bbgun
If you dur me, do I not bleed?
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2013
- Messages
- 34,809
Quarterback (2)
Dak Prescott, Joe Milton IIINotable cuts: Sam Howell (sorry, Smitty)
Briefly: The Cowboys gave Howell the starting nod in the first preseason game. Schottenheimer said it wasn't by accident, pointing to the consistency Howell has shown. Howell then went out and played well. So did Milton, who took being the second quarterback against the Seahawks in stride. That battle continues to look like it will go down to the end — and if both keep playing well, could the Cowboys keep all three?
Wild card: Let's keep an eye on who starts in the second preseason game against the Cardinals. If Howell gets the start again, could that mean a gap in the race for the backup quarterback job?
Running Back (5)
Javonte Williams, Hunter Luepke, Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, Phil MafahNotable cuts: Israel Abanikanda
Briefly: There are a few things you can bank on right now. Williams is the clear starter, Luepke's making the team, and Davis might actually have a chance at being the team's backup running back, just as he was to finish last year. Davis continues to be reliable and consistently good with the ball in his hands. Schottenheimer was adamant that Blue and Mafah didn't have a lot of holes to run through against the Seahawks. Still, it would've been nice to see more.
Wild card: Could the Cowboys swing a trade near roster cutdown day? It probably depends on how much they trust Blue and/or Mafah.
Wide receiver (5)
CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, Kavontae Turpin, Camden BrownNotable cuts: Jonathan Mingo, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Anthony Smith, Jordan Hudson
Briefly: What can Brown do for you? Catch touchdowns, as he showed versus the Seahawks with two spectacular grabs. He's shown it all training camp. He showed it last year at Georgia Southern, where he set the school record for touchdown grabs. And, most important, he also can play on special teams. Nobody has risen up the depth chart more than Brown, who has gone from long shot to potential favorite for the final receiving spot.
Wild card: Mingo also had a really good day against the Seahawks, including a chase-down tackle on special teams that prevented a touchdown. Smith also made some plays. Could the Cowboys keep six? The rest of the roster might make that difficult.
Tight end (3)
Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
Notable cuts: Michael Trigg, D.J. Rogers
Briefly: As Ferguson put it, Spann-Ford joined the ball-cap club against the Seahawks. That meant he didn't have to play, because he has nothing to prove to the Cowboys. Not a bad climb for a guy who was undrafted just a few years ago. Schoonmaker, a former second-round pick, had to play, however, even if it was only a few snaps.
Wild card: Trigg was the team's best tight end against the Seahawks. He continues to play well and looks like an NFL pass catcher. He's taken strides with his blocking, too. It feels like he's right on Schoonmaker's heels. Can he overcome him? He'll have to get healthy soon to do so. He missed practice Monday with a toe injury.
Offensive line (9)
Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Nate Thomas, Drew Shelton, Trevor KeeganNotable cuts: Ajani Cornelius, Nick Leverett
Briefly: Schottenheimer insinuated he wasn't pleased with how the offensive line played against the Seahawks. He said he wants to see more consistency from the group. The Cowboys also made a couple subtle moves on the backup line at Monday's practice. They swapped Shelton and Thomas, moving Shelton to left tackle and Thomas to right. They also moved Bass to right guard, dropped Cornelius to the third team, and promoted Leverett to second-team center.
Wild card: Moving Thomas to right tackle was interesting. Is that because they think he's a better fit there, or is it because they didn't see enough of him at left? Could he be on the same path of Asim Richards last year, a former draft pick that looked like he was bound for the roster but was ultimately traded right before roster cuts?
Interior defensive line (5)
Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, L.T. OvertonNotable cuts: D.J. Withers, Tommy Dunn
Briefly: Overton was the only one of this group that played against the Seahawks. He had some good moments, including a play where he combined with Malachi Lawrence for a pressure against Drew Lock on third and long. The Cowboys feel good about their starters here.
Wild card: Bullard has been out with a hamstring injury for most of training camp. When will he return? It could be a situation where a veteran, like Bullard, heals up right before the season starts.
Outside linebacker/Edge (6)
Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, James Houston, Marist LiufauNotable cuts: Sam Williams
Briefly: We've had Liufau getting cut in favor of Williams the first two roster projections. They swap here. Why? Liufau might have an inside track on being a C.J. Goodwin-type player for the Cowboys, in terms of being ever-present on special teams. Liufau also showed flashes of what he could do as a blitzer or when he's relatively untouched, but it still feels like there's a ways to go in terms of his adjustment to being a full-time outside linebacker.
Wild card: Houston remains the interesting one. All he does is get after the quarterback. He showed it against the Seahawks. In theory, however, Miller's role could be similar to what Houston has provided. Could the Cowboys see them as redundant?
Inside linebacker (5)
DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Curtis Robinson, Shemar JamesNotable cuts: Justin Barron
Briefly: Barham returned to practice Monday and slid back into a rotational role with the starting defense. That trio appears to be set. It's also hard to envision Robinson not making this team as a special teams player and someone who could step in and be the green dot if need be, as he showed against the Seahawks.
Wild card: Barron would be hard to cut. The former undrafted free agent looks like he belongs out there. He showed in the joint practice against the Rams that he could make plays. If they cut him, they probably lose him. Could he overtake James for a spot on the roster?
Cornerback (5)
DaRon Bland, Cobie Durant, Shavon Revel, Caleb Downs, Devin Moore
Notable cuts: Caelen Carson, Josh Butler, Derion Kendrick
Briefly: Carson had three penalties against the Seahawks: a pass interference, a defensive holding, and a facemask. While that was just one game, it was notable — and for guys on the bubble, that could stick with a coaching staff.
Wild card: Butler and Kendrick are vested veterans. They don't have to go through waivers. Could the Cowboys have an agreement with one of them to come back after roster cuts and after they place up to two players on injured reserve with the designation to return? That's something that could be used with other players, too.
Safety (5)
Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell, Reddy StewardNotable cuts: Alijah Clark, Julius Wood
Briefly: Steward might be the Malik Davis of defense. He's someone the Cowboys respect, someone who's gritty, and someone who just plays well. He showed it against the Seahawks. Steward also brings versatility in the secondary. He could also play nickel corner in addition to safety.
Wild card: Wood and Clark would be tough to put through waivers. They both continue to play well. Wood especially had some big moments against the Seahawks.
Special teams (3)
Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent SiegNotable cuts: N/A
Briefly: Rinse, wash, repeat.
