Going back to the Micah Parsons trade a year ago, it's been a fairly transformative year for the Dallas Cowboys. While the big moves are likely behind us, more changes are sure to come in the coming weeks as a new roster is formed for the 2026 season.
With final cuts looming on August 30th, which returning players are dangerously close to not keeping their jobs?
There are several players who were with the team in Week 18 last year but may not be back this season. Two examples are Malik Davis and Alijah Clark, who started the year on the practice squad but eventually got pulled up due to injuries.
For this discussion, we're focusing on players who were on the 53 for the entirety of last season. They made it through last year's camp, but things are looking dicey this time around.
3 incumbent Dallas Cowboys who could be left off the 53-man roster
Jonathan Mingo, WR
For some, Mingo's continued presence is already a surprise. Since Dallas gave up a fourth-round pick to acquire Mingo in November 2024, he's only contributed six catches in 14 games. The No. 39 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Mingo wasn't even able to outclass Jalen Tolbert last year, let alone getting completely leapfrogged by Ryan Flournoy. At this point, the trade was a clear failure.
Still, Dallas hasn't admitted defeat. Few thought Mingo would be retained this offseason, but there was little cap incentive to release him as Carolina had already paid out most of his guaranteed money. In fact, the Cowboys slightly altered Mingo's deal this year to remove an $813,000 bonus, showing how tenuous his situation actually is ahead of training camp.
So far in Oxnard, there's been little talk of Mingo improving his stock. With undrafted rookie Camden Brown arguably the most-hyped WR after the big three, Mingo's hold on his roster spot feels looser than ever.
Dallas essentially advertised that they were ready to move on from him with the contract change, opening the door for any of the young guys to step in. As long as Brown, seventh-round pick Anthony Smith, or someone else can show something, Mingo might be a goner.
Marist Liufau, OLB
Speaking of broadcasted troubles, Liufau's announced move from inside to outside linebacker this offseason felt like the beginning of the end. We just weren't sure how fast that end would come, but it's already becoming clear that Liufau won't be on the 53 at final cuts.
It isn't so much that Liufau has been awful as an edge, but just that the Cowboys have plenty of better options.
We already knew that Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Malachi Lawrence were making the team. Behind them, James Houston and Sam Williams have been the unsurprising leaders for the backup spots. Reports are that Williams has had a very strong summer, which many felt would happen with the move to the 3-4 scheme.
Keeping a sixth OLB seems unlikely, especially given ILB Jaishawn Barham's flexibility and reported intentions to move DeMarvion Overshown around. So unless Liufau is an absolute dynamo on special teams or is seen as a valuable flex option between inside and outside linebacker, a third year with the Cowboys is looking less and less likely.
Caelen Carson, CB
Another third-year prospect like Liufau, Carson has also had a hard time building career momentum due to injuries and an ever-changing defense. Now on his third coordinator in as many seasons, the former fifth-round pick is hoping to finally stay healthy and find stability, rather than get caught up in the sweeping changes.
We already know that Carson is clearly behind DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, and Cobie Durant in the CB pecking order. And with Caleb Downs expected to play the slot, that creates an even smaller opportunity for Carson to get work. He can still stick around as a primary backup for outside CB duties, but it won't come easy.
Dallas still has a lot of other intriguing corners in camp.
The biggest threat to Carson is fourth-round rookie Devin Moore, who was considered a steal in April and would be a pretty shocking cut. Moore is also an outside guy, and at this point is younger than Carson with more perceived upside. If he can earn enough trust for immediate playing time, Carson would quickly become an expendable relic from past regimes.
Among other competitors is veteran free agent Derion Kendrick, who was brought in specifically for slot depth. Reddy Steward, one of the few bright spots from last year's defense, is also in that mix.
Downs is going to have to play some actual safety at times as well this year, so extra slot corners would have value. Then there's Josh Butler, who flashed potential in 2024 before a major knee injury. Throw in big-bodied prospects Trikweze Bridges and Ameer Speed, and there are just too many X-factors to feel overly confident about Carson's chances.
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