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By Calvin Watkins 1h ago
The Cowboys added 21 rookies to fill their 90-man roster, a group made up of eight draft picks and 13 undrafted free agents. The undrafted free-agent list will change this summer based on the availability of other players and whether someone doesn’t impress the coaches during the rookie minicamp May 10-11. As of now, it’s easy to project second-round pick Tyrsten Hill and third-round selection Connor McGovern will make the 53-man roster. It might be fair to say running backs Mike Weber and Tony Pollard will be around Week 1 when the Cowboys face the Giants at AT&T Stadium. You could probably say that about a few other draft picks, including cornerback Michael Jackson.
But what about the undrafted free agents? It’s not impossible to make the roster as an undrafted player; just ask Tony Romo, Miles Austin and Jeff Heath about emerging as starters after not being drafted.
It happens.
With that in mind, we projected which rookies will make the 53-man roster. Yes, in May. Our projections will change over the summer. Let’s be honest: scouts and coaches, whom we spoke with regarding these rookies, will change their minds based on what they see once the shoulder pads are on in July.
Draft picks
Second round: Trysten Hill, defensive tackle, UCF
Comments: Hill will certainly make the roster. But he’s going to get compared to safety Juan Thornhill, whom the Cowboys bypassed on the second day of the NFL Draft. Here’s what one coach said about Hill: “He fits our system, plays with speed and get-off.” Another coach said: “Gives us what we don’t have; a big, athletic 3-technique.”
Chance of making the roster: 100 percent
Third round: Connor McGovern, guard, Penn State
Comments: McGovern was a surprise selection. Considering some uncertainty with the offensive line and the high grade Cowboys scouts placed on his play, it was probably the right pick. Starting center Travis Frederick is returning from Guillain-Barre syndrome, starting left guard Connor Williams is working to gain strength and starting right tackle La’el Collins enters the last year of his contract. It’s unknown if Frederick will return to form and whether the extra weight will help Williams. The Cowboys had a second-round grade on McGovern and were surprised he was still around in the third round. A member of the Cowboys’ personnel office said this of McGovern: “He’s big and physical.” Cowboys officials also like his ability to play both guard spots.
Chance of making the roster: 100 percent
Fourth round: Tony Pollard, running back, Memphis
Comments: Pollard was one of the 30 national visits to the Cowboys’ complex at The Star. The Cowboys believed in Pollard despite his poor workout at the NFL Scouting Combine due to food poisoning, but his Pro Day was described as “impressive,” confirming what the Cowboys thought of him. Head coach Jason Garrett said Pollard will get a look as both a kick and punt returner in training camp. Cowboys officials don’t expect Pollard to become a full-time backup to Ezekiel Elliott, but someone with the ability to make a big play in the passing game thanks to his speed.
Chance of making the roster: 80 percent
Fifth round: Michael Jackson, cornerback, Miami
Comments: The Cowboys traded down, moving from 149 overall to 158 to eventually get this cornerback. Team officials believe Jackson can play in the slot and as an outside corner. “He’s best in press and has a lot of the traits we like,” Garrett said. “You’re talking about drafting a guy in the fifth round at a premium position with all the traits you’re looking for.” With starting cornerback Byron Jones recovering from offseason hip surgery, the Cowboys might go deep at corner if he’s not ready in Week 1, and Jackson could emerge as the fourth corner.
Chance of making the roster: 90 percent
Fifth round: Joe Jackson, defensive end, Miami
Comments: Jackson’s raw ability and frame fit what the Cowboys are looking for from a pass-rushing end. Garrett said Jackson is mainly an end, but some scouts believe he can play defensive tackle. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli wants a heavy rotation along the line, and Garrett is all about creating competition. This is how Jackson fits in. Chance of making the roster: 90 percent
Sixth round: Donovan Wilson, safety, Texas A&M
Comments: It took the Cowboys until Day 3 to select a safety, and one person described Wilson this way: “Will be a dog. Powerful.” The projections are he can cover tight ends one-on-one and slot receivers. Wilson will have to show out on special teams to make the 53-man roster. Dallas’ decision will come down to more than what he does on defense.
Chance of making the roster: 60 percent
Seventh round: Mike Weber, running back, Ohio State
Comments: Weber will enter training camp with a little edge. He expected to get drafted within the first three rounds and when that didn’t happen, all sorts of questions were raised. His 10 fumbles over three seasons and the fact he wasn’t a full-time starter are issues. The Cowboys believe he’s primarily an inside runner, which counters what Pollard and Elliott can do.
Chance of making the roster: 50 percent
Seventh round: Jalen Jelks, defensive end, Oregon
Comments: Cowboys scouts love Jelks’ upside. While he’s still raw, he has the ability to make an impact. When you have a defensive-line rotation, you could use all the bodies necessary. With Randy Gregory suspended, Jelks could emerge as a special teams contributor who gets limited defensive snaps.
