‘The Worst!’ Dallas Cowboys Cutdown 53-Man Roster Prediction
FRISCO - For right around 53 guys, this time of the year is a delight. NFL Cutdown Day (officially Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT) to them means jobs, paychecks, the big stage.
But the flip side? “This is probably the worst 72 hours of the job,’’ Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said in preview of these moments. “That’s what’s in front of us.’’
Our thoughts on the 53 Cowboys who survive Tuesday afternoon? Here goes …
Quarterbacks (3) Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance.
The Cowboys’ trade for Lance means three quarterbacks on the 53-man … a change in plans that eats up a roster spot. Something else will have to give.
Running backs (3) Tony Pollard, Deuce Vaughn, Rico Dowdle.
McCarthy wanted to keep four. This might where the Lance move “gives.” … and maybe Malik Davis and rookie Hunter Luepke boomerang back to the practice squad.
Tight ends (4) Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Peyton Hendershot, Sean McKeon.
If and when the second-round rookie “Schoon” becomes more polished? McKeon will become expendable. But not yet.
Wide receivers (6) CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks.
The first five are in place … and maybe Dallas only keeps five, thus risking losing seventh-round rookie Brooks.
Offensive line (10) Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, Terence Steele, Asam Richards, Matt Waletzko, Matt Farniok, Chuma Edoga, T.J. Bass.
The first five, left to right as starters, are stout. Is fifth-round rookie Richards this team’s sixth-best guy? The second group seems in need.
Defensive line (10) Micah Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, Johnathan Hankins, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Mazi Smith, Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, Chauncey Golston, Junior Fehoko.
There are some wild cards here. Is Micah an end? Does rookie Fehoko merit a spot over undrafted rookie Isaiah Land? Do you really want to give up on Neville Gallimore? Do you really want to count on Sam Williams?
Linebackers (3) Leighton Vander Esch, Damone Clark, Jabril Cox.
Tricky business here, because Micah will spend time moving back, and safeties Markquese Bell and Juanyeh Thomas might spend some time moving up.
Secondary (12) Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmore, Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, DaRon Bland, Donovan Wilson, Israel Mukuamu, Eric Scott Jr., Kelvin Joseph, Juanyeh Thomas, Nahshon Wright, Markquese Bell.
The rehabbing Jourdan Lewis is being pitched as a possibility. But why cut Joseph (see "I Ain't Giving Up!'') - for all his issues - for a guy in Lewis who hasn’t practiced in forever? We’re stashing Lewis.
Specialists (2) Brandon Aubrey (kicker), Bryan Anger (punter).
Aubrey has earned this. So has long-snapper Sieg, who might get cut and then re-signed. … as might be the case with the critically-key C.J. Goodwin.
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