Late July marks the start of training camp, officially stamping the beginning of a new football season. Roster battles and camp stories are always captivating, and the Cowboys have multiple positions that see players competing for roster spots. And with training camp returning this week, I think it’s a perfect time to look at some returning players in danger of being cut.
Trysten Hill
Trysten Hill was a player the Cowboys had extremely high hopes for when they drafted him in the 2nd round in 2019. Hill is super athletic and talented for a Defensive Tackle, but due to character concerns paired with inconsistent play, Hill has been highly disappointing in 3 years. The DT position is the deepest it’s been in years, but outside Neville Gallimore and Osa Odighizuwa, there will likely be four guys fighting for three spots. Ridgeway and Watkins aren’t locks, but I’m about 90% sure they make the team. Second-year DL Chauncey Golston will also reportedly be used as the 3-tech, similar to the role of Tyron Crawford in previous years.
Tarell Basham
One of the most vital position battles heading into training camp is who will be the starting defensive end opposite of Demarcus Lawerence. We know newly re-upped Dorance Armstrong and second-round pick Sam Williams will be on the team. But recently signed Dante Fowler is a wild card, and although there is a slight chance he gets let go, he will most likely be a rotational DE. The reason for cutting Basham loose is that you already know what he is. He’ll give you three sacks a year and is a solid platoon guy. The bigger problem for Basham is cutting him would offer the Cowboys $1.75 million in cap relief. It’s not crazy, but it’s enough to consider letting go of a fringe roster guy.
Noah Brown
I’ve heard a lot of fans say Noah Brown is a lock, but I heavily disagree. Surprisingly, Noah Brown is the longest-tenured WR on the Cowboys roster at five years, but in this training camp, he will be in a battle to add one more year to that total. The Cowboys’ favorite to be 5th WR is 2nd year 5th round pick Simi Fehoko. But multiple guys like Noah Brown and TJ Vasher are also in the mix. When Brown has gotten time as a WR in games, he’s been pretty uninspiring, and It wouldn’t shock me if the Cowboys decided to go with some fresh blood at the position.
Isreal Mukuamu
Isreal Mukuamu enters camp in a battle with undrafted free agent Markquese Bell for the last safety spot. Mukuamu didn’t play much last year, but his size and ability had fans drooling for what he could potentially be in a Dan Quinn defense. Jayron Kearse’s emergence put a damper on that, and now Mukuamu finds himself battling for a roster spot. The competition Bell and Mukuamu will have is my favorite from training camp. If Both are impressive, the Cowboys may decide to take five safeties this year and keep both.
Rico Dowdle
I have been high on Rico Dowdle, and in the limited opportunities he’s gotten in the preseason, he looked great. The problem with Dowdle is he missed all last year with a hip injury, and this offseason, he had a knee scope he’s still recovering from. The Cowboys might roll with undrafted free agent Malik Davis and Ryan Noll. Noll is more of a question mark, and that might be who we see Dowdle battle with. Nonetheless, Dowdle wasn’t present at OTA’s because of a knee injury so he will have an uphill battle making the team.