The Dallas Cowboys and the rest of the NFL had to trim their rosters down to 53 players on Sunday, something that wasn’t easy to do.
Dallas deserves credit for building a strong depth chart, which meant there were some very difficult cuts to make. That included saying goodbye to two running backs who were fan favorites as rookies one year ago in Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. Out of the two, Blue was the more shocking cut, especially after he entered training camp on a high note.
Another surprising release was tight end Michael Trigg, who had been a standout throughout the offseason. In the end, the Cowboys felt better about Luke Schoonmaker as their TE3 behind Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Spann-Ford.
Prior to their cutdowns, Dallas also added some help by trading for offensive tackle Broderick Jones, a former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His addition meant Nate Thomas would be on the way out, and Thomas was traded to the Houston Texans for a seventh-round pick.
As for those who made the roster, one of the more intriguing names was Camden Brown. The undrafted free agent was a star throughout the preseason and ended up making the roster with Dallas realizing they couldn’t expose him to waivers. With all that said, here’s a look at the initial Cowboys’ 53-man roster.
Quarterback:Dak PrescottSam HowellJoe MiltonRunning Back:
Dallas Cowboys RB Javonte Williams goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Javonte WilliamsMalik DavisHunter Luepke
Notable Cuts: Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah
Wide Receiver:CeeDee LambGeorge PickensRyan FlournoyKaVontae TurpinJonathan MingoCamden Brown
Notable Cuts: Anthony Smith
Tight End:Jake FergusonBrevyn Spann-FordLuke Schoonmaker
Notable Cuts: Michael Trigg
Offensive Line:
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Tyler GuytonTyler SmithCooper BeebeTyler BookerTerence SteeleDrew SheltonBroderick JonesT.J. BassAjani CorneliusDefensive Line:Quinnen WilliamsKenny ClarkOtito OgbonniaJonathan BullardLT Overton
Notable Cuts: Jay Toia
EDGE:
Dallas Cowboys EDGE Von Miller looks on in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Rashan GaryDonovan EzeiruakuMalachi LawrenceVon MillerJames HoustonTyrus Wheat
Notable Cuts: Sam Williams
IR: Marist Liufau
Inside Linebacker:DeMarvion OvershownJaishawn BarhamDee WintersShemar James
Notable Cuts: Justin Barron, Langston Patterson, Curtis Robinson
Cornerback:
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Cobie Durant during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
DaRon BlandShavon Revel Jr.Cobie DurantCaelen CarsonAmeer Speed
IR: Devin Moore
Safety:Caleb DownsJalen ThompsonMalik HookerP.J. LockeMarkquese BellAlijah Clark
Notable Cuts: Julius Wood
Specialists (3):
Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey looks to attempt a field goal during the game between the Cowboys and the Saints. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Brandon Aubrey, KBryan Anger, PTrent Sieg, LS
Dallas could still shake things up with teams being able to make waiver claims until 1:00 p.m. EST on Monday. Of course, anyone they add would mean someone on the current 53-man roster will be in danger of losing their spot.
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