2025 Cowboys Cuts/Practice Squad Thread…

boozeman said:


I am glad to see they kept him.
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Since we go on college evals around here for years.

Player Bio

Even though an injury kept Houston from playing for American Heritage head coach and former NFL cornerback Patrick Surtain during his senior season in high school, Florida signed the young talent. He was suspended for his entire first season with the program due to alleged involvement in a credit card fraud scheme with other teammates. Houston returned to contribute as a reserve for the Gators in 2018 (28 tackles, two for loss, one blocked kick in 13 games), 2019 (38 tackles, six for loss with 3.5 sacks) and 2020 (37 tackles, 3.5 for loss with one sack) before transferring to Jackson State. The move paid off as he garnered second-team Associated Press FCS All-American and first-team All-SWAC honors by leading the FCS with seven forced fumbles, tying for second with 24.5 tackles for loss and with 16.5 sacks. Houston had 70 total tackles and returned his lone interception for a score during 13 starts. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis

By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 6-7

Overview
"The Problem" was just that in his lone season with the Tigers, raking in high-impact production at an impressive rate. His Florida tape gives insight into his potential as an aggressive, downhill linebacker with modest instincts and results from the middle. He's shorter and smaller than teams like along the edge but plays with an instinctive rush approach that effectively utilizes his explosive athleticism and bend to overwhelm FCS tackles. Despite a lack of ideal size, his value on special teams and upside as a rusher could create a late-round opportunity in the league.

Strengths
  • Experience at both inside linebacker and rush linebacker.
  • Amazing production in 2021.
  • Itchy downhill trigger when playing in the middle.
  • Attacks blocks with desired level of physicality and aggression.
  • Plays with loose, athletic feet and above-average bend.
  • Able to dip and bend the edge with good acceleration.
  • Quick swipe-and-hop drives his inside counters.
  • Showed off kick cover talent at Florida.
Weaknesses
  • Play can become undisciplined.
  • Undercuts blocks and will lose pursuit positioning.
  • Loses track of his fit and the football.
  • Doesn't attack and control blocker with his hands.
  • Lacks ideal size and length as an NFL edge rusher.
 
boozeman said:


I am glad to see they kept him.
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Like I said, he does have an 8 sack season on his resume in the NFL. So if he is physically back in that type of form I think he is well worth keeping around. Even if its just as a pass rush specialist. We may have more pass rushers than we need but that's a good thing. And he may have a role depending on what Parsons does.
 
Cowboysrock55 said:
Like I said, he does have an 8 sack season on his resume in the NFL. So if he is physically back in that type of form I think he is well worth keeping around. Even if its just as a pass rush specialist. We may have more pass rushers than we need but that's a good thing. And he may have a role depending on what Parsons does.
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Who are our pass rushers besides Parsons?
You have Fowler who is best as a third option and Kneeland who sets the edge. That leaves Simple Sam. He is insurance, if nothing else.
 
boozeman said:
Who are our pass rushers besides Parsons?
You have Fowler who is best as a third option and Kneeland who sets the edge. That leaves Simple Sam. He is insurance, if nothing else.
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That guy we passed on Mike Green for.
 
Bipo said:
That guy we passed on Mike Green for.
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The guy twice accused of sexual assault? The 2nd at Virginia which led him to transfer to Marshall?

I'm ok with Ezeiruaku, thanks.
 
boozeman said:
Who are our pass rushers besides Parsons?
You have Fowler who is best as a third option and Kneeland who sets the edge. That leaves Simple Sam. He is insurance, if nothing else.
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True.

With Parsons it's a good group.

Without Parsons though? It's a little rough.
 
boozeman said:
Who are our pass rushers besides Parsons?
You have Fowler who is best as a third option and Kneeland who sets the edge. That leaves Simple Sam. He is insurance, if nothing else.
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We have what 6 DEs on the roster? Fowler, Kneeland, EZ, Parsons, Sam and Houston.

Only 1 of those six is really a run defender more than a pass rusher. But I'm good with it. I think Houston plays with Parsons out. And maybe he plays with Parsons in.
 
Genghis Khan said:
True.

With Parsons it's a good group.

Without Parsons though? It's a little rough.
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With Parsons it's probably one of the best pass rushing groups in the league, without him I think it's a group that could be anywhere from average to very good, depending on how quick Ezeiruaku develops and how much Kneeland has improved.

The question is in the run game, as always, and none of them are guys who project as strong edge setters except Kneeland.

It's one of the reasons I'd be fine moving Parsons for someone like Rashan Gary or Travon Walker and picks, because we'd suddenly have two stout edge setters (combined with Kneeland) while also still having a number of pass rushing options.
 
Definitely a good group... Which will make it even more frustrating when we can't stop the run to get in obvious passing situations. :(
 
Chocolate Lab said:
Definitely a good group... Which will make it even more frustrating when we can't stop the run to get in obvious passing situations. :(
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They showed a little NASCAR package with all four light rushers a bit so it is clear they want to do some of that. But it will be next to impossible giving up four yards a carry.
 
Simpleton said:
With Parsons it's probably one of the best pass rushing groups in the league
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Probably true.

Simpleton said:
without him I think it's a group that could be anywhere from average to very good, depending on how quick Ezeiruaku develops and how much Kneeland has improved.
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That's awfully optimistic. Average I think would be best case scenario. Ez would have to be real, real good right away for them to be better than that, and that's not historically realistic.

Most likely Fowler would be your best pass rusher. That's not ideal. God only knows what we get from the other guys.
 
Genghis Khan said:
Probably true.




That's awfully optimistic. Average I think would be best case scenario. Ez would have to be real, real good right away for them to be better than that, and that's not historically realistic.

Most likely Fowler would be your best pass rusher. That's not ideal. God only knows what we get from the other guys.
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I think by the end of the year Ezeiruaku could be an 8-10 sack caliber guy, the only question is if/when he gets to that point. If he does, I think we would have a very good group between him, Fowler, Kneeland, Williams and Houston.

I could see those 5 guys putting up about 30 sacks in an optimistic scenario.

If Ezeiruaku doesn't get to that point as a rookie that's when I think you have an average group, with several guys capable of giving you 5-7 sacks, but no true standouts.

I mean, the Shitskins made the NFCC last year with Fowler as their best edge rusher and not much else at that spot, I think you're miscalculating what league average looks like.
 
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