DALLAS- The Dallas Cowboys have cut down to 53 players and have their initial roster.
On offense, the Cowboys decided to go with one quarterback in Dak Prescott. After the preseason, Cooper Rush and Will Grier had a somewhat difficult time getting things going in the beginning. Both of them were signed to the practice squad.
At the skill positions, Dallas went with three running backs, three tight ends, and eight wide receivers. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard were always going to make the team, but the Cowboys also kept Rico Dowdle as the third back.
At tight end, Dalton Schultz is the starter and is currently playing on a one-year deal. Two rookies also made the team, Jack Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot. Both Ferguson and Hendershot had really solid training camps and preseasons and it was not a surprise to see them make the team. They could make Schultz expendable next season.
Eight is a big number at receiver. Ceedee Lamb and Jalen Toblert are expected to start the season and Michael Gallup passed his physical the other day so he will not be on the physically unable to perform list. Simi Fehoko had a decent offseason KaVontae Turpin will be viewed as a kick and punt returner. Free agent pickup James Washington is currently hurt. Dennis Houston also made the team. Houston apparently had great chemistry with Prescott and he played his way onto the team.
The offensive line is in flux. Left tackle Tyron Smith is possibly out for the season so rookie Tyler Smith is currently the starting left tackle. The Cowboys are bringing in long time Eagles lineman Jason Peters to see if he can cut it. Outside of Zack Martin, the line will have a hard time this season. Matt Waletzko and Tyler Smith are rookies, Tyler Biadasz, Terence Steele, Conner McGovern, and Matt Farniok were later round picks with Biadasz and Steele getting significant playing time. McGovern and Farniok have their work cut out for them. Josh Ball, a second year player, needs to step up to get any playing time.
The front seven groups have less surprises. At linebacker, All-World Micah Parsons is,, of course, back with Leighton Vander Esch, free agent Anthony Barr, second-year player Jabril Cox, Luke Gifford, and rookie Devin Harper.
At defensive tackle, Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore, Trysten Hill, Quinton Bohanna, and rookie John Ridgeway all made the team. Bohanna really proved himself this offseason. Ridgeway could see the practice squad until he gets up to NFL speed.
Defensive end is really no different. Everyone knew Demarcus Lawrence and Dorance Armstrong were going to make the team. Second round pick, rookie Sam Williams will look to push for playing time as will a former first round pick, Dante Fowler Jr. Fowler Jr. played for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in Atlanta. The other two, Chauncey Golston and Tarell Basham both had flashes last season.
The Cowboys went sort of heavy at corner. Trevon Diggs was a lock and Anthony Brown had one of the best training camps. Jourdan Lewis will take the slot and rookie Daron Bland took the Cowboys by storm this preseason. Nashon Wright still needs work and second round pick and second year player Kelvin Joseph didn’t take the steps to claim a starting spot.
The safety position has been something Cowboy fans have groaned for years over but this season could be different. Jayron Kearse really stepped-up last season and got a new contract as did Malik Hooker. One player that stood out in the last preseason game was Isreal Mukuamu who had an interception. Also making the team are Donovan Wilson and undrafted free agent rookie Markquese Bell.
The Cowboys did not initially keep a kicker and only brought back Bryan Anger to punt. They did sign Brett Maher to the practice squad.
Yesterday, Tyron Smith and James Washington officially went on the injured reserve list and opened up room to re-sign long snapper Jake McQuaide and special teams ace C.J. Goodwin.
In today’s NFL, you can elevate a player from the practice squad three times before having to add that player to the 53 name roster so going short at special teams and quarterback gave the Cowboys some wiggle room for the month.
This is only the initial roster and things could change quickly as other teams also have to make cuts.
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