The NFL Preseason has come to a close, and with it comes some tough decision making from all 32 teams.
The Dallas Cowboys have some of the toughest decisions to make around the entire league regarding the cut from 90 players to 53.
With a roster loaded with talent, surely there will be some necessary cuts that will sting, but Dallas has no choice.
In my previous article, I covered the offensive side of the ball.
Now it’s time to make my predictions for which players on defense will make the cut.
Defensive Ends (7)
- DeMarcus Lawrence
- Sam Williams
- Dorance Armstrong
- Dante Fowler
- Chauncey Golston
- Viliami “Junior” Fehoko
- Isaiah Land
The top three at defensive end are not debatable.
DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, and Dorance Armstrong are locks for the roster, but behind them is where it gets tricky.
Dante Fowler can still be an elite pass rusher, but he is also a vested veteran who could be released with the plan to bring him back after a roster move.
Chauncey Golston is a defensive end/defensive tackle tweener who has the versatility Dan Quinn loves, but might be taking too long to match his third round price.
Viliami “Junior” Fehoko is a fourth round pick who Dallas won’t risk to waivers.
Surprisingly, Isaiah Land is in the same boat, even though he is an undrafted free agent.
Land is actually listed as a linebacker on the Cowboys depth chart, but has spent nearly all of the preseason with his hand in the ground.
He has an explosive pass rush that Dallas won’t risk losing to another team on waivers.
Defensive Tackles (4)
- Osa Odighizuwa
- Mazi Smith
- Johnathan Hankins
- Neville Gallimore
Osa Odighizuwa is entering his third season, and is poised for a true breakout year.
Mazi Smith is a first round pick. Even if he played the worst football of his life, he would still make this roster.
Good thing for Dallas is he’s actually a great football player, and has shown improvement with each practice and preseason game that passes.
Johnathan Hankins is the wily veteran who knows all the tricks of the trade to help the young men in the room get better.
The plus side is he’s also still a very good football player, and proved his worth in the run defense last season.
The wildcard here is Neville Gallimore. He was a healthy scratch a few times last season, and is a prime cut candidate.
He would have something to say about that, however.
Gallimore has played this preseason like his career depended on it because it actually does.
It appears he might have just played himself back onto this football team.
Notable Cuts
- Quinton Bohanna
Linebackers (4)
- Leighton Vander Esch
- Damone Clark
- Micah Parsons
- Devin Harper
Technically, this list is only three names long.
Micah Parsons is listed as a linebacker on the depth chart, but is primarily used as an EDGE to rush the passer.
This projection also takes into account the report from Dallas Morning News reporter Michael Gehlken that Jabril Cox could be cut if not traded by the Tuesday deadline.
Leighton Vander Esch leads the linebacker wolf pack for the sixth season in a row after signing a one year deal to remain with Dallas.
Damone Clark is entering his second season, and has been flying to the football.
His draft stock does not match the talent he is displaying on the field, and he is up for a big season.
The wildcard in this situation is Devin Harper.
This spot should be for rookie DeMarvion Overshown, but a torn ACL ended that dream before it even started.
It’s possible that Harper is subject to waivers, but with the linebacker depth so shallow, I believe Dallas chooses to retain him without competition.
Linebacker is also the one position on the team I feel could use another veteran presence. Rashaan Evans anyone?
Notable Cuts
- Jabril Cox
Cornerbacks (6)
- Trevon Diggs
- Stephon Gilmore
- DaRon Bland
- Jourdan Lewis
- Nahshon Wright
- Eric Scott Jr.
The decision on who to keep at cornerback is one of the most difficult decisions to make.
Dallas might have made it a bit easier for us to decipher after the news that former second round pick Kelvin Joseph will likely be released if a trade partner isn’t found by the Tuesday deadline.
Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore make one of the most lethal cornerback tandems in the NFL.
Behind them is second year player DaRon Bland, who led the Cowboys in interceptions as a rookie, and looks to build on that success.
After that, it gets a little dicey.
If a roster spot is needed for any reason, Jourdan Lewis is a candidate for the PUP list, but all signs are pointing to him being placed immediately on the active roster.
Nahshon Wright seems to finally be utilizing the traits that made him a top-100 pick in the first place, and it earns him another chance on the team.
The final spot goes to sixth round rookie Eric Scott Jr.
Dallas moved up in the round for the rights to draft him, and would be hard-pressed to lose him to waivers.
Notable Cuts
- Kelvin Joseph
- Josh Butler
- C.J. Goodwin (a maneuver for roster space)
Safeties (6)
- Donovan Wilson
- Jayron Kearse
- Malik Hooker
- Markquese Bell
- Juanyeh Thomas
- Israel Mukuamu
The emphasis that the Cowboys have placed on the safety position under Dan Quinn is unprecedented for this franchise.
Their top three on the depth chart all received new contracts or new guaranteed money over the past few months.
Quinn runs a patented three safety look called the Big Nickel, and Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, and Jayron Kearse are all featured.
Six safeties seems like a large number for the Cowboys to roster, but that’s because they all have an elite level of position flex that can be used all over the field.
With the linebacker depth so shallow, Wilson and Kearse are frequently used in a linebacker role.
Add Markquese Bell to that list.
The loss of third round rookie DeMarvion Overshown to an ACL tear was a huge blow to the defensive game plan for the season.
Straight from Quinn’s mouth, Bell will be given the opportunity to take over that special role in the defense.
With Bell spending more time at the second level, it gives Juanyeh Thomas a chance to shine.
Thomas has been impressive in preseason, and I believe he earned a spot on the team permanently.
Speaking of position flex, Israel Mukuamu earns the final spot for his ability to also play slot cornerback.
Special Teams (2)
- Bryan Anger
- Brandon Aubrey
Notable Cuts
- Trent Sieg (a maneuver for roster space)