The Dallas Cowboys are hoping to put the finishing touches on their roster in the 2023 NFL Draft. If the team drafts like it did last year when they netted five impact players, including first round gem Tyler Smith, this already-loaded roster will be considered among the best in the league.
Of course, adding more talent to the roster is bad news for players who entered the offseason on the proverbial hot seat.
The Cowboys are allowed to carry 90 players on the roster through training camp, but it wouldn't be shocking if one of these players got the axe post-draft, whether it be due to poor performance or salary cap purposes, or both.
4 Cowboys who could get cut after the 2023 NFL Draft
4. Josh Ball, OT
Cutting offensive linemen is a tricky game given the turnover the unit experiences each season due to injuries, but Ball has done little to warrant keeping his spot on the team. In fact, Ball had a prime chance last year to announce himself as Dallas' swing tackle, but he blew it with a shoddy preseason showing.
Playing against backups, Ball looked out of his depth at right tackle. Following Tyron Smith's torn hamstring, the Cowboys felt they couldn't trust the 2021 fourth-round pick and quickly pivoted to a 40-year-old Jason Peters.
Peters admittedly was a great pickup, but it further underlined Ball's murky future with the organization. With Peters out the door, the Cowboys signed Chuma Edoga, who has experience at tackle and guard, for added depth.
If Dallas is serious about converting Terence Steele to a swing tackle -- we'll believe it when we see it -- or simply drafts a Steve Avila or another linemen before Day 3 -- Ball will officially be on the chopping block.
3. Kelvin Joseph, CB
Joseph got a chance to shine following Anthony Brown's season-ending Achilles injury. Sadly, the 2021 second-round pick didn't come through and his spot on next season's 53-man roster is anything but secure.
Cowboys fans have one lasting memory of Joseph from the 2022 season: his heinous performance in the overtime loss vs the Jaguars. Joseph was beat twice for touchdowns amid Jacksonville's second-half comeback.
For the season, Joseph allowed 12 catches on 18 targets for 228 yards -- a whopping 19.0 yards per reception -- and four touchdowns. He had just as many penalties as pass breakups (two) and quarterbacks boasted a 149.3 passer rating when targeting him, equating to a 44.2 coverage grade from PFF.
Out of the rotation at CB for most of the season, Dallas experimented with Joseph as as special teams gunner. While he made some splash plays, he committed a bevy of penalties that indicated he isn't cut out for that role, either.c
Don't be shocked if the Cowboys cut their losses with Joseph if they land a cornerback with one of their first three draft choices.
2. Neville Gallimore, DT
Cutting a player at arguably the weakest position on the roster might get some pushback, but it's worth pondering what value Gaillmore brings to the Cowboys at this point.
A third-round pick in the 2020 draft, Gallimore's career trajectory has nosedived since a promising rookie campaign. His performance left fans hopeful of a 2021 breakout, but an elbow injury ended his season after five games.
From there, Gallimore never got off the ground. He started one game last season and ended up buried behind Osa Odighizuwa, Carlos Watkins, mid-season pickup Johnathan Hankins, Quinton Bohanna and Chauncey Golston in the DL pecking order.
The writing seemingly is on the wall with Gallimore after he was made a healthy scratch in Dallas' Wild Card win over the Buccaneers. Assuming the Cowboys target a DT early, Gallimore will be fighting for his job this offseason.
1. Jourdan Lewis, CB
Lewis is without question the biggest name included here. We hate to say anyone's job is in jeopardy depending on what happens in the draft, but Lewis would become expendable if the Cowboys target a cornerback early.
That probably isn't a bad idea given the outlook of the position beyond 2023. Trevon Diggs presumably will get extended, but he's entering the final year of his rookie contract, and Stephon Gilmore is a pending free agent and seemingly was brought in as a one-year rental.
You might be wondering why Dallas would cut an underrated veteran contributor if there's so little clarity at his position. That's a fair rebuttal, but Lewis is coming off a season-ending foot injury and the Cowboys quietly will be up against the cap once they sign their draft class.
With one year left on his deal, Lewis has no guaranteed money left. By designating him as a post-June 1 cut, Dallas would save $4.705 million on the cap with a palatable $1.116 million dead cap charge.
A foursome of Diggs, Gilmore DaRon Bland and a potential high draft pick would give Dallas a worthwhile reason to release Lewis.