I know it’s a little early in the process to start thinking about roster cuts with a few weeks of preseason still remaining, but I’ve been doing just that. You see, the Dallas Cowboys have very few available spots up for grabs, which means they will have to let go of some talented players.
Once cut, players are subject to the waiver wire and have no control over which team puts in a claim to acquire their service. It’s just how things work in the NFL. But, if a team truly values someone at risk of being cut, they could try to work out a trade before the player hits the waiver wire. We have seen the Dallas Cowboys do this in the past.
With so much talent on the roster, the Cowboys could end up shopping some of their players before final cuts are made. There is no way of knowing if anybody would be interested in entering trade discussions for any of the Cowboys potential roster cuts, but I do believe they have a few players who have some trade value.
WR Terrance Williams
With the way some of the Dallas Cowboys younger wide receivers are performing in training camp practices and in preseason, Terrance Williams could find himself on the outside looking in when roster cuts are made. Yes, the Cowboys would have to be willing to swallow the dead money they’d have to take on by releasing him, but it could be worth it if it means keeping someone with more upside.
Williams could be viewed as a progress stopper with the Cowboys right now, which could make him expendable. He may not have value in Dallas any longer, but there are other teams around the NFL who could use his services. It probably wouldn’t take more than a 2019 late round draft pick to acquire him if indeed the Cowboys are planning to move on.
TE Rico Gathers
There is an unwarranted fascination surrounding Dallas Cowboys Tight End Rico Gathers, despite very little production to justify it. I’ll admit, I was excited about Gathers’ development and what he could possibly turn into, but I think my excitement has dwindled. He simply hasn’t emerged as of yet and I just don’t think the Cowboys coaching staff has much faith in him doing so.
We all know Gathers could be a mismatch in the passing game, but the Cowboys ask a lot more from their TEs in their offensive scheme. Unfortunately, Gathers just hasn’t been able to pick up the mental side of the game or develop as a blocker since coming to Dallas. I don’t really think he’s shown enough in the passing game to warrant a roster spot either, which means his fate could be sealed. But, some other team could be interested in trading for him instead of trying to pick him up off of waivers.
DE Kony Ealy
At the time, I thought the Dallas Cowboys signing Defensive End Kony Ealy in the offseason was a good move. He provided some much-needed depth to the DE position, but that was before and this is now. Unfortunately for Ealy, he could be buried on the depth chart behind some young up-and-coming pass rushers with more upside.
This year’s fourth-round draft pick Dorance Armstrong hass been a pleasant surprise so far and has probably secured a roster spot. Taco Charlton, the Cowboys first-round draft pick last year, looks like an entirely different player and isn’t going anywhere. Then, you add in the return of Randy Gregory and that just doesn’t leave much room for Ealy. But, the veteran could have other suitors around the league, prompting the Cowboys to trade him.
DE Charles Tapper
It’s really unfortunate Charles Tapper hasn’t really been healthy since joining the Dallas Cowboys. I think he is talented with starting potential, but injuries have prevented him from becoming the player I think he could be. But, just like Kony Ealy, Tapper is stuck in a numbers crunch and will likely be a roster cut when all is said and done.
I’m actually going to be a little disappointed to see Tapper go. I’ve been a fan of his, but there’s comes a time when you have to cut ties, and his time looks as if it’s up. He is as physically gifted as just about any defensive end in the NFL, which could mean another team would like to take a chance on him and work out a trade with the Cowboys.
