Dallas Cowboys

Unsettled Cowboys seek to upgrade these five positions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys will seek to upgrade the roster following Saturday’s final cuts and five positions sit on top of the hit list.

Jun 14, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) runs a drill with Kellen Moore (17) during minicamp at Dallas Cowboys Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday September 3rd, the Dallas Cowboys and 31 other NFL teams will declare their final roster after trimming down to 53 players.

Unlike last Tuesday’s preliminary reduction to 75, the deeper cut to 53 will release a collection of capable players and potential contributors.

For example, Dallas signed back-up quarterback Kellen Moore in 2015 after his release from Detroit during final cuts.

Starting LDE Jack Crawford was a 2014 roster cut casualty in Oakland, while his primary back-up David Irving was released during final cuts in 2015.

With the Cowboys having obtained two of their top three available pass rushers following summer roster cuts, the value is undeniable.

This year will be abnormally favorable for Dallas while holding elite claiming position.

As with the 2016 draft, the Cowboys also sit fourth in line to claim released players.

Upgrading the roster following Saturday’s final cuts will be a top priority in Dallas.

So let’s explore the five most likely positions on the hit list…

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACK

Rookie QB Dak Prescott is the hands-down starter during Tony Romo’s absence.

However, finding a capable veteran back-up remains a massive priority.

Even if Romo and Jameill Showers were the only healthy QB’s on the depth chart, the search for a solid veteran back-up would be every bit as prominent.

Recent Browns casualty Austin Davis worked out for the team yesterday. If Davis is signed it still won’t signal the search is over.

If a much better option were to wiggle free on Saturday, Davis would be swapped out like a stood up prom date.

After using four QB’s in 2015 and losing the top two quarterbacks this month, Dallas will turn over every stone to prepare for any misfortune with Prescott.

Too bad Owner/GM Jerry Jones was stuck in unprofessional, arrogance mode when accomplished veteran Nick Foles shook free just as camp opened.

May 25, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Charles Brown (78) in action against defensive end Benson Mayowa (93) during organized team activities at Dallas Cowboys Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE END

Until suspended sack leader Demarcus Lawrence returns in Week 5, Dallas will make do with four defensive ends who have earned Sunday snaps.

The starting duo seems set with Benson Mayowa (RDE) and Jack Crawford (LDE).

Rookie Charles Tapper (RDE) and David Irving (LDE) will be the rotational players.

All three veterans have shown enough during summer practices and preseason action to warrant confidence in their play.

While Tapper flashed early on in camp, back stiffness wiped away the majority of summer practices and preseason games.

As the only back-up to Mayowa at RDE, it’s reckless not to acquire outside help.

One injury and Dallas would start an undeveloped rookie with a nagging back injury at RDE, or shift another player out of position to get owned by left tackles.

Left defensive end is not a concern as DT Tyrone Crawford could slide out in a pinch.

Yet right defensive end is ill-equipped to produce these first four weeks without living on a hope and prayer nothing happens to Mayowa.

Aug 1, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) at training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKER

Dallas only has one highly competent linebacker available, and Sean Lee is the greatest injury risk on the defense.

Anthony Hitchens and Kyle Wilber are two very average, limited starters.

Aside from Justin Durant, who’s tires may be bald, none of the back-ups can be trusted in crucial defensive situations.

Plain and simple, this unit needs help. A starting middle linebacker would be a monumental find following final cuts.

However, even securing a quality veteran to serve as the first substitute off the bench would help tremendously.

Durant was supposed to be a solid addition as the next man up, and he still may be.

Yet there’s no time left to take chances, a new face should be added this weekend.

Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys free safety J.J. Wilcox (27) looks on after giving up a touchdown to Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (not pictured) during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

SAFETY

When special teams ace Jeff Heath is the third best safety, Dallas scouts better be up at 2am scrutinizing potential cuts at the position.

Aside from Byron Jones, Barry Church, and Jeff Heath, no other Cowboys safety has shown he belongs on an NFL roster.

J.J. Wilcox is a reckless, inconsistent open field tackler with poor deep ball skills.

Rookie Kavon Frazier hasn’t shown much to trump the lackluster play of Wilcox.

It’s a near certainty a safety superior to both will come available on Saturday.

It already happened last Tuesday when veteran Major Wright was cut by Tampa Bay.

In 2011-12, Wright was a dominant strong safety while playing under Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli in Chicago.

Carolina knew his value and signed him yesterday, a day after his release.

Dallas has a critical need to upgrade safety depth, and a better option should arrive.

Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Chaz Green (79) defends against Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cassius Marsh (91) during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

SWING TACKLE

One cannot overstate the importance of a stable swing tackle to an offense.

If either tackle falls to injury, the swing tackle must fill in and stop the bleeding.

Tyron Smith (LT) suffered a neck stinger and missed weeks this August. Doug Free (RT) sat out five games in 2014 due to a foot injury.

The chance of losing a starting tackle for a period of time is very real. Carrying an incompetent swing tackle as insurance is playing Russian roulette.

Relying on a tackle with poor pass blocking is the easiest way to lose your QB.

The Cowboys current swing tackle Chaz Green has improved recently, yet his practice and early preseason performance still hoists red flags.

Green has a chance to solidify trust tonight against the Texans, yet I doubt the Cowboys will ignore a potential upgrade when reviewing Saturday’s cuts.