9/1 Roster vs. 9/9 Roster

Jumbo075

Jumbo075

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There is a long time between the time the Cowboys must submit their first 53-man roster and the time the first game starts. The Cowboys must submit a 53-man roster by 3:00 pm CDT on Saturday, September 1st, but between then and 3:25 pm on Sunday, September 9th, they will undoubtedly make more more changes before starting their first game of the regular season.

Here is their likely 53-man roster on September 1st:

QB (2) - Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush

Mike White has simply not shown enough to justify keeping him on the 53-man roster. While some fans may worry about him being claimed off waivers by another team, the reality is that the QB position is the single most difficult to master, and it is highly unlikely another team claims a rookie QB who would have to learn a completely new offense to keep on their own 53 man roster. Mike White is destined for the Practice Squad. He can still run the scout team during practice each week from that position.​

RB (4) - Ezekiel Elliott, Jamize Olawale, Rod Smith, Bo Scarbrough

The Cowboys thought enough of Darius Jackson to bring him back to the team. And he offers additional value on Special Teams. Jackson has some wiggle in his running style that Jackson and Smith don't have, and I believe he surprises a lot of people by making this team in 2018. The Cowboys will initially waive Jackson, but bring him back after they move Travis Frederick to Injured Reserve on September 2nd.​

TE (4) - Geoff Swaim, Blake Jarwin, Rico Gathers, Dalton Schultz

Rico Gathers is going to surprise some people by making this team. The worst thing Garrett has said about Gathers is he needs to play more. Look for the Cowboys to work Gathers into the Goal Line packages during the regular season. Cutting White at QB is what allows the Cowboys to keep Gathers on the roster. But that still doesn't mean Gathers will be on the game day roster. A trade, or waiver wire claim could displace him.​

WR (6) - Michael Gallup, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns, Tavon Austin, Deonte Thompson

Gallup has won a starting job, while Williams and Beasley return as the starters at the Y and Z positions. Hurns is the backup to Gallup, Thompson backs up Williams, and Austin is the backup to Beasley. Lenoir has done enough to make the team, but needs on the offensive line cause the Cowboys to trade him for Oline help. The Cowboys would also like to keep Noah Brown on the PS. His injury undermined him in this offseason, but they still like his big body and catch radius.​

OL (9) - Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, La'el Collins, Joe Looney, Cameron Fleming, Kadeem Edwards, Brian Schwenke(via trade)

The Cowboys will keep 9 offensive linemen on the roster September 1st. A trade of WR Lance Lenoir to the Patriots in exchange for G/C Brian Schwenke will give the Cowboys a player that can backup all 3 interior line spots. Look for Travis Frederick to be moved to the Reserve/Injured List on September 2nd, but he'll be on the first 53-man roster. The Cowboys hope to bring Frederick back November 7th before the game against the Eagles. Meanwhile, Julian Edelman is serving a 4-game suspension to start the year, and the Patriots need a WR who can be productive while he's gone. A trade of Lenoir for Schwenke makes sense for both teams. The Cowboys finally give up on the Chaz Green experiment - to the relief of many fans.​

DE (5) - DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, Charles Tapper, Taco Charlton, Dorance Armstrong

Kony Ealy hasn't done enough to make the team at DE, and with Crawford moving back inside with the emergence of Gregory as the starting RDE, there is simply not a good reason to keep Ealy. Meanwhile, Tapper could be trade bait. The Cowboys could try to move Ealy in a last minute trade.​

DT (5 + 1) - Tyrone Crawford, Maliek Collins, Antwaun Woods, Brian Price, Datone Jones + David Irving (suspended)

Despite his injury in training camp, the Cowboys like what they have in Datone Jones. With Maliek Collins likely on a pitch count to start the season, the Cowboys will need Jones in the rotation. It's a guess who gets cut when David Irving returns from suspension. Ultimately, the Cowboys would like to have 8 players on the Dline, but they will go long to start the year. Despite his antics, the Cowboys have to hope that David Irving puts his immaturity behind him, and explodes when he returns. A front line of Gregory, Irving, Collins, and Lawrence would terrorize NFL passers for the foreseeable future. And Crawford remains the consummate professional, able to play at all 4 Dline positions when and where needed. For those who follow the Texas Rangers, Crawford reminds us of Michael Young, who played 2nd base, then short stop, and then 3rd base for the Arlington baseball team. Crawford is the utility defensive lineman for the Cowboys. Look for the Cowboys to showcase Jihad Ward in the final two preseason games in hope of finding a trading partner.​

