News: Dallas Cowboys: Breaking down the roster bubble

[CCBoy]

Dallas Cowboys: Breaking down the roster bubble
https://thelandryhat.com/2017/08/24/dallas-cowboys-breaking-roster-bubble/



With nine days remaining until final cuts, most rosters are rapidly approaching the league imposed maximum of 53 players.

Depending on suspensions, the Cowboys have between 48 to 51 eligible players that will sleep easy the night before September 2nd. Which means only two to five spots remain open for the initial 53-man roster.
Damontre Moore and David Irving will be suspended and are excluded from the numbers. However, both will reclaim their spots upon regaining eligibility.

Those two fates are known. Yet the suspension confusion regarding Ezekiel Elliott, Damien Wilson, and Nolan Carroll provides headaches when doing the math. The exact number of spots left for bubble hopefuls is unclear as of today. Let’s take a look at those back-end players who’ve made a case to wear the star...

 

[Stash]

No disagreement with anything presented here.

I had expected Marquez White to make the team as the sixth cornerback, but injuries and Duke Thomas' play will likely push him off of the 53. Hopefully, he makes it to the practice squad, but given the lack of cornerbacks league-wide, I'm not sure.

But I whole-heartedly agree that Rush and Brown have to be kept on the active roster as neither will make it through waivers.

 

[noletime95]

So they are projecting Chaz, Belle and who as the backup OL?

 

[The Quest for Six]

My 53 Man Roster as of now going into dress rehearsal against Raiders

2

Dak Prescott
Cooper Rush

4

Ezekiel Elliot(Suspended 6 games)
Darren McFadden
Alfred Morris
Rod Smith
Keith Smith

4

Jason Witten
James Hanna
Geoff Swaim
Rico Gathers

8

Tyron Smith
Jonathan Cooper
Travis Fredericks
Zack Martin
La'el Collins
Chaz Green
Joe Looney
Bryon Bell(might be replacemed from another teams roster cut)

6

Dez Bryant
Cole Beasley
Terrance Williams
Brice Butler
Ryan Switzer
Noah Brown(NFL measurable's, would be signed by another team)

9

Tyrone Crawford
Maliek Collins
Steven Paea
David Irving(Suspended 4 games)
Demarcus Lawrence
Damontre Moore(Suspended 2 games)
Charles Tapper
Benson Mayola
Taco Charlton
Cedric Thornton
Lewis Neal

6

Sean Lee
Damian Wilson
Anthony Hitchens
Jaylon Smith(IR designate recall, He's just not recovered enough to be major contributor)
Justin Durant
Kyle Wilber
Mark Nzeocha

7

Anthony Brown
Nolan Carroll
Orlando Scandrick
Awuzie Chidobe
Jordan Lewis
Duke Thomas
Marquez White(on roster because of injuries to drafted corners)

4

Byron Jones
Jeff Heath
Xavier Woods
Kavon Fraser

3
L.P laDouceur
Chris Jones
Dan Bailey

 

[DogFace]

My 53 Man Roster as of now going into dress rehearsal against Raiders

2

Dak Prescott
Cooper Rush

4

Ezekiel Elliot(Suspended 6 games)
Darren McFadden
Alfred Morris
Rod Smith
Keith Smith

4

Jason Witten
James Hanna
Geoff Swaim
Rico Gathers

8

Tyron Smith
Jonathan Cooper
Travis Fredericks
Zack Martin
La'el Collins
Chaz Green
Joe Looney
Bryon Bell(might be replacemed from another teams roster cut)

6

Dez Bryant
Cole Beasley
Terrance Williams
Brice Butler
Ryan Switzer
Noah Brown(NFL measurable's, would be signed by another team)

9

Tyrone Crawford
Maliek Collins
Steven Paea
David Irving(Suspended 4 games)
Demarcus Lawrence
Damontre Moore(Suspended 2 games)
Charles Tapper
Benson Mayola
Taco Charlton
Cedric Thornton
Lewis Neal

6

Sean Lee
Damian Wilson
Anthony Hitchens
Jaylon Smith(IR designate recall, He's just not recovered enough to be major contributor)
Justin Durant
Kyle Wilber
Mark Nzeocha

7

Anthony Brown
Nolan Carroll
Orlando Scandrick
Awuzie Chidobe
Jordan Lewis
Duke Thomas
Marquez White(on roster because of injuries to drafted corners)

4

Byron Jones
Jeff Heath
Xavier Woods
Kavon Fraser

3
L.P laDouceur
Chris Jones
Dan Bailey

So who's cut when the 3 (hopefully 2) comeback from suspension?