Chance of making the roster: 40 percent
Undrafted players
Larry Allen Jr., guard, Harvard
Comments: The first-team All-Ivy League player is 6-3 and 307 pounds. He displayed the ability to make blocks on the move. His father is the Larry Allen, a Hall of Fame guard with the Cowboys, and the Cowboys know he’ll do all the right things in hopes of making the roster. He might be more of a practice squad player.
Chance of making the roster: 30 percent
Andrew Dowell, linebacker, Michigan State
Comments: Dowell wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, which surprised some because he was a three-year starter and an active defender. Dowell, 6-foot and 218 pounds, played weakside linebacker at Michigan State and the Cowboys could move him to strong safety.
Chance of making the roster: 20 percent
Luke Gifford, linebacker, Nebraska
Comments: He was a team captain, which matters to Garrett, and he led the Cornhuskers with 13.5 tackles for loss last season. This is another player who will make the roster based on what he does on special teams. But those training camp moments, if he’s on the fourth team, could help him.
Chance of making the roster: 5 percent
Jalen Guyton, wide receiver, North Texas
Comments: Guyton produced 15 touchdowns the last two seasons. Guyton, who is 6-0 and 212 pounds, has excellent speed (4.35-second 40-yard dash) so the potential is there to make plays in various ways. He’s one of those players the Cowboys have seen for years, having played high school football in Allen, Texas and his college ball in Denton, but it will be difficult for Guyton to make the roster.
Chance of making the roster: 5 percent
Nate Hall, middle linebacker, Northwestern
Comments: It’s pretty simple; Hall needs to make plays on special teams. The linebacker had surgery on his shoulder and ACL in the last year-and-half. He needs to remain healthy.
Chance of making the roster: 10 percent
Mitch Hyatt, left tackle, Clemson
Comments: Hyatt was a valuable addition. According to a source, the Cowboys signed Hyatt to a $20,000 signing bonus because they didn’t want to lose him. How does this compare to other free agents? Offensive lineman Justin Campos didn’t get a signing bonus last season when he joined the Cowboys. Campos’ resume doesn’t compare to Hyatt’s; the latter player was first-team All-ACC in the last two seasons, with 57 starts in 58 games for a total of 3,754 snaps. The Cowboys view Hyatt mostly as a left tackle and he will be given every chance to make the roster as a potential swing tackle for the future. One scout said the Cowboys liked Hyatt’s “athletic ability.”
Chance of making the roster: 60 percent
Jon’Vea Johnson, wide receiver, Toledo
Comments: He ran a 4.39-second 40 and at 5-11, 191 pounds, can make plays as a slot receiver. Johnson needs to work on his route running, something that will only happen with experience. It’s going to be hard for him to make this roster on special teams because he wasn’t a returner in college. He returned one kickoff for 22 yards last season.
Chance of making the roster: 20 percent
Brandon Knight, right tackle, Indiana
Comments: Knight, who is 6-3, 314 pounds, played right tackle in college, but health issues slowed his development. He didn’t work out at the combine and at his pro day, the only thing he was able to accomplish was the bench press; he lifted 225 pounds 27 times. Knight did start 12 games his senior season. He has some potential if he can play.
Chance of making the roster: 10 percent
Justin Phillips, linebacker, Oklahoma State
Comments: Phillips led Oklahoma State in tackles (98) as an inside linebacker last year. He needs to show strong tackling ability, especially on special teams, if he’s going to make the roster. The Cowboys have youth at linebacker; Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch play nearly every down. Quality veterans Sean Lee and Joe Thomas are also on the depth chart. So Phillips has a long ways to go.
Chance of making the roster: 25 percent
Derrick Puni, left tackle, Central Missouri
Comments: Puni (6-5, 326 pounds) has the size to play offensive tackle, but the level of competition he faced raises some issues. He was two-time All-MIAA and was named to the All-American team last season. He’s probably going to gets some reps at right tackle to show what he can do.
Chance of making the roster: 20 percent
Ricky Walker, defensive tackle, Virginia Tech
Comments: The Cowboys value Walker at 3-technique because of his athletic ability. At 6-2, 284 pounds, he might need a little bit more weight to handle bigger centers and guards at the next level. Does he need to bulk up to 290? Walker does have durability, having started every game last two seasons, and he had 10.5 tackles for loss last season.
Chance of making the roster: 5 percent
Chris Westry, cornerback, Kentucky
Comments: Westry has the speed (4.3-second 40) and size (6-4, 199 pounds) to play in the Cowboys defense. One coach said of Westry: “Freakish athletic ability for his size.” Westry has to show that against NFL receivers and his SEC experience should help him.
Chance of making the roster: 30 percent
Daniel Wise, defensive tackle, Kansas
Comments: The Cowboys were interested in Wise as a sixth- or seventh-round pick but figured he could be added after the draft. He was a four-year starter at Kansas and picked up 44 tackles for loss in four seasons. He played all over the defensive line in college, but the Cowboys will use him as a 3-technique.
Chance of making the roster: 50 percent
