Dallas Cowboys: Allen Hurns release opens door for unproven receivers

Now that it’s being reported that the Dallas Cowboys will release Allen Hurns soon, which young wide receiver will step up to take his place this summer?

On Tuesday, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported the Dallas Cowboys will release 27-year old wide receiver Allen Hurns after only a year playing with America’s Team. The move will save the Cowboys $5 million in salary-cap space.

But releasing Hurns also opens up a window of opportunity for several unproven wide receivers in Dallas. The move will allow someone to step up this summer and earn a place on the final 53-man roster. But who figures to benefit the most from Hurn’s absence?

First, let’s determine which of the soon-to-be just 11 wide receivers on the Cowboys’ currently bloated roster are likely already locks to make the final 53. I believe it’s fairly safe to say Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Randall Cobb are all safe. Cooper is coming off a Pro Bowl season (his third), Gallup was a 2018 third-rounder that finished strong last season, and Cobb was just signed as a free agent in part to replace former slot receiver, Cole Beasley.

That leaves eight wide receivers vying for a little as two (maybe three) remaining spots. They are Tavon Austin, Noah Brown, Reggie Davis, Jalen Guyton, Jon’Vea Johnson, Lance Lenoir Jr., Devin Smith, and Cedrick Wilson.

I believe Austin’s ability as a punt returner could earn him a spot on the final-53. But his $1.3 million salary-cap hit could also make him expendable, especially if someone like rookie running back Tony Pollard wins the special teams returner job this summer.

Brown is an excellent run-blocker and that could give him the edge over other, unproven receivers. Lenior has always shined in training camp and the preseason but has had little opportunity to do so in the regular season. That could change with the recent release of Hurns.

Davis, plus undrafted rookies Guyton and Johnson all made noise this offseason during OTAs and minicamp. You have to believe at least one of them steps up during training camp or the preseason to challenge for a spot on the final 53. Each would be an excellent candidate for the practice squad.

Smith is a former second-round selection that possesses blazing speed. But questions about his durability could prevent him from making the final roster. Finally, Wilson was a sixth-round selection out of Boise State in 2018 who might have made the final 53 last year. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury (torn labrum) ended his rookie season before it began. Coming off the injury, Wilson faces more competition than ever to make the squad.

By releasing Allen Hurns, the Dallas Cowboys are not only opening up space on their salary cap but opening up an opportunity for one of the above wide receivers to make the team’s final roster. The move simply adds yet another wrinkle to the several intriguing storylines we get to watch unfold over the next few weeks as training camp kicks off in Oxnard.