The Cowboys have until 5pm CT today to get down to 53, and there are a few guys on the bubble that I want to see on the practice squad.
Several of these players we’ve watched in the preseason and have seen aren’t ready to play right now. Some young players need more time to catch up to the speed and physicality of the NFL, but losing them after one offseason doesn’t make sense.
My Practice Squad Prediction
*Odeleye would be the 17th player if Dallas uses the International Player Pathway exemption on him.
Anthony Smith is one I want to see Dallas to keep developing. They just drafted him, and he has the size and speed wanted by NFL teams. Camden Brown had the better preseason and probably passed him, but that doesn’t mean Smith is done.
Camden Brown just made play after play all summer, and that’s why I only have him at 50%. Dallas might want him back and never get the chance.
Michael Trigg’s three drops Friday didn’t help the guy who is known as a receiving tight end. Up until that point, he was having a pretty good preseason, but I still want him back because I think he can develop into a weapon.
There’s too much athletic ability there to only give him one preseason. Give him another year and see what happens.
I also believe Tommy Dunn could make the 53 if Jonathan Bullard is put on IR. That gives the Cowboys another defensive tackle capable of getting pressure and stopping the run.
Broderick Jones Changed the Tackle Room
The trade yesterday hurts Nate Thomas and Drew Shelton more than anyone.
Before Brodrick Jones showed up, both had a legit shot at being the swing tackle. Jones has NFL starting experience and can play both sides, so I don’t think Dallas has to force another tackle onto the roster just for insurance.
That move makes Thomas and Shelton easier to cut, but I still want them back.
Nate Thomas worries me a little more because young tackles with NFL experience tend to get claimed. Drew Shelton has enough developmental upside that another team could take a shot.
Shiyazh Pete is different. He’s a massive human being, but raw and needs time. This is a guy who you keep developing, and he could make an impact with better technique and play strength.
Julius Wood Makes Me Nervous
Julius Wood is the player I am most nervous about trying to sneak through to the practice squad.
Dallas, for the first time in a long time, has enough bodies at safety that somebody is going to get pushed out, but Wood has had a good camp, played physical, and kept showing up around the ball.
This is usually where Cowboys fans say, “We’ll get him back on Monday.” I think it’s a maybe. There are 31 other NFL teams looking at the same tape on this player.
Justin Barron falls into the same category. I really like this player, and he showed up this offseason making plays. Hopefully, he gets a shot at the 53. If not, he could be playing somewhere else.
Jordan Hudson Is the Weird One
Jordan Hudson made this whole process harder Friday night with four catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Now we have to watch as Dallas worries about getting this player back.
Even if he clears waivers, we have another issue with Hudson. Jordan Hudson is one of 41 players currently protected by a temporary court order that could allow him to return to college for another season.
So even if we see him clear waivers, he could be offered a practice squad spot and still not come back.
If Jordan Hudson chooses college over the NFL, he cannot come back for the 2026 season. The league has said players who return to school can’t come back later this year.
Langston Patterson and DJ Winfield, I found, have also had their own NCAA eligibility fights, but neither is in the same position Hudson is right now.
That’s why I give Jordan Hudson a 40% chance for the practice squad.
The Five I’m Watching Closest
If I had to pick five players I’m most worried about Dallas losing, it’s Jordan Hudson, Camden Brown, Nate Thomas, Justin Barron, and Julius Wood.
Brown and Wood may have played themselves onto someone else’s roster. While Thomas plays a position teams are always looking for, and Justin Barron had too good of a camp to assume no one noticed.
Jordan Hudson has all this, plus the college eligibility option hanging around.
Getting to the 53 is one part of today.
The other interesting part comes Monday when we find out which of these guys Dallas gets back and onto the practice squad.
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