Hill: Predicting Cowboys’ 53-man roster. What’s verdict on Bo Scarbrough and Rico Gathers?

[Cotton]

Predicting Cowboys’ 53-man roster. What’s verdict on Bo Scarbrough and Rico Gathers?
BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR.

August 31, 2018 11:11 AM

Updated 1 hour 49 minutes ago

The Dallas Cowboys have until Saturday at 3 p.m. to trim their final roster to 53 players.

Of course, some decisions were crystallized in the 14-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the preseason finale Thursday night and will be made before then.

Here is my crack at the final 53, understanding full well that some names have to be written in pencil.

Note: The Cowboys will add two or three players after final cuts via trade or waiver wire decisions to fill holes at safety and the offensive line.

Final roster prediction

Quarterback (3)

Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Mike White

The Cowboys will keep three quarterbacks. Neither Rush or White have shown much in the preseason. But they are young developmental quarterbacks that the team plans to roll with while praying that Prescott stays healthy.

Running back (4)

Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith, Darius Jackson and fullback Jamize Olawale

That Jackson started ahead of Bo Scarbrough Thursday night says a lot. He is a better runner and receiver night now. The Cowboys would like to get Scarbrough on the practice squad.

Tight end (3)

Geoff Swaim, Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz

Rico Gathers simply hasn’t done enough to continue the experiment. Of course, if the Cowboys go with six receivers instead of 7, he has a chance.

Receiver (6)

Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams, Tavon Austin, Michael Gallup, Deonte Thompson, Allen Hurns

Has Lenoir played well enough to warrant keeping seven receivers on the roster, especially when the offense is a decidedly run-oriented attack? While he might deserve it, we think he’ll get left off in favor of the quicker Thompson and the Cowboys will try to sign him to practice squad. Noah Brown will be stashed on Injured reserve.

Offensive line (9)

Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Joe Looney, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, Cam Fleming, Kadeem Edwards, Parker Ehinger, Travis Frederick (injured)

The Cowboys traded for Ehinger so he gets a spot. Edwards can play tackle and end so that kicks Chaz Green off the roster. Frederick will make the final 53 but will likely be placed on injured reserve as he continues to recover from Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The Cowboys will search for a backup center off the waiver wire.

Defensive line (10)

DeMarcus Lawrence, Taco Charlton, Dorance Armstrong, Randy Gregory, Tyrone Crawford, Jihad Ward, Maliek Collins, Antwaun Woods, Brian Price, Datone Jones, David Irving (suspended)

Kony Ealy almost became a Super Bowl MVP in Carolina a few years ago. Last night he was fighting for his football life in the fourth preseason game with a bunch of undrafted rookies. He didn’t win. Ward and Jones make the roster. Ealy doesn’t. Also the Cowboys hope to sign Charles Tapper to the practice squad

Linebackers (6)

Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, Damien Wilson, Leighton Vander Esch, Joe Thomas, Justin March-Lilliard.

This was easy. The top six have been set since the start of training camp. The Cowboys will try to sign Chris Covington to the practice squad.

Cornerback (5)

Chido Awuzie, Byron Jones, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Donovan Olumba

The Cowboys helped break the logjam for the fifth cornerback by trading Chavarius Ward to the Kansas City Chiefs. And then they go with Olumba over Duke Thomas and Marquez White. One or both will be signed to the practice squad.

Safety (4)

Jeff Heath, Xavier Woods, Kavon Frazier, Tyree Robinson

Write Robinson in with pencil as the Cowboys will look for safety help via a trade or the waiver wire after final cuts. And don’t forget the possibility of finally acquiring Earl Thomas from Seattle.

Specialists (3)

Kicker Dan Bailey, Punter Chris Jones, Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur

They all are among the best at what they do. What more needs to be said?

 

[Cowboysrock55]

6 DT's seems a bit heavy. Even if some of them can play DE in running situations.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I think Tapper and Covington probably make it but I mostly agree otherwise.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I think Tapper and Covington probably make it but I mostly agree otherwise.

Yeah wouldn't surprise me to see 7 LBers. They are basically the bread and butter of special teams.

 

[Genghis Khan]

9 DBs also feels light.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

9 DBs also feels light.

If we go heavier it will be guys who aren't currently on the roster. Fifth corner and fourth safety are already sort of nobody players.

 

[Rev]

How has Olumba looked?

 

[Cowboysrock55]

How has Olumba looked?

He played pretty well last night I think. He was called for a late PI but he actually made a great play. It was a bullshit call that the refs may have just been trying to get the game over with.

 

[Rev]

He played pretty well last night I think. He was called for a late PI but he actually made a great play. It was a bullshit call that the refs may have just been trying to get the game over with.

So its just a case of C Hill seeimg him last.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

So its just a case of C Hill seeimg him last.

Yeah pretty much. I honestly don't care much about the fifth corner. It's going to be some scrub that we will all hate if he is forced to play any real time.

 

[Rev]

Yeah pretty much. I honestly don't care much about the fifth corner. It's going to be some scrub that we will all hate if he is forced to play any real time.

You take that back!!!

Only interested in Duke Thomas only for a hometown story. Plus I think he had the team made last year before he was hurt for the year and would suck to come back and get cut.

 

[boozeman]

How has Olumba looked?

Better than Duke Thomas IMO.