4 way-too-early Cowboys roster battles to watch in 2023
It’s always a tough time for players that don’t star on NFL teams as the draft approaches, and players on the Dallas Cowboys roster are no exception. Players are about the see younger, faster, and more athletic players being picked to potentially replace them on rosters around the league.
Now, these players have the chance to prove themselves in workouts, training camps, and in the NFL Preseason before the season begins.
We know that the Cowboys are looking for playmakers and difference-makers on both sides of the football, and in doing so could be sealing the fate of these four players on the roster. Players who themselves should already know that their positions on the team aren’t safe based on either their play on the field or lack of general development during their time on this roster.
Here are four such players that could be in this exact position in Dallas.
4 early Cowboys roster battles to watch in 2023
1. Kelvin Joseph for final CB spot
When the Cowboys took Joseph in the second round of the 2021 draft, they thought they found another quality cornerback the same way they were able to get Trevon Diggs in the second round the previous year.
Unfortunately, Joseph went down with a groin injury in his rookie year and missed most of the season. 2022 was supposed to be the year that he was going to step up and take over opposite Diggs. Instead, the Cowboys had to deal with a major off-the-field situation involving Joseph. On the field, he wasn’t much of a help either giving up four touchdown passes, two of which came in the overtime loss to Jacksonville, after Anthony Brown suffered a torn Achilles.
Cowboys DC Dan Quinn said there will be a competition during practice this week for the other starting outside corner spot opposite of Trevon Diggs. Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright are the most likely, but they have added Mackensie Alexander, Kendall Sheffield, Trayvon Mullen
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 19, 2022
Joseph was such a liability in coverage that Dallas signed two veterans late in the season to come in and play instead of him. We know the Cowboys are going to be on the lookout for a cornerback or two in the draft. That means writing is on the wall for Joseph and unless he can have some type of miraculous turnaround, his time in North Texas will be over.