Cowboys roster projections: A former undrafted free agent could shake up one of the most exciting roster battles of training camp
It's July, and that means later this month, the Dallas Cowboys will report for training camp in Oxnard, California. While we wait, I've been putting together position-by-position roster projections, which will culminate on a full 53-man roster the week of camp. So far, I've done quarterbacks, running backs, and now, we turn to the wide receivers. It […]
It's July, and that means later this month, the Dallas Cowboys will report for training camp in Oxnard, California.
While we wait, I've been putting together position-by-position roster projections, which will culminate on a full 53-man roster the week of camp. So far, I've done quarterbacks, running backs, and now, we turn to the wide receivers.
It will be a fun battle to watch as WR3 is up for grabs and the bottom of the depth chart can be an all-out war.
Every Cowboys wide receiver on the 90-man roster
- CeeDee Lamb
- George Pickens
- Jalen Tolbert
- KaVontae Turpin
- Jonathan Mingo
- Ryan Flournoy
- Parris Campbell
- Jalen Cropper
- Kelvin Harmon
- Traeshon Holden (UDFA rookie)
- Josh Kelly (UDFA rookie)
What we heard from OTAs, minicamp: George Pickens is worth the hype
Yes, I know. It’s practice without pads and it’s crazy to evaluate a player this early in the offseason. But most of the reports pointed to Dak Prescott and Pickens being on the same page consistently. With Pickens, it’s also about the off-field stuff, though.
Despite the baggage he’s bringing from his days with the Pittsburgh Steelers, his early days with Dallas have been going great. Brian Schottenheimer and Prescott have gone out of their way to praise his work ethic. That isn’t to say there is no risk when things go wrong in-season, but Pickens is off to a good start.
53-man roster spotlight: Former UDFA turned heads and might earn a spot on the roster
Though wide receiver was a major need for the Cowboys before trading for Pickens, their depth was always a strength. As a result, there will be tough roster cuts. And a former undrafted free agent might cause some of them.
Jalen Cropper—a third-year player that recently turned 24—earned strong grades from the Cowboys’ early practices, and it isn’t the first time. With a new coaching staff in town, he’s got a chance to capitalize on it.
Cropper has only one career game under his belt. He’ll have to beat some fierce competition to earn a spot, including players with much more experience than him such as Parris Campbell, Jalen Brooks, and even Ryan Flournoy.
“Joe Milton went 8-for-8, including three receptions to WR Jalen Cropper who continues to find ways to get open in the offseason setting,” Nick Harris wrote on X after the first minicamp practice in June.
Final prediction
IN: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Ryan Flournoy
OUT: Jalen Brooks, Kelvin Harmon, Jalen Cropper, Traeshon Holden**, Josh Kelly**, Parris Campbell
It's too early for me to predict Cropper making the roster without seeing how he does in training camp. It just feels like the Cowboys have more proven options and Cropper needs a very strong camp to change things.
That being said, I don't view Flournoy nor Mingo as roster locks.
