5 possible cuts the Dallas Cowboys could regret

The Dallas Cowboys will trim down their 90-man roster to just 53 players in the coming days. Here are five possible cuts they could end up regretting.

The Dallas Cowboys face the difficult task of reducing their 90-man roster to just 53 players by this Saturday afternoon. Many of the league required cuts will take place immediately following the Cowboys’ preseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.

There are several promising players who appear to be on the roster bubble in Dallas. Below, we’ve included five potential cuts the Cowboys might regret making if these players are allowed to hit the waiver wire.

Jalen Jelks, DE

The talent at defensive end is massive this year. There are so many promising defenders on the defensive line that Jelks, a drafted rookie that recorded a sack in his preseason debut and four tackles versus the Houston Texans, is now a likely roster cut. There is hope he makes it through waivers and to the practice squad.

It’s not unusual for a seventh-rounder not to make the final-53, but Jelks was touted as a possible instant impact player by DallasCowboys.com’s Nick Eatman early on. If the long-time Cowboys’ staff writer is correct, Dallas might regret putting him on the waiver wire for another team to develop.

Mike Jackson, CB

It seems illogical that the Cowboys would part ways with a fifth-round selection before the regular season has even started. But like the defensive end group, the cornerback position in Dallas is highly-competitive. And I believe most would agree that second-year defensive back Donovan Olumba has outperformed Jackson.

Still, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound corner prospect out of Florida possessed traits the Cowboys coveted to make him one of their two fifth rounders in April. Allowing Jackson to get away could be costly as Dallas has several veteran cornerbacks scheduled to hit free agency within the next two years.

Daniel Wise, DT

The undrafted rookie out of Kansas has shown promise throughout the offseason, training camp, and into the preseason. And that would have probably been enough in most years. Unfortunately, the Cowboys will likely be forced to go heavier at other areas along their final roster with equally intriguing prospects. That leaves a solid prospect with good tape like Wise up for grabs.

Ricky Walker, DT

No one was talking about Walker prior to the start of the preseason. But a breakout performance against the San Francisco 49ers in the Cowboys’ preseason opener made him a hot name to watch. There’s no doubt the undrafted defensive tackle out of Virginia Tech’s momentum has slowed since then, but the 23-year has shown enough to earn consideration elsewhere.

Justin Phillips, LB

The most-talked about linebacker not named Leighton, Jaylon or Sean in the offseason was Luke Gifford, an undrafted rookie out of Nebraska. But a significant ankle injury sidelined Gifford after a terrific showing against the Niners. And it’s been fellow rookie Justin Phillips that has taken his place in the spotlight. Racking up 17 total tackles, a pass defend, and one spectacular interception in three preseason games; the undrafted linebacker out of Oklahoma State deserves to find a place on someone’s final-53.