Dallas Cowboys: 5 veterans who could be released in 2019

The influx of new players to the roster will force the Dallas Cowboys to make some tough decisions. Here are five veterans who could be released in 2019.

Following a nice free agency haul and the results of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys now have a bloated roster which they’ll carry throughout training camp and the entire preseason.

But the Cowboys will need to cut down their roster from 90 to just 53 players before the start of the regular season. And as a result of those tough decisions, there could be some surprising releases.

Here are five veteran players we believe could be released this year based on the recent additions made to the roster.

Rico Gathers, TE

It’s been three years since the former Baylor basketball star was drafted with the Cowboys’ final pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. And Gathers has still yet to develop into the touchdown-making machine his unique combination of size (6-6, 282) and athleticism projected him to become.

With Jason Witten returning from retirement, the Rico experiment appears to be nearing its end as Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz seem to both be above him on the depth chart. Rather than a release, a move to offensive tackle could be on the table.

Cooper Rush, QB

Rush was a preseason star his rookie season, completing 38 of his 51 passes for 398 yards, six touchdowns with no interceptions. But last year, he posted an underwhelming preseason performance as his completion percentage dropped from 74.5 to 62.2, throwing for only one score and four picks.

Considering the presence of Mike White, a fifth-round selection in 2018, and the possibility a more experienced veteran quarterback could be signed, Cooper could be on the outs this summer

Tavon Austin, WR

Austin’s role as a punt returner could keep him on the roster. But this year’s fourth-round selection, Memphis’ running back Tony Pollard, mirrors Tavon’s skill set. So the question becomes can rookie offensive coordinator Kellen Moore figure out how to use both gadget players. If a choice has to be made between the two, the 29-year old Austin, who played less than 11 percent of the offensive snaps last season, is likely a roster cut.

Daniel Ross, DT

The Cowboys added several defensive tackles to their roster this offseason. The arrival of rookie Trysten Hill plus veterans Kerry Hyder and Christian Covington could spell doom for Ross in Dallas.

Kavon Frazier, SS

Although the Dallas Cowboys did little to address their needs at safety in either free agency or the draft, it may have been enough to threaten Frazier’s job, who is in the final year of his rookie contract in Dallas.