LB (6) - Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, Damien Wilson, Joe Thomas, Leighton Vander Esch, Justin March-Lillard

The Cowboys will hope to stash Chris Covington on the Practice Squad, and perhaps bring him back to the team after post roster moves are made. The Cowboys will continue to train Vander Esch to become the heir apparent signal caller to Sean Lee, but many fans may be disappointed when he doesn't get many, if any, starts in 2018. But Vander Esch will get plenty of snaps as the Cowboys try to implement a 3-man rotation at the WILL and MIKE linebacker spots. Meanwhile, Damien Wilson has had his best ever training camp at the SAM position, and along with Thomas and March-Lillard will be a special teams mainstay.​

CB (5) - Byron Jones, Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Duke Thomas

The competition for the starting slot cornerback job will continue into the season between Brown and Lewis, and is far from settled. It won't be shocking to see them share the starting job in 2018 as they continue to battle. Meanwhile, coach Kris Richard may have found himself another shutdown cornerback by moving Jones back to the cornerback position he was drafted to play. And Awuzie is a breakout player candidate in his own right. Duke Thomas has been the most consistent of the backup cornerbacks, so he gets the nod over Donovan Olumba and Charvarius Ward, who the Cowboys will try to sign to their practice squad.​

S (4) - Jeff Heath, Xavier Woods, Kavon Frazier, Tyree Robinson

Heath is the starting strong safety, and he just keeps getting better. He has sideline to sideline speed, and is going to have a breakout season. Frazier is a special teams standout. Woods will be sidelined the initial game, and the Cowboys will keep Robinson on the roster for the initial game. I still believe the Cowboys are playing chicken with the Seahawks, and that the Earl Thomas trade will ultimately happen in the week leading up to game 1. The Cowboys are going to have to give up more than they want to get Thomas (including DE Charles Tapper), but if they want to actually compete for a championship, they need to swallow the bullet, and make this trade. Even so, the Cowboys will keep Robinson on the roster until Woods is ready to come back, at which time, Robinson will be waived, and signed to the practice Squad.​

Opening Day September 9th roster:

Offense (25)
  • QB (2) - Prescott, Rush
  • RB (5) - Elliott, Olawale, R.Smith, Scarbrough, Jackson
  • TE (4) - Swaim, Jarwin, Gathers, Schultz
  • WR (6) - Gallup, T.Williams, Beasley, Austin, Hurns, Thompson
  • OL (8) - T.Smith, C.Williams, Looney, Z.Martin, L.Collins, Fleming, Edward, Schwenke (via trade)
Defense (25)
  • DE (4) - Lawrence, Gregory, Charlton, Armstrong
  • DT (5) - Crawford, M.Collins, D.Jones, A.Woods, Price
  • LB (6) - Lee, J.Smith, D.Wilson, Vander Esch, J.Thomas, March-Lillard
  • CB (5) - B.Jones, Awuzie, A.Brown, Lewis, D.Thomas
  • S (5) - E.Thomas (via trade), Heath, Woods, Frazier, Robinson
Specialist (3) - Bailey, C.Jones, Ladouceur

Reserve/Suspended (1) - Irving

Reserve/Injured Designated to Return (1) - Frederick

Reserve/Injured (3) - C.Wilson, M.Martin, Showers

Practice Squad (10) - Mi.White, Covington, Olumba, C.Ward, Ohnesorge, Campos, Wells, N.Brown, Ross, Carrington, TBD
 
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Jumbo075 said:
There is a long time between the time the Cowboys must submit their first 53-man roster and the time the first game starts. The Cowboys must submit a 53-man roster by 3:00 pm CDT on Saturday, September 1st, but between then and 3:25 pm on Sunday, September 9th, they will undoubtedly make more more changes before starting their first game of the regular season.

Here is their likely 53-man roster on September 1st:

QB (2) - Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush

Mike White has simply not shown enough to justify keeping him on the 53-man roster. While some fans may worry about him being claimed off waivers by another team, the reality is that the QB position is the single most difficult to master, and it is highly unlikely another team claims a rookie QB who would have to learn a completely new offense to keep on their own 53 man roster. Mike White is destined for the Practice Squad. He can still run the scout team during practice each week from that position.​

RB (4) - Ezekiel Elliott, Jamize Olawale, Rod Smith, Bo Scarbrough

The Cowboys thought enough of Darius Jackson to bring him back to the team. And he offers additional value on Special Teams. Jackson has some wiggle in his running style that Jackson and Smith don't have, and I believe he surprises a lot of people by making this team in 2018. The Cowboys will initially waive Jackson, but bring him back after they move Travis Frederick to Injured Reserve on September 2nd.​

