The Dallas Cowboys have officially closed out their OTA and mini-camp practices, and won’t take the field again as a team until July 30 in Oxnard, California at the start of training camp. That’s not to say that players won’t continue working out or practicing on their own, it just means that we have about a month before any official practices get underway once again.
This is a slow time in regards to any Dallas Cowboys related news, and unfortunately any news that makes headlines is probably going to be of the negative nature (let’s hope that doesn’t happen).
So, I thought I would take the opportunity to try and predict the final 53 man roster for the Dallas Cowboys.
Quarterback (3):
Tony Romo, Kellen Moore, Dak Prescott
Analysis: Tony Romo is without a doubt the #1 QB and the team’s success will likely be determined by his health. Kellen Moore is the backup as of now, but how he performs in training camp will ultimately decide if the organization looks for someone more experienced. Dak Prescott gets the nod over Jameill Showers because of his draft status, but I’m hoping the Cowboys can find a way to keep Showers around somehow.
Running Back (3):
Ezekiel Elliott, Alfred Morris, Darius Jackson
Analysis: Ezekiel Elliott is going to receive a heavy workload as a rookie and should be a stud running behind the Cowboys dominant offensive line. Alfred Morris is guaranteed to make $1.8 million, so he will provide the veteran leadership and backup duties behind Elliott. I gave rookie Darius Jackson the nod over Darren McFadden because owner/general manager Jerry Jones has said before that he wants his third running back on the depth chart to contribute on special teams, and that’s not part of McFadden’s game anymore. Lance Dunbar likely starts of the year on the PUP list, but if Jackson performs well enough, Dunbar could become expendable.
Wide Receiver (5):
Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Brice Butler, Andy Jones
Analysis: I think the top four receivers (Bryant, Williams, Beasley, and Butler) are probably pretty set, so that leaves an intense battle for the final WR spot. This is the first real shocker about my roster projection and Lucky Whitehead gets beat out by UFA Andy Jones. Jones received the opportunity to practice with the first team unit and might offer more as a WR than Whitehead.
Fullback (1):
Rod Smith
Analysis: Rod Smith offers an interesting skill set that is intriguing because of his versatility to play both fullback and essentially be the fourth running back for the Dallas Cowboys. Smith also plays special-teams, but he really made my roster because offensive coordinator Scott Linehan can really get creative in the way that they decide to use him on offense.
Tight End (3):
Jason Witten, James Hanna, Geoff Swaim
Analysis: No, Rico Gathers doesn’t make the final 53 man roster. He is still is just too raw to justify a roster spot. Gavin Escobar may not be fully healthy when the season kicks off, but even if he is, I’m still not sure I would keep him around. Honestly, I would see if I could find a trade partner if possible. Jason Witten and James Hanna aren’t going anywhere, but this will be a big training camp for Geoff Swaim. The Dallas Cowboys could keep a watchful eye on the waiver wire and see if there is a better option for the third tight end.
Offensive Line (9):
Tyron Smith, La’el Collins, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, Doug Free, Ronald Leary, Joe Looney, Charles Brown, Chaz Green
Analysis: Ronald Leary could be a tradable commodity, but he is valuable because he provides a backup with starting experience. Charles Brown is the swing tackle as of now, but if Chaz Green can beat him outright it could possibly allow the Cowboys to go a little lighter along the offensive line. Who knows, maybe Green can even push Doug Free for a starting role. Joe Looney was signed to be the backup at both center and guard and the rest of the starters along the offensive line is as good as there is in the NFL.
Defensive Line (10):
Ryan Russell, David Irving, Benson Mayowa, Jack Crawford, Charles Tapper, Mike McAdoo, Tyrone Crawford, Cedric Thornton, Terrell McClain, Maliek Collins
Analysis: DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory are expected miss the first four games of the season due to suspension, but we’re still waiting to get word of Lawrence’s appeal, so his suspension could be lessened. I went a little deeper at the defensive line position because of those suspensions and as a result Mike McAdoo makes the roster. I expect the Cowboys to keep a close watch on the waiver wire and possibly add another pass rusher via trade.
Linebacker (7):
Sean Lee, Rolando McClain, Anthony Hitchens, Kyle Wilber, Damien Wilson, Andrew Gachkar, Mark Nzeocha
Analysis: There are no real surprises here. Sean Lee and Rolando McClain will once again be the focal point of the linebacker position, but keep a close eye on Mark Nzeocha. He could challenge for the starting strong side linebacker position and be a key member on special teams as well.
Cornerback (5):
Orlando Scandrick, Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne, Anthony Brown, Deji Olatoye
Analysis: The cornerback position is a little concerning but, like it or not, the top three spots are locked down by Scandrick, Carr, and Claiborne. The fourth and fifth spots on the depth chart are up for grabs. Rookie Anthony Brown is intriguing and has been practicing as both an outside CB and in the slot. Deji Olatoye showed a little something towards the end of the 2015 season and has a size advantage over other Cowboys cornerbacks.
