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.

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.

Potential battle with Nashon Wright, Israel Mukuamu, and Isaac Taylor-Stuart

Prediction: Cut

2. Malik Davis for RB3 spot

Before the Cowboys even released Ezekiel Elliott fans were calling to see more of Davis in games because he was more effective in the running game than Elliott at times. He showed more burst and playmaking ability behind Tony Pollard, but after the release of Elliott, we’ve heard about Dallas being linked to the top running back in the upcoming draft, Bijan Robinson.

Then, the front office went out and was able to sign veteran running back Ronald Jones II and brought back Rico Dowdle, who the team clearly has a fondness for even though he’s battled injury his first two seasons.

Put all of that together and you can see how Davis could be a player that may be in a battle to keep his spot on the roster … especially if the Cowboys draft a running back early in the draft. If that happens, Davis will be looking to fight off both Dowdle and Jones II or risk being cut or traded. What Davis has going for him in this situation though is his ability to stay healthy against Dowdle and familiarity with the offensive scheme compared to Jones II.

Get your popcorn ready.

Potential battle with Rico Dowdle and Ronald Jones II

Prediction: Safe

3. Josh Ball vs Matt Waletzko

If there is one player that still has me scratching my head about why and how he’s still on the roster, Ball would most definitely be number one on my list. He just doesn’t seem to have developed at all during his time with the Cowboys and has been a liability when they’ve had to put in him the field.

When Ball is tasked with combatting speed or power coming off the edge, he can’t seem to hold his ground and almost always ends up in the lap of Dak Prescott. That’s not a good sign of your potential to stay on a team that is looking to get better along the offensive line.

The Cowboys drafted Matt Waletzko in Round 5 last year, but he went down with a shoulder injury that kept him out all season. Now, Waletzko is back and should be able to beat out Ball and if Dallas has another offensive tackle fall into their laps they might take the bait. Another thing that could be a negative for Ball would be the Cowboys not bringing back offensive line coach Joe Philbin, who seemed to like Ball.

Potential battle with Matt Waletzko and a draft pick

Prediction: Cut

4. Will Grier vs draft pick for QB3

The Cowboys liked Grier enough to keep him around last season, but not enough to have him start over current backup Cooper Rush.

For good reason, when Dak Prescott went down in the first game of the season Rush was able to come in and keep the Cowboys in the NFC East title hunt winning four of the five games he started until Prescott was able to return.

During that time, Grier was relegated to the scout team quarterback. In that role, the former West Virginia star was used to replicate the mobile quarterbacks Dallas would face in an upcoming game.

Now, after hearing owner Jerry Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy discuss drafting a quarterback becoming more of a normal move for this team, Grier’s time with the Cowboys looks like it could be coming to an end if they follow through with that claim. Taking a quarterback in this draft will basically be handing Grier his pink slip.

Potential battle with Cooper Rush and a draft pick

Prediction: Cut

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