The Dallas Cowboys are a very good football team and have a deep roster to prove it. From top to bottom they have arguably the best depth they have had in several years, which will make it really difficult to earn a spot on the Cowboys roster. This is especially true for the rookie draft class, but might be nearly impossible for any undrafted free agents.
The Dallas Cowboys have been known to find some hidden gems from the undrafted free agents they have signed in the past. Ronald Leary, La’el Collins, Cole Beasley, Barry Church, and Jeff Heath are just a few who have come in and not only contributed, but become starters. But, this year UFAs are going to have a really hard time earning a roster spot.
The Cowboys can only carry 53 players on the roster heading into the 2017 season, and a lot of those spots are already spoken for. All of the other Cowboys roster spots are few and far between, which makes training camp extremely important for these undrafted free agents.
After scouring over the Cowboys’ roster, there aren’t very many names that stand out among the UFAs. In fact, I think there are only three that have a legitimate chance at earning one of those coveted roster spots: RB Jahad Thomas, OL Dan Skipper, and OG Nate Theaker.
Jahad Thomas, Dan Skipper, and Nate Theaker should also be considered longshots to make the Cowboys roster, but I think all of them have a slight chance if they can prove themselves worthy. But, each one of them is really going to have to catch the coaching staff’s eye in training camp and prove themselves better than their competition.
Of the three, I think Jahad Thomas probably has the best chance to make the Cowboys roster. The offense could you really use another receiving type back after the departure of Lance Dunbar in free agency. That is probably Thomas’ best trait, but he’s really going to have to improve in all other areas of his game. It’s going to be difficult, but he could take over that Lance Dunbar role in 2017.
Dan Skipper is a big man (6’10”, 311), and is hopping to throw his name in the hat for one of those vacant offensive line spots at either offensive guard or tackle. The Cowboys have been working him out at guard, but he was a fixture at OT during his tenure at Arkansas. His biggest hurdle that he needs to overcome his blocking technique. If he can improve that, he has a chance to make the Cowboys roster.
Of all of the undrafted free agents, my dark horse to make the Cowboys roster in 2017 is Nate Theaker. He played both tackle positions at Wayne State and also right guard. He has the size teams look for in an offensive lineman (6’5″, 315), but it’s a big jump in competition from Wayne State to the NFL. He’s probably destined for the practice squad, but he still has a chance to make the roster.
Due to the depth the Dallas Cowboys have throughout the roster, it is extremely important the coaching staff gets things right when making cuts. All of the available spots are at a premium and I don’t know if any of the undrafted free agents are good enough to claim one.
These are some pretty good rookies, I would also like to see WR Noah Brown make the roster. He is about the same size as Bryant and plays with the same intensity. Give him a year or 2 to learn from Bryant, and I think they have a very good WR to take some of the coverage off of Bryant
Corey, I’m a big fan of Noah Brown. I think he can make the roster this season if the Cowboys carry six wide receivers or if he can prove himself more valuable than Brice Butler.
I really don’t think that will be a problem being more valuable than Butler. Butler never worked out in Oakland, and so far he hasn’t worked out in Dallas. I actually like Brice Butler and if he puts it all together he could be a dependable deep threat, but I watched him blow some easy catches last season, maybe Noah Brown will push him to be better, and if not, well bye, bye Bryce
Butler supposedly has looked really good so far this off-season and has the added benefit of being in the system now for a few years. But, he doesn’t play special teams like Noah Brown does and isn’t nearly as good of a blocker either. Brown can be used in several different ways, but Butler’s experience gives them a leg up. It’s going to be a fun training camp battle to follow.
That Noah Brown catch in the bowl was off the charts … dang! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTRAF8K6NXg
add – Zeke is a huge fan and friend of his. Good guy to have on your side on the Cowboys
Brown can be really useful in the running game with the way he prides himself on his blocking. Probably why Elliott is such a big fan ha ha.
Good point. Brown could also be a backup TE/HBack/FB similar to the way the Eagles used Keith Jackson in the late 80s, early 90’s
I’ve written about that in another article before. I think he could be an emergency TE/H back, while also playing special teams and filling in at WR from time to time. I love how much he can possibly do.
He definitely has the talent, but he still really young (19) and still needs to develop. But, I think the Cowboys found a hidden gem in the seventh round.
Realistically, if he can play special teams his rookie year without making mistakes, he has a shot to make the team.
Add – by drafting Switzer, Lucky Whitehead may be on the chopping block. Switzer is just as fast, maybe quicker, doesnt fumble as much and is gonna be a lot of fun. Great personality. His teammates gravitate toward him. If Whitehead is out, this may open the last spot in the WR rotation
I think it will come down to it the Cowboys decide to keep five or six wide receivers. If it’s just five, Butler might be kept over Brown because of his experience in the system. But, I agree that Brown has a chance to make the team because of his special-teams ability.
Brian Brown has a chance to make the team; this kid has it all….great hips, hands, deceptive speed ,and he is as smooth as glass when he runs his routes. I can’t wait until the rubber meets the road—pads and preseason! He has a future in the NFL; I hope Dallas keeps him.
I like Brian Brown as well, but I think he’s probably buried too far on the depth chart right now to make the team. I think his best bet is making the practice squad and sticking around that way.
Yes it is
Do you have the overall list of UFAs available