TE (4) - Geoff Swaim, Blake Jarwin, Rico Gathers, Dalton Schultz

Rico Gathers is going to surprise some people by making this team. The worst thing Garrett has said about Gathers is he needs to play more. Look for the Cowboys to work Gathers into the Goal Line packages during the regular season. Cutting White at QB is what allows the Cowboys to keep Gathers on the roster. But that still doesn't mean Gathers will be on the game day roster. A trade, or waiver wire claim could displace him.​

WR (6) - Michael Gallup, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns, Tavon Austin, Deonte Thompson

Gallup has won a starting job, while Williams and Beasley return as the starters at the Y and Z positions. Hurns is the backup to Gallup, Thompson backs up Williams, and Austin is the backup to Beasley. Lenoir has done enough to make the team, but needs on the offensive line cause the Cowboys to trade him for Oline help. The Cowboys would also like to keep Noah Brown on the PS. His injury undermined him in this offseason, but they still like his big body and catch radius.​

OL (9) - Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, La'el Collins, Joe Looney, Cameron Fleming, Kadeem Edwards, Brian Schwenke(via trade)

The Cowboys will keep 9 offensive linemen on the roster September 1st. A trade of WR Lance Lenoir to the Patriots in exchange for G/C Brian Schwenke will give the Cowboys a player that can backup all 3 interior line spots. Look for Travis Frederick to be moved to the Reserve/Injured List on September 2nd, but he'll be on the first 53-man roster. The Cowboys hope to bring Frederick back November 7th before the game against the Eagles. Meanwhile, Julian Edelman is serving a 4-game suspension to start the year, and the Patriots need a WR who can be productive while he's gone. A trade of Lenoir for Schwenke makes sense for both teams. The Cowboys finally give up on the Chaz Green experiment - to the relief of many fans.​

DE (5) - DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, Charles Tapper, Taco Charlton, Dorance Armstrong

Kony Ealy hasn't done enough to make the team at DE, and with Crawford moving back inside with the emergence of Gregory as the starting RDE, there is simply not a good reason to keep Ealy. Meanwhile, Tapper could be trade bait. The Cowboys could try to move Ealy in a last minute trade.​

DT (5 + 1) - Tyrone Crawford, Maliek Collins, Antwaun Woods, Brian Price, Datone Jones + David Irving (suspended)

Despite his injury in training camp, the Cowboys like what they have in Datone Jones. With Maliek Collins likely on a pitch count to start the season, the Cowboys will need Jones in the rotation. It's a guess who gets cut when David Irving returns from suspension. Ultimately, the Cowboys would like to have 8 players on the Dline, but they will go long to start the year. Despite his antics, the Cowboys have to hope that David Irving puts his immaturity behind him, and explodes when he returns. A front line of Gregory, Irving, Collins, and Lawrence would terrorize NFL passers for the foreseeable future. And Crawford remains the consummate professional, able to play at all 4 Dline positions when and where needed. For those who follow the Texas Rangers, Crawford reminds us of Michael Young, who played 2nd base, then short stop, and then 3rd base for the Arlington baseball team. Crawford is the utility defensive lineman for the Cowboys. Look for the Cowboys to showcase Jihad Ward in the final two preseason games in hope of finding a trading partner.​

LB (6) - Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, Damien Wilson, Joe Thomas, Leighton Vander Esch, Justin March-Lillard

The Cowboys will hope to stash Chris Covington on the Practice Squad, and perhaps bring him back to the team after post roster moves are made. The Cowboys will continue to train Vander Esch to become the heir apparent signal caller to Sean Lee, but many fans may be disappointed when he doesn't get many, if any, starts in 2018. But Vander Esch will get plenty of snaps as the Cowboys try to implement a 3-man rotation at the WILL and MIKE linebacker spots. Meanwhile, Damien Wilson has had his best ever training camp at the SAM position, and along with Thomas and March-Lillard will be a special teams mainstay.​

CB (5) - Byron Jones, Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Duke Thomas

The competition for the starting slot cornerback job will continue into the season between Brown and Lewis, and is far from settled. It won't be shocking to see them share the starting job in 2018 as they continue to battle. Meanwhile, coach Kris Richard may have found himself another shutdown cornerback by moving Jones back to the cornerback position he was drafted to play. And Awuzie is a breakout player candidate in his own right. Duke Thomas has been the most consistent of the backup cornerbacks, so he gets the nod over Donovan Olumba and Charvarius Ward, who the Cowboys will try to sign to their practice squad.​

