I can find pet cats every preseason. The hardest part is figuring out where they fit when Dallas has to get down to 53.
Through two preseason games, I have three guys I’m keeping an eye on. None of them are locks to make the roster, and they aren’t just competing with the guys ahead of them at their position.
If Dallas keeps an extra receiver, running back, or edge rusher, somebody somewhere else loses a spot.
So, with one preseason game left to go, here are my three pet cats.
Justin Barron Is My #1 Pet Cat
Justin Barron is my guy. I’ve liked what Barron can bring to the team since last season. He was a pet cat of mine then too.
The converted safety had three interceptions against the Rams in joint practice, but his tackling is what I thought would hold him back, yet he has excelled in that area. PFF has Barron with a 83.7 tackling grade through two games. He has nine tackles and hasn’t missed one yet.
What’s crazy is he didn’t miss a tackle last preseason either, maybe that’s just what he does. Make tackles and intercepts passes. There are much worse things to be good at.
I found that Barron had only been targeted twice and both were caught, but only for 14 yards total. As a backup linebacker and special teams’ player, I can live with that stat line.
The only thing that makes me nervous is the numbers game. Dallas has some talent at linebacker and edge this season, and those spots can run into each other when the final cuts come.
If Dallas keeps five true off-ball linebackers, I think he’s one of them.
My odds: 70%
How Can You Not Like Shiyazh Pete
Shiyazh Pete’s problem making the roster is he doesn’t really have a position locked down. He came to Dallas as a tackle, but has been made into a guard.
The thing is, it hasn’t been a bad thing, but he is extremely tall to be a guard at 6’8” or 6’9” depending on where you look. However, PFF charted all 27 of his snaps at right guard and his pass protection caught my attention.
Pete has eight charted pass-blocking snaps without allowing a sack, hit, or pressure. He has been given a 78.2 pass-blocking grade. This is a tiny sample, but I’m interested in seeing how he grows and learns.
The run blocking is a work in progress, but someone his size may be better suited outside. A 55.3 run-blocking grade is not something to write home about and the offensive line room is crowded. But he is an inspiration to the game and a nation.
If Dallas keeps nine linemen, then Pete is out, but if they keep ten, I think his chances increase. This pet cat better have nine lives.
My odds: 30%
Tommy Dunn Jr. Will Push a Familiar Name Off the Roster
Tommy Dunn Jr. is the player I didn’t expect to push for a roster spot, but that’s where pet cats come from. An unknown player pushing for a spot after a good game.
Is he having a great preseason? No, but I came into this preseason expecting to watch Jay Toia take the next step, but an undrafted free agent has surpassed him, in my opinion.
Dunn’s preseason PFF grades aren’t special. He’s at a 53.6 overall, 56.3 against the run, and 53.0 rushing the passer. However, Toia is a 31.3 overall, and 29.2 against the run.
As far as getting pressure, Dunn has three on 34 pass-rush snaps compared to Toia’s two on 38 and Dunn has yet to miss a tackle.
I don’t want to write off Toia, but he hasn’t improved. His size is hard to come by at defensive tackle. I just think Dunn has showed us more so far.
Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark are safe. Otito Ogbonnia will have a role, LT Overton isn’t going anywhere, and Jonathan Bullard has been dealing with a hamstring injury. After that, if there is an after that, things get interesting.
My odds: 40%
The Roster Math Isn’t Good for Pet Cats
We know cutdown day gets weird because these guys aren’t competing with their own position. Dunn could beat out another defensive tackle and still lose a spot because Dallas keeps another position.
The same goes for Pete and Barron.
That’s why none of these odds can be set in stone, but right now, these three are my pet cats.
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