Cowboys Rumors: Dallas expected to gash 2021 draft class before 53-man roster deadline

The Dallas Cowboys wrapped up preseason Saturday night, which means we've reached the nitty gritty of the roster cutdown madness. By Tuesday at 3 p.m. EST, the Cowboys will have submitted their 53-man roster.

As always, there will be some stunning omissions and one Cowboys insider hinted at two likely surprises after Saturday's win against the Raiders.

Per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, cornerback Kelvin Joseph and linebacker Jabril Cox are expected to be waived by Tuesday if the Cowboys are unable to find a trade partner for either player.

That's an interesting tidbit. Assuming Dallas is already working the phones for a potential trade, Joseph and Cox could be two of the final cuts.

Cowboys Rumors: Kelvin Joseph, Jabril Cox expected to be left off 53-man roster

What's interesting is that the Cowboys could further gash their 2021 draft class by Tuesday's deadline.

Not only are Joseph and Cox on the chopping block, but Gehlken believes guard Josh Ball, who's undergoing an MRI for a hip injury suffered vs the Raiders, could also get waived if Dallas doesn't place him on injured reserve.

Additionally, wideout Simi Fehoko, DL Quinton Bohanna and OL Matt Farniok -- all of whom were selected in the 2021 draft -- are leaning toward getting released as the deadline approaches. Of the players the Cowboys selected between rounds 4-7 that year, only safety Israel Mukuamu's spot appears safe.

This isn't earth-shattering by any stretch, but the Cowboys are typically reluctant to waive homegrown talent. If Gehlken's intel is accurate (which it usually is), Dallas could part with as many as five picks from the 2021 draft.

Joseph and Cox are the big surprises, especially Joseph, who had seemingly played well in preseason to stick around in 2023.

Per Pro Football Focus, Joseph allowed 24 yards on nine targets in preseason. He's looked markedly more comfortable in the slot and has done well on special teams. The Cowboys are deep at corner, but there's questions about who'll fit in behind Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmore, and DaRon Bland.

It stands to reason that 2023 sixth-round pick Eric Scott Jr. will make the team. Is Nahshon Wright's spot safe now even though an ankle injury kept him out of preseason, or will Dallas keep an extra safety -- perhaps Juanyeh Thomas -- to help fill the void at linebacker after DeMarvion Overshown's season-ending injury?

Anything is possible, but Cox clearly hasn't earned the trust of the coaching staff. That might have something to do with the emergence of Devin Harper, who delivered another strong performance at linebacker against the Raiders and is much more adept on special teams relative to Cox.

In any event, it's shaping up to be a chaotic 48 hours before the roster deadline. By Tuesday afternoon, it's possible only four of the 11 players selected in the 2021 draft will still be on the Cowboys roster.

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