 

[The Quest for Six]

So who's cut when the 3 (hopefully 2) comeback from suspension?

Right now, that would be White, Fraser, and Morris( When Zeke is back)

 

[Stash]

So they are projecting Chaz, Belle and who as the backup OL?

Looney I believe.

I actually think they keep Cleary over Bell. They likely need a tackle given the Tyron Smith and Chaz Green worries, and Bell hasn't shown me any reason why he should stick around.

 

[Stash]

My 53 Man Roster as of now going into dress rehearsal against Raiders

2

Dak Prescott
Cooper Rush

4

Ezekiel Elliot(Suspended 6 games)
Darren McFadden
Alfred Morris
Rod Smith
Keith Smith

4

Jason Witten
James Hanna
Geoff Swaim
Rico Gathers

8

Tyron Smith
Jonathan Cooper
Travis Fredericks
Zack Martin
La'el Collins
Chaz Green
Joe Looney
Bryon Bell(might be replacemed from another teams roster cut)

6

Dez Bryant
Cole Beasley
Terrance Williams
Brice Butler
Ryan Switzer
Noah Brown(NFL measurable's, would be signed by another team)

9

Tyrone Crawford
Maliek Collins
Steven Paea
David Irving(Suspended 4 games)
Demarcus Lawrence
Damontre Moore(Suspended 2 games)
Charles Tapper
Benson Mayola
Taco Charlton
Cedric Thornton
Lewis Neal

6

Sean Lee
Damian Wilson
Anthony Hitchens
Jaylon Smith(IR designate recall, He's just not recovered enough to be major contributor)
Justin Durant
Kyle Wilber
Mark Nzeocha

7

Anthony Brown
Nolan Carroll
Orlando Scandrick
Awuzie Chidobe
Jordan Lewis
Duke Thomas
Marquez White(on roster because of injuries to drafted corners)

4

Byron Jones
Jeff Heath
Xavier Woods
Kavon Fraser

3
L.P laDouceur
Chris Jones
Dan Bailey

Outside of the Durant/Jaylon Smith IR craziness, this is a very good projection.

Two things. I think Morris is cut or traded when Elliott is not suspended, and I think they keep Cleary over Bell, who hasn't shown me any reason why he would stay.

 

[The Quest for Six]

Outside of the Durant/Jaylon Smith IR craziness, this is a very good projection.

Two things. I think Morris is cut or traded when Elliott is not suspended, and I think they keep Cleary over Bell, who hasn't shown me any reason why he would stay.

Jaylon isn't ready for prime time, his movement is robotic out there, and his lateral movement is lacking, compare his college tape to his game last week, they're not the same player...hopefully he will but he's not ready IMO

I kept Durant only because I think Wilson because the off field incident may be facing some suspension at some point...


I agree with you on Morris, if Zeke wasn't facing a suspension, I think Morris would be traded or cut. and with regards to Bell, I'm not even sure he'll be on the roster after the final cuts because as I mentioned, He might be replaced by some other teams cut and right now he's ahead of Cleary because of his versatility being able to play multiple positions where Cleary cannot but both are bubble players at best..

 

[Stash]

Jaylon isn't ready for prime time, his movement is robotic out there, and his lateral movement is lacking, compare his college tape to his game last week, they're not the same player...hopefully he will but he's not ready IMO

I kept Durant only because I think Wilson because the off field incident may be facing some suspension at some point...

"Ready" or not, he's on this team's 53. Your idea of using IR as a way to get around roster constraints is illegal. It doesn't matter if he's 100% or not. He's healthy enough to practice and play. You can't simply hide him or IR.

