Bubble Players

[Bobhaze]

Its was a fairly large draft haul this year with 9 players drafted and 17 undrafted free agents signed, totaling 26 rookies added to the roster for training camp. Several key veterans have left the team, including Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, and Orlando Scandrick. Whatever happens to cut the roster down to 53, the 2018 Cowboys will have be a very different looking roster than 2017.

Obviously, many of the 26 rookies won’t make the final roster, but there will likely be at least 3-4 that either start at some point this year or will be immediate impact players. Clearly, LVE and Connor Williams will probably be day one starters, with Gallup and Schultz also likely to compete for major playing time. From there, who knows?

But my question is this- Who are the players going into TC (both rookies and veterans) who have a lot to prove in order to make this team? I will divide these bubble players into 3 groups: Dead Men walking, Better show something, pretty safe. All on these lists are considered “on the bubble” to make this team.

Dead Men Walking (almost certainly goners)
Chaz Green T (should have been cut at halftime in Atlanta)
Jameil Showers S? (how many positions are they going try with him?)
Most of the 17 UFAs that are mostly camp bodies (1-2 may make it)

Better show something (have a chance but better look good quickly)
Lewis Neal and Jamize Olawale- FBs- only one will survive TC
Charles Tapper- DE-he’s been hurt a lot which eventually takes away your value. If he can’t get healthy...
Joe Thomas, LB- a ST guy.
Rico Gathers- TE despite the fan drool, he’s not really done much. Time to prove he’s a FB player or adios!
Noah Brown- WR- he has lots of upside, but this is a crowded position so he better have a good camp.
Marques White- CB- may be pushed in camp to show he’s still worth keeping.
Jihad Ward- DT- the Switzer trade acquisition who hasn’t shown much in his career so far. (Kinda like Switzer, lol)

Probably safe (but a bad camp could hurt)
Cooper Rush and Mike White-QBs vying to be backups. Team may keep both.
Kony Ealy DE- offseason FA who should be a decent rotation player...should be.
Deonte Thompson- WR- another FA signing this offseason who is not a world beater, but should make the “committee” because of speed.
Bo Scarborough- RB- he better prove he can play STs or he may be a practice squad guy. He could also be a solid RB backup.

Anyway, this is all subjective of course. Any players you want to add or take off these lists?

 

[northerncowboynation]

I'm hoping Gallup shows and T Will moves to that list. It won't happen this year for practicality reasons but I'd like to see him bumped down the depth chart in 2018. Other than that, I think you covered it Bob

 

[northerncowboynation]

I'd add Datone Jones to the show something list

 

[glimmerman]

Any player going out for DT has a legit shot if they make some plays in TC. Osbourne that means you.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Lewis Neal was moved back to DT. Olawale is our only FB. WE traded for him as well. I'd be shocked if he isn't a lock.

 

[UncleOscar]

Any player we spent a draft pick on going into his third year that has not yet put it all together because of injuries, lack of experience, and this includes the ones that had brief flashes.

Collins I'm tired of his injuries and now another broken foot. Tapper I'm tired of injuries and talk of potential. Gathers I'm tired of the talk of potential. Kevon Frazier is another.

What other turd year players am I missing?

 

[links18]

Lewis Neal was moved back to DT. Olawale is our only FB. WE traded for him as well. I'd be shocked if he isn't a lock.

Olawale isn't going anywhere.

 

[Bobhaze]

Any player we spent a draft pick on going into his third year that has not yet put it all together because of injuries, lack of experience, and this includes the ones that had brief flashes.

Collins I'm tired of his injuries and now another broken foot. Tapper I'm tired of injuries and talk of potential. Gathers I'm tired of the talk of potential. Kevon Frazier is another.

What other turd year players am I missing?

I’ve always liked the quote from the late great Darrell Royal about “Potential”. He always said, “Potential just means you ain’t done it yet”.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Joe Thomas is very safe.

Ash is a dead man walking.

Deonte Thompson is likely gone unless none of the young guys show up.

Ward or Neal are likely gone.

Ealy or Tapper are gone depending on who wins TC battle

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Marcus Martin or Chaz are gone depending on TC

 

[Bobhaze]

Marcus Martin or Chaz are gone depending on TC

Is our backup OL situation so bad that Chaz Green couldn’t have been cut in the offseason? With the addition of Cam Fleming and Connor Williams, why is Green still on the roster?

 

[erod]

I think Joe Thomas is safe. He's a pretty good player at a position of great need.