S (4) - Jeff Heath, Xavier Woods, Kavon Frazier, Tyree Robinson

Heath is the starting strong safety, and he just keeps getting better. He has sideline to sideline speed, and is going to have a breakout season. Frazier is a special teams standout. Woods will be sidelined the initial game, and the Cowboys will keep Robinson on the roster for the initial game. I still believe the Cowboys are playing chicken with the Seahawks, and that the Earl Thomas trade will ultimately happen in the week leading up to game 1. The Cowboys are going to have to give up more than they want to get Thomas (including DE Charles Tapper), but if they want to actually compete for a championship, they need to swallow the bullet, and make this trade. Even so, the Cowboys will keep Robinson on the roster until Woods is ready to come back, at which time, Robinson will be waived, and signed to the practice Squad.​

Opening Day September 9th roster:

Offense (25)
  • QB (2) - Prescott, Rush
  • RB (5) - Elliott, Olawale, R.Smith, Scarbrough, Jackson
  • TE (4) - Swaim, Jarwin, Gathers, Schultz
  • WR (6) - Gallup, T.Williams, Beasley, Austin, Hurns, Thompson
  • OL (8) - T.Smith, C.Williams, Looney, Z.Martin, L.Collins, Fleming, Edward, Schwenke (via trade)
Defense (25)
  • DE (4) - Lawrence, Gregory, Charlton, Armstrong
  • DT (5) - Crawford, M.Collins, D.Jones, A.Woods, Price
  • LB (6) - Lee, J.Smith, D.Wilson, Vander Esch, J.Thomas, March-Lillard
  • CB (5) - B.Jones, Awuzie, A.Brown, Lewis, D.Thomas
  • S (5) - E.Thomas (via trade), Heath, Woods, Frazier, Robinson
Specialist (3) - Bailey, C.Jones, Ladouceur

Reserve/Suspended (1) - Irving

Reserve/Injured Designated to Return (1) - Frederick

Reserve/Injured (3) - C.Wilson, M.Martin, Showers

Practice Squad (10) - Mi.White, Covington, Olumba, C.Ward, Ohnesorge, Campos, Wells, N.Brown, Ross, Carrington, TBD
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Good write up but Mike White will be on the 53 for sure.
 
All sound logic. Are the a Patriots heavy enough on o line to do that?
 
I can't see them keeping both Bo and Darius.
Brown may go to IR, unless they keep 7 WR's the 1st week, then make some moves after that.
I think they only go 9 at DB, as there is barely 7 or 8 quality DB's for the roster.

But really can't argue against it either.
 
Gotta keep Darius over BO just for spring value alone. Neither have earned the right to take carries from Zeke or Smith yet. At least Darius would make the game day roster on ST and of course provide insurance with fresh legs should injury occur.
 
erod said:
All sound logic. Are the a Patriots heavy enough on o line to do that?
Click to expand...

If you look at the depth chart for the Patriots, Schwenke is running 4th string at Guard, and isn't even listed at Center - even though he started 30 games for the Titans at Center. He's a veteran minimum player and would only count $630K against the Cowboys roster. The Cowboys have too many receivers, and while they might be able to sign Schwenke after the cuts, trading for him saves them a signing bonus, and gives Lenoir a chance to shine with the Patriots. The Patriots may prefer Lenoir over the more costly contract of Eric Decker, who is on the bubble in Boston.

Patriots Depth Chart: https://www.patriots.com/team/depth-chart

It also would not shock me if the Cowboys signed another Guard to replace Kadeem Edwards. If the Eagles cut Chance Warmack, the Cowboys could reunite the two former Titans, Schwenke and Warmack as reserves for the Cowboys. Both were drafted in 2013 - Warmack a top ten pick at Guard and Schwenke was the 2nd Center off the Board in that draft.

It's more than a little ironic that of the 8 offensive Linemen drafted ahead of Travis Frederick in 2013, 5 of them are no longer playing for the teams that drafted them.