I agree with you on Morris, if Zeke wasn't facing a suspension, I think Morris would be traded or cut. and with regards to Bell, I'm not even sure he'll be on the roster after the final cuts because as I mentioned, He might be replaced by some other teams cut and right now he's ahead of Cleary because of his versatility being able to play multiple positions where Cleary cannot but both are bubble players at best..

I haven't seen Bell playing the multiple positions that he's played in the past. To this point, I've seen him play left guard - poorly. And, given Smith and Green's injury issues, I think the team keeps a tackle option over a guard. That's my thinking for Cleary over Bell, along with salary and vet guarantees after week one.

 

[jazzcat22]

Nothing outrageous in the article except he lost me when saying risk of losing a talented player like Darius Jackson. Some still can't let that one go.
Noah Brown is so much better than what Jackson ever could have been.

Cut Moore, keep Brown, simple. But I doubt they cut Moore, just dumb if they keep him.
I can't see them keeping 7 LB's either. If Wilson is suspended at some point, they can aways bring one of the LB's in. just a heavy number to carry in rod's system where they often use 2 LB's on the field.

Can't see them keeping 6 CB's, but they could I guess.

4 TE's, yes I can see that, no way you let Rico go. Witten and Swaim the top 2 TE's, Swaim has improved a lot, and has a chemistry with Dak. So Hanna, how has he done so far. Could he even be traded, then that opens up the roster spot for Brown for sure.

 

[erod]

List looks good.

I think they'll keep Kellen Moore, if nothing else because he's a bright mind for Dak to bounce things off of, but also because I don't think they'd play Rush early in the year if needed. I don't think they keep Marquez White because Byron Jones can play corner in a pinch, and Awuzie can play safety.

I agree Neal is going to make the team, but not Nzeocha. I think they're looking at that waiver wire for a LB, which will be CRAZY with the new cut rules.

 

[jazzcat22]

"Ready" or not, he's on this team's 53. Your idea of using IR as a way to get around roster constraints is illegal. It doesn't matter if he's 100% or not. He's healthy enough to practice and play. You can't simply hide him or IR.




I haven't seen Bell playing the multiple positions that he's played in the past. To this point, I've seen him play left guard - poorly. And, given Smith and Green's injury issues, I think the team keeps a tackle option over a guard. That's my thinking for Cleary over Bell, along with salary and vet guarantees after week one.

Yes, a OT over another OG will be kept.

And speaking of IR...Green is the most likely candidate to be an IR to return guy. I think they can have 2 players listed this year. Or did they change it to they don't have to list any players, but can only activate 2 players at some point if they want to.

 

[Stash]

Yes, a OT over another OG will be kept.

And speaking of IR...Green is the most likely candidate to be an IR to return guy. I think they can have 2 players listed this year. Or did they change it to they don't have to list any players, but can only activate 2 players at some point if they want to.

They can have two, but you can't simply put a guy there to circumvent the 53-man roster limit. The guy has to actually be hurt.

While there's a pretty good chance that it could happen again with Green, you can't put a guy there when he's healthy enough to practice and play.

 

[jazzcat22]

List looks good.

I think they'll keep Kellen Moore, if nothing else because he's a bright mind for Dak to bounce things off of, but also because I don't think they'd play Rush early in the year if needed. I don't think they keep Marquez White because Byron Jones can play corner in a pinch, and Awuzie can play safety.

I agree Neal is going to make the team, but not Nzeocha. I think they're looking at that waiver wire for a LB, which will be CRAZY with the new cut rules.

I been saying since before TC, White will be a PS guy. Wouldn't be surprised of Neal over Nzoecha. Was thinking earlier, with the versatility of Jones and Awuzie, they would go less at DB's than most thing. Therefore, keeping Moore, which I hope not, but also to keep Brown at WR, and a 4th TE in Rico. unless Hanna is released or traded.

 

[jazzcat22]

They can have two, but you can't simply put a guy there to circumvent the 53-man roster limit. The guy has to actually be hurt.

While there's a pretty good chance that it could happen again with Green, you can't put a guy there when he's healthy enough to practice and play.

Right. I was not saying to use to stash a player. But with Green's history he most likely will be injured to be on it...LOL...
But if another player, say has a high ankle sprain, such if T. Crawford isn't ready, he could be a candidate as well. or Lewis if his hammy doesn't heal. something like that.