We all knew that at some point the Dallas Cowboys would activate veteran running back Darren McFadden and add him to the 53 man roster. To make such a move the organization had to release someone, and even though many of us have projected who that player may be, I don’t think any of us saw them cutting Darius Jackson.
Darius Jackson isn’t a household name by any means, so many of you will probably just shrug your shoulders upon hearing of his release, but I for one am left in the state of disbelief. I’ll admit, it was literally one of those jaw-dropping moments for me.
Now, Jackson may be in his first year in the NFL after being drafted in the sixth round by the Cowboys, but I really had big expectations for him once he had time to develop his skill set a little more.
The former Eastern Michigan product possesses an impressive combination of size, speed, and explosiveness, which was on full display at his Pro Day earlier in the off-season. He is a complete back and can not only run the ball, but is an effective receiver out of the backfield and not bad in pass protection either, although that was still a work in progress.
The Dallas Cowboys now risk another team claiming him off of waivers, and I for one would be surprised if he isn’t. Hopefully though, he goes unclaimed and the Cowboys can bring him back as a member of the practice squad.
I honestly would hate to see him become a productive member for another team in the NFL, especially considering the team chose to keep Lance Dunbar instead.
You see, Dunbar was my choice for the Cowboys to release when Darren McFadden was brought back to the active roster. I really have a disdain for specially players and to me that’s the category I would put #25 in.
He is not the type of player you want to see carrying the ball between the tackles and the only thing he has been somewhat successful at is as a receiver out of the backfield. Of course, that’s not even mentioning the fact that he has a history of being injury prone.
To me, Darius Jackson can do all of those things and has more upside down the road. Unfortunately, we may now see him find success with another team.
I really just thought it was odd that the Cowboys would choose to keep Dunbar, who is on a one-year deal, over Jackson, who is in the first year of his rookie contract. Typically in these situations you see the aging/injury prone veteran get the ax, not the young player with promising potential.
The only thing that I, and the rest of us can do is wait and see if Darius Jackson can somehow slip through waivers and become a member of the Cowboys practice squad.
Here’s to hoping that the Cowboys mistake of releasing Jackson in the first place can be rectified by bringing him back to the team.
Would you like to see Darius Jackson return to the Dallas Cowboys?
Please feel free to use the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions on this topic.
OF COURSE….the cowboys made a HUGE mistake releasing D.Jackson. He’s the better complete back on the the roster outside of Zeke. Alfred Morris has gave you little of nothing, Dunbar is only in as a 3rd down receiver , and McFadden is in the last year of his deal. The only thing that would make this worse is if he’s claimed by a playoff team Specifically the GIANTS. Overall bad move boys!!!!
Travis, you’re completely right. I think he is the most complete back outside of Zeke. That’s why it was so surprising that he was the one released. I’m still holding out hope that he can be added to the practice squad, but I think that is highly unlikely.
Bad move!
I agree Robert.
I agree I was completely surprised by this move I really wished they would have released Dunbar or even DMC over Jackson. The only reason I can think of why they released Jackson is maybe he was late to a meeting or he didn’t have a tie lol. We can only hope no other team has seen what we all on here see in Jackson and let him clear waivers and hope we resign him to PS. Of course if we give Dunbar a couple more touches this week he will be heading to IR next week then we can bring Jackson back.
Thanks for commenting Jeff. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one surprised by Jackson’s release. I’m really hoping he can clear waivers and come back to the Cowboys.
If he clears waivers the Cowboys need to drop Dunbar and resign Jackson. This is a horrible move.
Skidmark, unfortunately I don’t see them doing that since they kept Dunbar over Jackson in the first place. Fortunately though, the Cowboys can add Jackson to the practice squad and still keep Dunbar. He just has to clear waivers first.
The problem is Whitehead. The Cowboys need Dunbar around for when he misses meetings… ;^)
Russ, I would be fine with getting rid of both Whitehead and Dunbar. Give me a more complete player over a specialty player any day.
Checking Google news for Jackson and there it is, 14 minutes ago. Cleveland claimed him >
https://www.all22.com/dallas-cowboys/browns-claim-cowboys-running-back-darius-jackson
But the Browns are done in 3 weeks and DJ could be teamless again this offseason.
Yeah, Cleveland claimed him. I doubt that he will be team less again this off-season. This move was probably made for future purposes. That’s true running backs can be found later in the draft, that’s for the Cowboys found Jackson in the first place. Christine Michael was a second round pick however.
Right about Michael. But he’s bouncing around now, had 10 carries for Green Bay last week. Marion Barber III, 4th round. These RB’s with power & burst seem to be prevalent out of college now.
It’s true that Cleveland may see DJ as part of their rebuild.
The RB position takes less time for rookies to contribute in the NFL. It is still disappointing that the Cowboys had a promising first-year player in Jackson. It seems like a wasted pick that might have to be addressed again in the upcoming draft.
Both Eagles and Giants made claims on him. Thank God the Browns took him first
Assassin, I saw that also. I would’ve hated seeing Darius Jackson find success with the Eagles or Giants. At least with the Browns I can root for him.
Yep. Would have hated to see him with either one. And like you mentioned on the contract. We have Zeke for three more years plus an option year. Dunbar is only signed through this year. Morris and McF are both signed through 2017. We would have had DJ for 3 more years on a cheap rookie deal.
Assassin, McFadden is a FA after the season as well.
You are correct. my bad.
No worries. That’s why I was really confused by the release of Jackson with two running backs in the last year of their contracts.