#1 - OT Eric Fisher - Left Tackle for Chiefs - no Pro Bowls are All-Pro selections
#2 - OT Luke Joeckel - signed with Seahawks in 2017, currently unsigned free agent
#4 - OT Lane Johnson - Right Tackle for Eagles - 1x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
#6 - OG Jonathan Cooper - Played for Cardinals, Patriots, Browns, & Cowboys. Curretly with 5th NFL team, the 49ers
#10 - OG Chance Warmack - struggling to make team with Eagles, his 2nd team
#11 - D.J. Fluker - currently attempting to make team with Seahawks, his 3rd team
#19 - OG Justin Pugh - moved to OG after failing at RT for Giants. Signed FA deal with Cardinals, his 2nd team.
#20 - OG Kyle Long - Right Guard for Bears - 3x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
#31 - C Travis Frederick - Center for Cowboys - 4x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro
 
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Jumbo075 said:
If you look at the depth chart for the Patriots, Schwenke is running 4th string at Guard, and isn't even listed at Center - even though he started 30 games for the Titans at Center. He's a veteran minimum player and would only count $630K against the Cowboys roster. The Cowboys have too many receivers, and while they might be able to sign Schwenke after the cuts, trading for him saves them a signing bonus, and gives Lenoir a chance to shine with the Patriots. The Patriots may prefer Lenoir over the more costly contract of Eric Decker, who is on the bubble in Boston.

Patriots Depth Chart: https://www.patriots.com/team/depth-chart

It also would not shock me if the Cowboys signed another Guard to replace Kadeem Edwards. If the Eagles cut Chance Warmack, the Cowboys could reunite the two former Titans, Schwenke and Warmack as reserves for the Cowboys. Both were drafted in 2013 - Warmack a top ten pick at Guard and Schwenke was the 2nd Center off the Board in that draft.
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Knowing the Pats, they will keep Decker as their WR2 after WR1 Chris Hogan (Edelman is WR3). Decker's route running and smarts are elite, and his athleticism is average to below average -- making him a Brady friendly receiver.
 
Excellent analysis, partner. I can see your scenarios playing out, except I don't think we'll try to get White on the PS. Since they got burned trying that with Moore, they've been shy about taking that gamble with young QBs with potential.
 
RodeoJake said:
Excellent analysis, partner. I can see your scenarios playing out, except I don't think we'll try to get White on the PS. Since they got burned trying that with Moore, they've been shy about taking that gamble with young QBs with potential.
Click to expand...

Matt Moore was head and shoulders better than White has been in their respective rookie pre-season games and training camps. Cooper Rush last year is a more accurate comparison to Matt Moore in 2007 than Mike White has been. Rush would not have made it to the PS last year. White will easily make it through waivers to the Cowboys PS this year. There is really no good comparison between them that would lead anyone into believing White has what it takes to be a long-term backup in the NFL, much less a starter.
 
jazzcat22 said:
I can't see them keeping both Bo and Darius.
Click to expand...

charron said:
Gotta keep Darius over BO just for spring value alone.
Click to expand...
I'm not married to keeping a third running back.

A reason can be made to go long at almost every position this year, so those extra spots have to come from somewhere.

Jamize Olawale can play HB in an emergency and Tavon Austin can get some looks as a change of pace back.

I don't have a problem with keeping a third back, but it will cost you a player somewhere else.

Kevinicus said:
Travis will go to NFI not IR (and you don't have to make a designation for return ahead of time).
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NFI and PUP must be designated at the start of training camp with the player being unable to pass his entry physical.

Hundreds of players would suddenly develop mystery injuries if NFI and PUP were options during training camp. It's been happening for years with IR.

Travis Frederick passed his physical and practiced, the only options are to keep him on the 53 until healthy or move him to Injured Reserve the day after the initial roster is set. Players do not need to be designated to return from IR beforehand, teams can simply elect to bring two players back after they have been on the inactive list for at least eight weeks. To qualify for IR, a player must have a serious injury that will sideline him for at least six weeks.
 
Jumbo075 said:
Matt Moore was head and shoulders better than White has been in their respective rookie pre-season games and training camps.
Click to expand...
None of us know what the team truly thinks about these bubble players.

Matt Moore was an undrafted QB, but it was a mistake to try to slide him through waivers to become practice squad eligible.

Dallas thought highly enough of Mike White to spend a fifth round selection on the passer, which automatically increases his odds of making the cut. I'm not concerned about what a developmental rookie QB looks like in practices or pre-season games, some of these suckers have never taken a snap from under center in their lives until arriving in the NFL!

Reports indicate White seems to be improving on the field, but what's he like in the meeting room and off the field? Is he a 'football guy?' Is he smart? Does he understand the concepts and improve when told to do something differently? Do the players respond to him?

The team doesn't have to keep 3 quarterbacks, but they selected White, so the intention was to likely do so.
 
This year will be different as far as cutting players, every team will be going from 90 to 53 at the same time. It will be difficult to claim players like in the past with so many of them being cut. Expect to see the veteran players who are not going to make the team to be cut before the last game. Teams don't want them to all of a sudden come up with an injury in the last game forcing the team to put them on IR and pay them for the full season.
 
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