Dallas Cowboys: 6 final roster cuts that might shock you

Tyrone Crawford, DE

This one is tough to imagine happening as well. Following the exodus of the Cowboys’ sack leader (11.5 sacks), Robert Quinn via free agency, defensive end Tyrone Crawford appears to be the stabilizing force at his position. If the gamble with Aldon Smith doesn’t pay off, the most likely candidate to absorb those snaps is Crawford.

But Crawford will turn 31-years old during this season. And he is coming off double hip surgery after landing on Injured Reserve last October. Crawford is actually starting training camp on the active/PUP list as he works his way back.

Crawford’s massive salary as compared to his play has been an ongoing grievance for Cowboy fans ever since he inked that five-year, $45 million contract extension back in 2015. This offseason, it was reported that the team has no plans to reduce his $9.1 million salary-cap hit.

Regardless, entering his ninth NFL year and following major offseason surgery, Crawford figures to be limited once training camp practices begin. And as the team has stuck with him throughout his contract so far, and considering what he brings to the locker room, his release during final cuts would be shocking.

Yet, this is also a player who is making approximately the same amount as Quinn did last season in Dallas but has never recorded more than 5.5 sacks in a single year. And the new defensive coaching staff could factor into this decision as well.