The Dallas Cowboys announced their 53 man roster a few days ago and to be completely honest they made some head scratching moves, at least to the people outside the organization.
I thought I would take this opportunity to share with all of you some of the questions I have in regards to the Cowboys roster and what I would do to help provide depth from top to bottom.
I personally found it a little strange some of the positions they decided to go long at, especially considering it caused them to go short at positions that were already worrisome to begin with.
Below are three questions and solutions I have regarding the Cowboys 53 man roster as it stands now.
How many running backs is too many?
We all knew that it would be difficult for the Dallas Cowboys to decide which running backs would make the final 53 man roster, but I don’t think anyone would’ve predicted that they keep six total RBs.
It’s almost as if they couldn’t decide who stays and who goes, so they chose not to make a decision at all.
Ezekiel Elliott, Alfred Morris, Darius Jackson, and Lance Dunbar all look good on paper, but how the coaching staff is going to determine individual roles for each player is completely mind-boggling.
To make matters even more confusing, the Cowboys decided to keep two fullbacks as well.
The Dallas Cowboys only use a fullback occasionally as it is, so to keep two of them means your sacrificing depth at another position.
It’s really going to be interesting to see how the coaching staff handles the RBs for the Week 1 match up against the New York Giants. Maybe then we can get some answers.
My solution: Cut both Rod and Keith Smith, which would free up two roster spots and give Geoff Swaim a new offensive role.
Is there safety in numbers?
Minds were blown when the Dallas Cowboys announced the roster cuts and safety JJ Wilcox was not among them.
For years now fans have been calling for Wilcox to get the ax, but for some reason the Cowboys decided to keep five safeties, which saved Wilcox’s job for now.
We all know that Byron Jones and Barry Church are penciled in as the starters, with Jeff Heath as the reserve after signing a new long-term contract.
It was thought that the Cowboys would just keep four safeties, with rookie Kavon Frazier claiming that last spot based on his performance in the preseason. That simply wasn’t the case, but again the decision to go a little long at the safety position means you have to go a little short somewhere else.
The Cowboys must want Wilcox around mainly for special teams, because he has yet to develop as a reliable safety. He may however be on a short leash if the Cowboys decided to add another player and need a roster spot.
My solution: Keep Wilcox for now, but if depth is needed at a different position (defensive end), then cut #27 and use his vacated roster spot.
Defensive end depth or lack thereof
Probably the biggest surprise when the Dallas Cowboys announced their 53 man roster was the lack of depth at the defensive end position.
I’m sure all eyes will be on who the bookends are on the defensive line when they square off against the New York Giants Week 1. Nobody really knows who is going to start it DE or the Cowboys.
David Irving has shown a little promise in the preseason and it looks as if Jack Crawford will be in that DE rotation somewhere. Then you have the unknown in Benson Mayowa. He played a little bit against the Seahawks, but not really enough to gauge the type of player he is.
I almost completely forgot about Charles Tapper. That’s because he has been sidelined with a back injury that we have just found out was more serious than believed. Supposedly he has a small fracture that he’s lived with for a while now.
Who knows when or if he will be available?
It’s no secret that the Cowboys need depth at DE. That’s why it was a little surprising they didn’t bring in anybody through waivers.
My solution: If you been paying attention, I freed up two, possibly three roster spots by releasing Rod Smith, Keith Smith, and possibly JJ Wilcox.
I would use those three roster spots to bring in some defensive end depth by poaching Tyrone Holmes from the Cleveland Browns practice squad and sign veteran free agent Ryan Davis. That would give the Cowboys a young developmental player in Holmes and a veteran DE in Davis.
I know that would personally make me feel a lot better about the depth at defensive end.
Do you agree or disagree?
Please feel free to use the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions on this topic.
Supposedly Wilcox is a ST player and Bisaccia may have lobbied to keep him. the 2 FBs serve other roles as ST players, pitch in LB and possible pass catching RB? I am not sold on this flawed logic, and it now confirms my worst assumptions of this ownership and coaching staff. They don’t get it after 20 years of failure. No wonder Bill Parcells walked away.
Well, to be fair, Bill Parcells hasn’t coached since. But yeah, I generally agree.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Ethan. I tend to agree with what you said about the fullbacks. I understand that they serve other roles, but I just think there were probably better ways to use those roster spots. The defense is so thin at defensive end it’s ridiculous. Geoff Swaim played TE/FB in college at UT and I think he could serve the same type of role with the Cowboys. Then you can find some defensive ends that can contribute on special teams and add much-needed depth at the position.
Def agree. For some reason always wanted to hold onto Wilcox..I’m over that now. Put swaim in the h back role until Hanna returns. I think Hanna has the perfect skill set and size to fit that role. Would love to add those two def ends.
Thanks for commenting Dru. I really think those roster moves provide better depth from top to bottom on the roster. The Cowboys are dangerously thin at the DE position. They can’t afford to have anybody get injured. And I love the idea of using Swaim as a TE/FB. He filled that role in college at UT and did a pretty good job.
Cowboys need 2 bring in a stud at DE,putting presure on the opposing team is a major concern,bite the bullet Jerry Jones bring back Greg Hardy,you can get him on the cheap.”Defense Win Champonships”,Take a page from Jimmy Johnson,as long as you can sack the quarterback,winning will my the haters silient.LoveThemCowboys.
Victor, there is a reason why Greg Hardy is still unemployed. I think there was a lot more going on behind the scenes then we realized last year with the Cowboys. I think he pretty much burned all of his bridges with the organization and maybe with the rest of the NFL as well. I know it’s kind of hard for us fans to accept, but even though Greg Hardy would immediately improve the pass rush, I think I can say with 100% certainty he will never wear a star on his helmet again.
I agree 100% they need more help on defense very uncomfortable about this first game I also propose putting Gathers at defensive end