Cavanaugh's Dallas Cowboys 53 Man Roster Projection
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Here's my best guess at how the 2015 Dallas Cowboys could shake out when they have to cut down to 53 players. Thanks to Bloggingtheboys.com where I found the 2014 roster on cut down day for comparative purposes.
*Quick notes before we get to it:
1 - Obviously the Cowboys could add guys that other teams cut before the season so these 53 could still not be the guys. I'm looking at you OL and S positions.
2 - Greg Hardy, Rolando McClain and Chaz Green are guys that are going to be coming after suspensions/injuries are behind them so not everyone here is safe all year.
QB - 3 (Kept 3 last year)
Tony Romo
Brandon Weeden
Jameill Showers
Note: If you're going to keep three QB's, I just don't understand keeping a third QB who doesn't contribute to the team in any way. I think the Eagles should keep Tebow, I think the Cowboys should keep Showers. Showers can help on special teams, and I think he actually is better with traits that matter in the NFL than Dustin Vaughan is. Standing in the face of pressure and delivering the ball, decision making, keeping eyes downfield on the move etc.
RB - 3 (Kept 3 last year)
Joseph Randle
Darren McFadden
Lance Dunbar
Note: Randle getting the majority of the carries, but pass protection has to improve if he wants to be an every down back.
FB - 1 (Kept 1 last year)
Tyler Clutts
WR - 5 (Kept 5 last year)
Dez Bryant
Terrance Williams
Cole Beasley
Devin Street
Lucky Whitehead
Note: Lucky's value as a return man puts him on the roster.
TE - 4 (Kept 3 last year)
Jason Witten
Gavin Escobar
James Hanna
Geoff Swaim
Note: I think Swaim is a better receiver than blocker which makes it interesting that they like him so much because Escobar is the same way.
OL - 8 (Kept 9 last year)
Tyron Smith
Doug Free
Ron Leary
Zack Martin
Travis Frederick
La'el Collins
Mackenzy Bernadeau
Darrion Weems
Note: Last year they kept John Wetzel as the ninth guy. He's still here if you're interested in carrying that number again.
DE - 5 (Kept 6 last year)
Demarcus Lawrence
Randy Gregory
Jeremy Mincey
Ryan Russell
Ben Gardner
Note: Lavar Edwards is a name I'd like to keep and considered not carrying the fourth safety or the third quarterback to keep him. I might change my mind tomorrow and keep him and let McCray go.
DT - 5 (Kept 5 last year)
Tyrone Crawford
Nick Hayden
Jack Crawford
Terrell McClain
Davon Coleman
Note: Ken Bishop is the other name on the roster that I'd consider going shorter at another position to keep. In today's model, he's the odd man out.
LB - 6 (Kept 6 last year)
Sean Lee
Damien Wilson
Kyle Wilber
Anthony Hitchens
Jasper Brinkley
Andrew Gachkar
CB - 6 (Kept 4 last year - Scandrick was suspended to start the year)
Brandon Carr
Orlando Scandrick
Mo Claiborne
Byron Jones
Corey White
Tyler Patmon
S - 4 (Kept 5 last year)
Barry Church
JJ Wilcox
Jeff Heath
Danny McCray
Note: Heath and McCray make the team for special teams. Corey White and possibly Byron Jones versatility allows me to drop one of them if I feel better keeping an extra DE/DT/LB on the team.
Specialists - 3 (Kept 3 last year)
Dan Bailey
Chris Jones
LP Ladouceur
That's a total of 53, at least according to my math.
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