Wide receiver is one of the positions we really shouldn't be worried about. The 2016 Cowboys starters were a very good group and heading into 2017, the Cowboys have that same squad… and more.
After Terrance Williams decided to stay with the Dallas Cowboys, WR stopped being a position of need. He will remain — along with Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley — as a starter on Dak Prescott's offense.
Behind these three, the only player who really has a guaranteed spot is rookie Ryan Switzer. He was a fourth round pick, has a place on special teams, and has had a good camp so far. Lock.
After these four, no one is guaranteed anything so they'll have to fight for it.
Lucky Whitehead is probably gone. He hasn't produced on special teams and now that Switzer is here, the Cowboys can let him go. Trust me, they'll find a way to run a jet sweep without him if they wish.
Noah Brown has a good shot of making the team; he's an excellent blocker. Maybe he can bring a little bit of what Vince Mayle did in 2015, plus some upside as a receiver. He'll have to fight Brice Butler for the spot.
A few weeks ago I wrote about the possibility of the Cowboys keeping six wide receivers on the roster. This may happen, but let's talk about Brice Butler.
This is what Scott Linehan said of him after the second day of Cowboys minicamp via Dallas Cowboys.
“Brice has had a good camp. We felt like since he's been here, since we brought him in two years ago that he gives you that big-time needed outside insurance. And now that he's got such a good background in our offense he's able to be more versatile and move around. So he creates matchups for us.“
It's good to hear that from Linehan, but remember what time of year it is. It's June, all around the league we see these kind of comments about any other player.
Having said that, I think Brice Butler has a very good chance of staying. And it all hinges on what Linehan said about him being “outside insurance.” That is what he brings to the table.
We have a good WR2 in Terrance Williams, but if Dez has an injury somewhere in the season, he should stay as WR2. Butler replaced Dez in 2016 when he was injured and while it wasn't ideal, it was this team's best option.
In 2015 — with or without Dez — we were still destined to have a bad season after losing Tony Romo. In 2016 we made it through the first part of the season without problems. But looking at the 2017 schedule, games won't be as easy.
And if Dallas loses Bryant this season, even if it's for just one game, they can't afford not to have an option at outside receiver.
It is an uphill battle for Butler. Since outside insurance is probably the only thing he brings to the table that another player can't, it will be difficult. But I feel he has a very good chance of making the cut.
Do you see Brice Butler making the roster for 2017?
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