Which valued Dallas Cowboys receiver will Devin Smith unseat?
By Brad Austin
With two preseason games left the Dallas Cowboys are facing the welcomed problem of more capable receivers than roster space.
The rise of unheralded veteran receiver Devin Smith in Dallas Cowboys training camp has created a unique and welcomed problem for the front office. When the August smoke clears, there may be more desired weapons than roster spots to fill. After two preseason games the receiver pecking order likely shakes out as follows …
At most, Dallas will keep six receivers on the final roster. Brown’s continued injury absence makes him likely destined for the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He would not occupy a roster spot and could not return until Week Seven.
With Brown temporarily out of the mix, it would seem the final six are all but set. Of course there are two preseason games remaining, but other contenders have already shown inconsistencies that won’t be ignored.
If the order holds as predicted above, who will be the odd man out when Brown returns? Some feel Brown himself could be the casualty. But that’s ignoring the staff’s affection for his unique skills as a big body blocker who can also make plays.
FUTURE POTENTIAL VS. CURRENT PRODUCTION
Conventional wisdom would say one of the new final roster faces would be in danger. With plenty of good college tape and filmed preseason success, the chances of Smith or Wilson making it through Week Seven waivers to the practice squad are slim.
To replace either with Brown, Dallas would likely lose the up and comer chosen. It would be a naive move if considering the future. Smith is under contract through 2020 and Wilson is locked in through 2021. Even Brown has two seasons remaining.
It’s important to remember both Cobb and Austin are playing on one-year deals and are significantly more expensive than Brown, Smith, and Wilson. Those factors must hold weight in the decision if thinking proactively.
Besides future potential, current season production will hold a lot of water. Smith and Wilson may not get as many chances to shine once the games have meaning. Austin will get plenty of return work and some specialty receiver plays.
HARD CALL WITH LACKING INFORMATION
My gut says Austin would be the one to let go since he’s an impending free agent. Yet as dynamic as he can be when healthy, there’s also a chance he’ll have become significantly valuable to the 2019 season by Week Seven.
If Dallas values Brown as much as it seems, there should be a hard roster decision to make after six games. Smith has likely shown too much to let slip away. Wilson was doing the same before his concussion, and could resume such these last two games.
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It’s a hard call to make with two more exhibition games to go and not knowing Austin’s level of contribution over the first six games. I’d still say the rented veteran, Austin, will be most at risk from the incomplete information currently available.