Dallas Cowboys: Will Orlando Scandrick be on the roster Week 1?

The Dallas Cowboys have spent the offseason retooling the defensive side of the ball, but with the many additions where does corner Orlando Scandrick fit?

The beginning of the offseason saw the Dallas Cowboys losing several defensive players to free agency.

Former first round pick cornerback Morris Claiborne signed a deal with the New York Jets. Veteran corner Brandon Carr signed with the Baltimore Ravens on a deal that was worth up to $24 million over four years. Carr, unlike Claiborne, was a mainstay in the defense and didn’t miss a start during his tenure with the Cowboys.

Safety J.J. Wilcox wasn’t expected to return to the Cowboys and signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fellow safety Barry Church had definitely been on the Cowboys radar to be re-signed. His four-year, $26 Million dollar deal was certainly more than Dallas had hoped to pay considering their tight cap situation entering free agency.

The losses of key players in the secondary would not phase the Cowboys as they signed safety Robert Blanton and corner Nolan Carroll to team friendly deals. Soon after they used four of their draft picks to address the secondary. This included three corners, Chidobe Awuzie (2nd round), Jourdan Lewis (3rd round), and Marquez White (6th round).

With the many additions where does this leave veteran Orlando Scandrick?

During the draft there were rumors the Cowboys were shopping around Scandrick to load up on more draft picks. Cowboys officials ultimately denied the reports, but as the old saying goes: “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

Scandrick seems to have lost a step or two in recent years. Add in a few injuries and a suspension, and that may have the Cowboys at the end of their rope. In total, Scandrick has missed 22 games the past three seasons. Being Dallas’ top corner, this is unacceptable.

With the young talent the Cowboys have drafted, and the veteran presence of Nolan Carroll and second-year corner Anthony Brown, Scandrick may be fighting to find snaps.

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Orlando Scandrick certainly can’t be excited about the crowded secondary. Being on the wrong side of 30 may not help his case as well. With three years remaining on his current contract, Scandrick may be safe this year. But another lack luster season or a significant amount of absent games and the Dallas Cowboys may look to their young talent to lead the future.