
For bubble players at QB, this is a three way race between Weeden, Vaughan, and Showers. I’m not sure Weeden makes this team if he can’t play this weekend, because you would think he would try to suit up against the Texans who have had a productive preseason defensively and a rusty Weeden could seal the deal on him. Vaughan took a step back last week, but his upside is still better than Weeden moving forward, but another mediocre or bad game against the Vikings could put him closer to waivers. Jamiel Showers has probably shown the most when the bright lights come on and more positive plays could have him leap frogging Vaughan and maybe even Weeden. The next two games are huge for these guys. It’s also possible the backup is not on the roster yet, keep an eye on other roster cuts at the QB spot.
— Running Backs
Joseph Randle is the starter in my mind and its not even close. McFadden probably sticks around, we’ve seen the Cowboys show some great patience with players in the past, and DMC probably sneaks on. Lance Dunbar and Gus Johnson are probably battling for the 3rd and final RB position. You have to ask yourself who you would trust to carry the load if needed for a few games if needed. I like what I have seen from Johnson more than I have from Dunbar’s entire stint in Dallas. Dunbar is a screen guy, nothing more and we don’t run screens much, he fumbles and cannot stay healthy. Johnson could be very valuable commodity once the winter months arrive and if you put him behind our starting offensive line we’ll break the will of defensive lines.
— Wide Receivers
Dez Bryant, Terrance Willams, Cole Beasley, and Devin Street are the locks. The remaining receivers are not showing much at all, but Lucky Whitehead probably nabs a final #5 spot as the de facto return specialist, unless he has a complete meltdown and fumbles.
— Tight Ends
Jason Witten and Gavin Escobar are the locks. The biggest question will be whether or not the Cowboys carry three vs four TEs. James Hanna has been used sparingly and may have peaked here in Dallas, and Geoff Swaim is showing solid upside. I’m not sure you can stash Swaim on the practice squad, he’ll probably get snatched up on waivers — tough call!
— Cornerbacks
Scandrick is likely out for the year with an ACL injury. The onus will be on Brandon Carr and Byron Jones, but not all is lost with solid play from Corey White and Tyler Patmon. Claiborne probably increased his chance at a roster spot now, man he needs to step up on all phases.I’m not hitting an alarms now, but we cannot take any more hits here. I wonder if the starters play much at all the rest of the preseason — I wouldn’t.
— Safeties
Church and Wilcox are penciled in. The reserve spots are up for grabs, but also very thin on quality depth. Heath probably gets in as a de facto special teams guy, but he still can’t wrap up a tackle worth a shit. Danny McCray was a special teams ace in his first stint in Dallas, but I haven’t seen it on his return, but they may need to carry him anyway. Moving forward, this position group probably gets a drafted player into the mix in 2016.
— Linebackers
Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, Kyle Wilber, and Damien Wilson are the locks. Despite the free agency investment in Brinkley, I’m not fully sold on him, but if he leaves, how comfortable are you with the other guys battling for a spot? Gachkar probably makes it as a special teamers guy. Keith Smith can make a case if he has another solid game against the Vikings, keep that momentum going!
— Defensive Tackles
This is where I could see some semi-surprising cuts. Tyrone Crawford is the lock and everyone else is still vying to cement their role on the team. Yes, Nick Hayden seems to be a favorite of Rod Marinelli, but he’s also said he needs the best guys on the field. Are Terrell McClain, Davon Coleman or Ken Bishop better than Hayden? One could say emphatically say yes. I’m looking at Davon Coleman to make this team. He’s looked good in the preseason, he shows up when the lights are on, I want that type of player here. If the Cowboys are going to keep their streak of not drafting a DT in the first round, then the Cowboys will need to do one of two things: extend Crawford or keep Coleman as Crawford’s 3-tech heir apparent. This is going to come down to the wire and be very tough on the staff to cut down, I don’t envy them at all.
— Defensive Ends
The Cowboys are deep here, and the revamped squad is on track for a breakout year. I really like where we are right now. Mincey, Lawrence, Hardy, Russell, and Jack Crawford make this team. I think Ben Gardner gets into the mix as well on his own merit. Lavar Edwards, Kenneth Boatwright, and Efe Obada are the long shots.
— Offensive Line
We know the starting five, but the swing tackle is somewhat a concern. La’el Collins gives the Cowboys the best versatile reserve, which will play the swing guard, but if things get hairy at tackle I feel Collins would transition well enough. I don’t feel the swing tackle is quite so dire; however, where it could become an issue is if we encounter multiple injuries. Darrion Weems is not where Parnell was last year, and that’s not a good thing. I’m hoping Laurence Gibson can put on more positive film over the next two games to push Weems.
— Dan Bailey
A roster lock, no doubt about it, but in the back of my mind I wonder if we are starting to see early signs of mental issues. Bailey ended the season with some missed kicks in the playoffs and missed another field goal in what has been pretty automatic in previous years, he’s on a somewhat of an uneven streak. I’m not sounding any alarms, but I’m hoping its an apparition. Could be nothing at all and I’m hoping it’s just my paranoia.
Who do you think is making or not making this team? Let’s go Dallas! Get well soon Scandrick! CowboysNation forever.
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