Dallas Cowboys' projected roster, 11 Aug 14

[Carp]

Dallas Cowboys' projected roster

August, 11, 2014

IRVING, Texas -- Examining the Dallas Cowboys' roster:

QUARTERBACKS (2)
•Tony Romo
•Brandon Weeden

Dustin Vaughan's performance against the San Diego Chargers has earned him some discussions about the practice squad. He has not done enough for the 53-man roster yet, but the Cowboys might have something worth developing.

RUNNING BACKS (4)

•DeMarco Murray
•Lance Dunbar
•Joseph Randle
•Tyler Clutts

Randle took a step forward with how he played against the Chargers and not just his work as a runner. He did a decent job in pass protection and on special teams. Williams was OK, but he allowed a sack. I'm still not sold on a fullback. Clutts is the only real choice but injuries at other spots could lead to his demise.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5)

•Dez Bryant
•Terrance Williams
•Cole Beasley
•Dwayne Harris
•Devin Street

These five have remained the same all camp but the Cowboys have seven receivers who can play in the league if not with the Cowboys. Injuries will play a part in if they can keep a sixth (LaRon Byrd, Chris Boyd or Jamar Newsome) but that's a luxury for a team that will have to go heavy on defense.

TIGHT ENDS (3)

•Jason Witten
•Gavin Escobar
•James Hanna

This group remains unchanged as well. Maybe they look outside for some help on the waiver wire to possibly add a fourth tight end, but that's almost a luxury too.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
•Tyron Smith
•Mackenzy Bernadeau
•Travis Frederick
•Zack Martin
•Doug Free
•Ronald Leary
•Jermey Parnell
•Uche Nwaneri
•John Wetzel

If we're just going by what we see, then Wetzel deserves the third tackle spot over Darrion Weems, who has missed time with a dislocated shoulder. Wetzel isn't always pretty but he is tough, will fight and knows how to keep himself in good spots. I'm starting to wonder if I just go with eight offensive linemen, which seems light given injuries. Parnell needs to play better as well but so far his job is not in jeopardy.

DEFENSIVE LINE (10)
•George Selvie
•Henry Melton
•Terrell McClain
•DeMarcus Lawrence
•Jeremy Mincey
•Tyrone Crawford
•Davon Coleman
•Ken Bishop
•Nick Hayden
•Anthony Spencer

Spencer makes his first appearance on the 53-man roster, but that doesn't mean he will be ready for Week 1. He could be ready by Week 3, however, so stashing him on PUP for the first six weeks might not be worth it. His rehab has come along well. He takes Ben Gardner's spot. If Spencer isn't read a name to watch is Kenneth Boatright. He might not be this year's Selvie, but he has some ability that could help if Spencer is not ready early in the year.

LINEBACKER (7)
•Bruce Carter
•Justin Durant
•Kyle Wilber
•DeVonte Holloman
•Anthony Hitchens
•Rolando McClain
•Cam Lawrence

I'm going back to seven linebackers and Lawrence makes his first showing in the projections. He has improved quite a bit as a linebacker and is a trustworthy special teamer. His ceiling might be lower than a Will Smith, but this defense needs help right away. Lawrence could get them through a game whereas Smith's missed time due to injury hurts his cause. I wouldn't put McClain down as a lock yet. He needs to show up in the preseason games.

CORNERBACK (5)

•Brandon Carr
•Orlando Scandrick
•Morris Claiborne
•Sterling Moore
•Terrance Mitchell

I dropped Tyler Patmon from the list and part of that has to do with the safety position. I think Patmon is a guy who can get to the practice squad. B.W. Webb still has work to do. Mitchell's competitiveness is a good thing but he has to play better with his feet. He grabs too much. Having Carr back at camp is a good thing for a group that has not been 100 percent whole yet.

SAFETY (5)
•Barry Church
•J.J. Wilcox
•Jeff Heath
•Jakar Hamilton
•Ahmad Dixon

Last week I said Dixon has to make an impression in the preseason games, and he did vs. San Diego with 12 tackles. He has a lot ot learn but he plays fast and hard. They can overlook some of his mistakes just because of his effort. Hamilton was off to a good start before he was sidetracked by a concussion. His spot is far from safe but he is an improved player.

SPECIALISTS (3)

•Dan Bailey
•Chris Jones
•L.P. Ladouceur

No change here. Not sure there will be a change all camp.

 

[Smitty]

I would drop a fullback in favor of Ryan Williams. We just don't use FBs ever.

I wouldn't bother keeping Mincey and Hayden either. Count one of those spots for Brent when he comes back, though, and the other I'd use on Ben Gardiner who has upside to be more than a zero-value player like these two.

I might be interested in dropping Heath if another of the young safeties shows up, or Cam Lawrence in favor of another CB like Webb or Patmon, but that's splitting hairs.

 

[Carp]

Cut Mincey? No way. He is not great by any means, but no way in hell I cut him. He is probably our best DE right now.

 

[Smitty]

If he is, it's only because of injury. Selvie, Spencer, Lawrence, and Crawford are all better players than him when healthy, IMO, and I don't even love Crawford or Selvie.

To me, Mincey is a player who has no place here when those guys get right. I wouldn't keep him around over a nice developmental player like Gardiner.

 

[Carp]

Well, the players you mentioned are currently injured, so yeah...he is the best DE we have now. Crawford has done nothing to be rated ahead of him...when he does that I will gladly prop him.