Dallas Cowboys veteran might've saved his job despite being expected to be a roster cut, but he has one more hurdle to clear
Every year ahead of NFL free agency, "cap casualties" become a large part of the conversation for every team. These are players who might be good but are potential roster cuts due to their hits to the salary cap. For the Dallas Cowboys, there weren't many clear candidates ahead of this year's free agency frenzy but […]
Every year ahead of NFL free agency, "cap casualties" become a large part of the conversation for every team. These are players who might be good but are potential roster cuts due to their hits to the salary cap.
For the Dallas Cowboys, there weren't many clear candidates ahead of this year's free agency frenzy but one kept being brought up by media members and content creators: Safety Donovan Wilson.
However, over two full weeks into free agency, Wilson is still on the roster and might just have avoided being sent home.
Last month, I wrote about why Wilson was easy to label as a potential cap casualty. In short, Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell were always going to be easy to keep around (they have since been re-signed by the Cowboys) and Wilson's fit on Matt Eberflus' scheme is somewhat questionable:
Under Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer, Wilson was used where he was best: A strong safety with a versatile role yet. Mostly, he played as a strong safety that would lurk into the box. Wilson's top asset was always his versatility. Great at only a few things, but decent to good at most of them. However, he isn't particularly great in coverage, which might hurt him on Eberflus' scheme, which uses plenty of split field, two-high coverages.
The fact that he hasn't been released combined with the team not targeting outside safety additions could mean Eberflus envisions Wilson working out for his defense.
Is Donovan Wilson completely safe?
Wilson is probably going to escape this offseason unscathed but there's one hurdle he still needs to clear: The 2025 NFL Draft.
Though the Cowboys could target a safety in the early rounds, it appears their needs and the talent available could direct them in a different direction. Dallas needs wide receiver and running back help urgently and that's likely the path they will take in the first or second round. But how tempting will Malaki Starks from Georgia be if they are wiped out at No. 12 or if they trade down?
If they took that route, Wilson might wind up as the loser of the numbers game. But right now, his job is looking quite safe despite early offseason concerns.
Releasing Wilson would free up $5.35 million in salary cap space for the Cowboys and $7 million if he's designated as a Post-June 1st cut, though they'd push dead money into 2026. The Cowboys signed Wilson to a three-year, $21 million contract in 2023.
