The Landry Hat
Fansided

Dallas Cowboys: 10 early roster bubble candidates

By Steven Mullenax

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Rico Gathers #80 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass as Folarin Orimolade #56 of the Los Angeles Rams defends during the second half of a presason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Rico Gathers #80 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass as Folarin Orimolade #56 of the Los Angeles Rams defends during the second half of a presason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images /

Charles Tapper, DE

Selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft before Dak Prescott, Tapper’s career in Dallas has been plagued by injury. This year, the competition at defensive end is fierce. The 25-year old pass rusher will need to stay healthy and turn in a stellar performance in training camp and the preseason to remain with the Cowboys. So, far he’s done little to separate himself from the pack.

Darius Jackson, RB

A fan favorite after making the Cowboys as a rookie, Jackson returned to Dallas this offseason after a stint with the Cleveland Browns. I do not believe the Cowboys will keep more than three running backs on their final 53-man roster. And as of today, both Ezekiel Elliott and Rod Smith are locks to make the team. That leaves Jackson, who is coming back from a knee injury, battling it out with rookie Bo Scarbrough, Trey Williams, and Jordan Chunn for the final spot on the roster.

Rico Gathers, TE

I know fans do not want to hear this, but Gathers is certainly on the roster bubble this year. After developing the former basketball player for the past two seasons, and the sudden retirement of Jason Witten now is the time for Rico to step up. And from what I saw during the Blue/White Scrimmage, Gathers should at least be ahead of rookie Dalton Schultz on the depth chart.

But it’s clear the Cowboys prefer both Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin over Gathers at this point. And it’s very unlikely they would waive 2018 fourth rounder Schultz in favor of Rico. Finally, it’s hard to see (yet not impossible) that the Cowboys go with four tight ends on their final roster. Gathers’ performance this preseason will likely determine his fate.

K.D. Cannon, WR

When you think about Cannon, you think about pure speed. The former Baylor Bear ran a 4.41 forty at the NFL Combine and should have been the vertical threat the Cowboys’ offense desperately needs. Instead, his lack of ball skills, poor route running, and the competition at the position will likely make Cannon a final cuts casualty.

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