Dallas Cowboys: 6 final roster cuts that might shock you

Aldon Smith, DE

If the hype is to be believed, Aldon Smith will make Cowboy fans forget the name Robert Quinn, last year’s sack leader. Instead, the former All-Pro’s expected resurgence might even threaten his monster 19.5 sack season he had for the San Francisco 49ers all the way back in 2012.

But the truth is Smith has been out of football since 2015. And while he may be in top-flight physical condition, nothing replaces playing in actual NFL games. The Cowboys’ coaching staff knows this. And without a preseason to help Smith adjust back to the pro game, they’ll likely limit his snaps early to help him acclimate.

But after such a long layoff, there’s a chance Smith is only a shell of his former self. If so, the team could decide that they need to use that roster spot on a player with more upside like undrafted rookie defensive end Ron’Dell Carter or Ladarius Hamilton.

Turning 31-years old during this season, no one really knows what to expect from Aldon Smith after more than four years out of football. There’s certainly hope Smith will emerge as the Cowboys’ most dominant pass rusher in 2020. But, although it’s hard to imagine now, there’s also a chance he underwhelms during training camp practices so much that the team simply chooses to cut their losses. And that would be a shocker.