 

[McKDaddy]

for what its worth, Chat sports did an interesting review of Rico that i watched last night. I know you can't hold onto a guy forever but when you put the investment into a guy you knew was as much a project as him it sure seems like you have to try & get some return on investment ...

 

[Verdict]

Its was a fairly large draft haul this year with 9 players drafted and 17 undrafted free agents signed, totaling 26 rookies added to the roster for training camp. Several key veterans have left the team, including Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, and Orlando Scandrick. Whatever happens to cut the roster down to 53, the 2018 Cowboys will have be a very different looking roster than 2017.

Obviously, many of the 26 rookies won’t make the final roster, but there will likely be at least 3-4 that either start at some point this year or will be immediate impact players. Clearly, LVE and Connor Williams will probably be day one starters, with Gallup and Schultz also likely to compete for major playing time. From there, who knows?

But my question is this- Who are the players going into TC (both rookies and veterans) who have a lot to prove in order to make this team? I will divide these bubble players into 3 groups: Dead Men walking, Better show something, pretty safe. All on these lists are considered “on the bubble” to make this team.

Dead Men Walking (almost certainly goners)
Chaz Green T (should have been cut at halftime in Atlanta)
Jameil Showers S? (how many positions are they going try with him?)
Most of the 17 UFAs that are mostly camp bodies (1-2 may make it)

Better show something (have a chance but better look good quickly)
Lewis Neal and Jamize Olawale- FBs- only one will survive TC
Charles Tapper- DE-he’s been hurt a lot which eventually takes away your value. If he can’t get healthy...
Joe Thomas, LB- a ST guy.
Rico Gathers- TE despite the fan drool, he’s not really done much. Time to prove he’s a FB player or adios!
Noah Brown- WR- he has lots of upside, but this is a crowded position so he better have a good camp.
Marques White- CB- may be pushed in camp to show he’s still worth keeping.
Jihad Ward- DT- the Switzer trade acquisition who hasn’t shown much in his career so far. (Kinda like Switzer, lol)

Probably safe (but a bad camp could hurt)
Cooper Rush and Mike White-QBs vying to be backups. Team may keep both.
Kony Ealy DE- offseason FA who should be a decent rotation player...should be.
Deonte Thompson- WR- another FA signing this offseason who is not a world beater, but should make the “committee” because of speed.
Bo Scarborough- RB- he better prove he can play STs or he may be a practice squad guy. He could also be a solid RB backup.

Anyway, this is all subjective of course. Any players you want to add or take off these lists?

Kony Ealy is just like throwing a dart at a dartboard. If he hits fine. If he misses that's fine too.

I don't think his roster spot is anywhere near a lock. I would say his chances of being cut based on prior history is about 70 percent or more, depending on injuries to other players.

 

[Verdict]

Is our backup OL situation so bad that Chaz Green couldn’t have been cut in the offseason? With the addition of Cam Fleming and Connor Williams, why is Green still on the roster?

Because you don't play a card until you have to strategically and he isn't costing us anything at all right now.

 

[Verdict]

Joe Thomas is very safe.

Ash is a dead man walking.

Deonte Thompson is likely gone unless none of the young guys show up.

Ward or Neal are likely gone.

Ealy or Tapper are gone depending on who wins TC battle

I think in Thompson has a better than 50 percent chance of sticking around because of his speed and his intended use.

 

[Bobhaze]

Because you don't play a card until you have to strategically and he isn't costing us anything at all right now.

You could argue he single handedly cost us the 2017 season with his disaster in the Atl game.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Is our backup OL situation so bad that Chaz Green couldn’t have been cut in the offseason? With the addition of Cam Fleming and Connor Williams, why is Green still on the roster?

I'm not going to defend Chaz, last year was about as bad of a performance as I've seen from a player.

Fact is we keep 8 on the 53 and 7 of those are set in stone I believe in Smith, Williams, Frederick, Martin, La'el, Fleming, and Looney. That 3rd depth spot is up for grabs and the team likes Chaz still. Chaz brings position flex(not high level) which the team likes.

We'll see what happens. Maybe a UDFA leaps into the mix.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

I think in Thompson has a better than 50 percent chance of sticking around because of his speed and his intended use.

We'll see. We as posters overrate 40 speed.

Also the FO doesnt care all that much for it given their draft history with WRs.

So between that, his one year minimal deal, we gaining a comp pick if we cut him, and that he plays at a very crowded position I'd say 50% is optimistic but who knows.

 

[McKDaddy]

Noah Brown - I think our receiving core just has too much talent (that meshes with new philosophy). Plus the change in philosophy does no favors for his size\skillset. Not that he is bad .... but not sure he can make the team.