Like most NFL teams, the Dallas Cowboys have had no shortage of offseason darlings steal headlines during summer workouts. Many players have parlayed that into a strong preseason to effectively clinch a roster spot.
Tight end John Stephens Jr., defensive lineman Tyrus Wheat and linebacker Buddy Johnson are prime examples of players who shined throughout the 2024 offseason and preseason.
However, there is one Cowboy who has turned heads in summer workouts only to falter in preseason and ultimately fail to make the team: wide receiver Jalen Cropper. Like clockwork, Cropper was back making plays left and right in OTAs and minicamp.
Cowboys WR Jalen Cropper shaping up for another strong training camp
Cowboys fans have seen this movie many times.
Cropper was one of the biggest winners from training camp last summer and emerged as a sleeper pick to make the 53-man roster. That has been the case seemingly ever year since Dallas signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He has inked a reserve/futures contract in each of the last two years, so the team clearly thinks highly of him.
The issue is Cropper has failed to take that momentum into the preseason. Last year, he fumbled a punt against the Raiders that might have bounced into the end zone if he let it go. Looking to make a play, Cropper retreated nearly 20 yards only to field the kick deep in Dallas territory.
RELATED: Cowboys UDFA turning heads with shocking rise into roster battle
The Fresno State product has struggled with drops in the preseason as well. He dropped a Trey Lance pass in that same game vs. Las Vegas that hit him right in the breadbasket.
In six preseason games over two years with the team, Cropper has posted a lowly 0.68 yards per route run and a 39.9 passer rating when targeted, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Who knows? Maybe this is finally the year that Cropper puts it all together. Fans can expect him to impress with the second-team offense in training camp. However, he faces a lot of competition in the WR room, so he cannot afford to stumble in the preseason.
The Cowboys kept six wideouts last year. Assuming CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin and Jonathan Mingo are locks, that leaves Cropper, Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Brooks, Kelvin Harmon and Parris Campbell all competing for one spot.
The margin for error for Cropper is razor thin. If history has taught us anything, it's that he'll give the offensive coaching staff a reason to leave him off the initial 53-man roster.