Safety (4):
Byron Jones, Barry Church, Jeff Heath, Kavon Frazier
Analysis: It may not be a big surprise to some of you, but I have the Dallas Cowboys saying goodbye to J.J. Wilcox. He is in the last year of his rookie contract and has failed to develop the way that the organization had hoped. Kavon Frazier doesn’t really have to show a whole lot to make Wilcox expendable, but he does have to prove that he has more upside. Byron Jones, Barry Church, and Jeff Heath are all but locked in, but if there was an odd man out it would likely be Church if someone proves to be a better option.
Specialist (3):
Dan Bailey, Chris Jones, L.P. Ladouceur
Analysis: Barring some unfortunate injury, the specialists for the Dallas Cowboys are chiseled in stone. I don’t foresee any changes at all here. You simply don’t mess with a good thing, and the Dallas Cowboys have a real good thing going with Dan Bailey, Chris Jones, and L.P. Ladouceur.
Thoughts? Opinions? Snide remarks?
Please feel free to use the comment section below to provide any information that you believe is worthy of further discussion. I look forward to hearing from you..
I think Kellen Moore will perform just fine in TC and preseason games and earn the 2nd team QB position. He should be at a point in his career where he is confident, experienced and ready. He should be able to step up and perform well. He still has a lot to prove and may not get any more chances. If he doesn't earn the 2nd team QB position, no other team will likely pick him up. He does play better than he practices, so should look better in preseason games than maybe he does in practices.
Thanks for commenting George. It's the very fact that this might be Kellen Moore's last chance to make something of himself in the NFL that causes concern for me. Like you said, no other team will likely pick him up. It's that fact alone that concerns me that the Dallas Cowboys are gambling on a backup QB that no one else wants. I'm pulling for him to prove himself, but the concern will continue to remain until he can prove me wrong.
Brian Martin: There are a lot of sports writers, experts and fans that think the Cowboys are gambling on an inferior or subpar backup QB. This is somewhat true with the fact K Moore has limited season game experience. I think we will continue to hear this complaint/observation until K Moore proves himself some more in preseason games. It is up hill for K Moore because the NFL decided he could probably not play in the NFL with his physical limitations back when he didn't get drafted. He has already proven he should have been drafted. The coaches seem to be pretty confident that Kellen Moore can do the job. I also think he can do the job especially based on S Linehan's recent comments about K Moore. Once Kellen Moore proves himself some more, I think he will get other chances but if he does not earn the 2nd team QB position in 2016, I am not sure he will get any more chances.
I'm waiting to see what Kellen Moore can do in training camp and preseason before passing judgment. I'll be completely on board if he shows improvement. He knows Scott Linehan's offensive system, so there shouldn't really be any excuses for poor performance. I personally think he's on a short leash and the Cowboys could be watching the waiver wire closely if they don't see the kind of progression they want from Kellen Moore.
Brian: Sorry to keep commenting about K Moore but I am not sure about your word progression. I think K Moore can play sort of like he has in the past and still meet the Dallas standard for 2nd team QB. He has played fairly well in preseason games and last year in season games but has not received a lot of recognition. In 2013 against New England he subbed for Hill at 2nd team and had a high QB rating, scored two touchdowns, had no interceptions and essentially won the game. In 2014 he had a 108 QB rating for the preseason with three touchdowns and no interceptions but was playing mostly 3rd team. Last year in season games he did fairly well if you factor in it was his first time playing against first team defenses and he had limited reps getting ready to play. He didn't win any games and had mediocre stats overall which makes most sports writers and fans put him in the same category as Weeden and Cassel which is not really true since he outplayed them overall and they are more experienced then K Moore. I think K Moore will play well in 2016 preseason games and earn the 2nd team QB position.
George, I'm actually rooting for Kellen Moore, but I do want to see more from him in order to feel comfortable with him as a backup QB heading into the season. In all honesty though, I do have a gut feeling that Jameill Showers might just outperform both Moore and Prescott in preseason. He has had a year in the system now and should be more comfortable leading the offense. I'm looking forward to seeing how this position battle shakes out.
I believe the Cowboys should try and bulk Barry Church up a bit and use him as a hybrid linebacker safety, if nothing else just to see how it works. I believe Dak P. Will be the back up QB. He offers a little more versatility at the position than moore. It's all going to be on how he performs, but I believe dallas drafted him because of his skill set.
Who would you play it safety if you using Barry Church as a hybrid linebacker/safety? I personally don't like that idea. I don't see Dach Prescott as the backup in his rookie season. He's just not going to receive a lot of practice repetitions because I think will be evaluating Kellen Moore. As of right now, I think Kellen Moore is the backup,, but I think the Cowboys will be watching the waiver wire very closely and looking for someone with more experience.