Five Dallas Cowboys who could be on the chopping block
By Tim Kohut
The Dallas Cowboys will have to trim their roster to the final 53 by 3:00 P.M. on September 2nd. Which veterans could be on the outs?
The Dallas Cowboys head into their dress rehearsal game against the Oakland Raiders with a few roster question marks. They are soon going to have to trim the roster to 53 players, and presumably, there will be some veterans who may be on the chopping block.
Let’s take a look at some veterans who could be casualties come September 2nd.
Leon McFadden
The Cowboys drafted two young, promising players in Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis in the draft, and also picked up Nolan Carroll in the offseason. Carroll has been somewhat shaky thus far, but he has starting experience and has had more ups than downs. If there is an odd man out in the secondary, don’t be surprised if it’s McFadden.
Tyrone Crawford
Tyrone Crawford went down with an ankle injury early this month in practice, but is on track to return at the start of the season. The Cowboys need all the defensive line help they can get, but Crawford has been banged up and mostly underwhelming the last few seasons. And despite David Irving and Damontre Moore suspended to start the regular season, the Cowboys could feel comfortable with a smaller rotation of DeMarcus Lawrence, Benson Mayowa, Taco Charlton and Charles Tapper until those two return.
Justin Durant
Justin Durant has been good for the Cowboys in his two stops, but he was mainly signed as an insurance option. It was telling that Durant didn’t play in the last preseason game, and he’s not listed on their official depth chart. He could be a casualty of final cuts if they feel Jaylon Smith is ready for a sizable role this year.
Ronnie Hillman
Ronnie Hillman was signed this year as a possible option as a third down back but has underwhelmed thus far in that role. With the steady veteran Darren McFadden more than capable at that role, there looks like there’s going to be no room for Hillman in a crowded backfield of McFadden, Alfred Morris, com/play and starter Ezekiel Elliott.
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Kellen Moore
A favorite of Scott Linehan, Kellen Moore has been given every opportunity to win the Cowboys’ backup quarterback job but has been mostly disappointing. With rookie Cooper Rush clearly outplaying Moore, the veteran may be out of a job. If the Cowboys decide against keeping three quarterbacks, Moore could well be on his way out.