The Dallas Cowboys face some tough calls as they approach the roster cutdown deadline. The team has made moves to improve since last season, with a sensible shopping spree in free agency and a retooled defence. Las Vegas seems to have noticed, with odds placing the Cowboys on the cusp of returning to the postseason at over/under 9.5 wins this season.
The cutdown deadline has reportedly been moved up to Sunday, August 30th. This gives coaches less time to make hard decisions.
Potential Surprise Cuts
The Cowboys may make some surprise roster cuts. It’s hard to satisfy everyone with the team’s decisions when it comes to trimming the roster after the preseason, and cuts tend to cause a stir. Here are three stunning cuts that could happen, although it is not suggested all three will.
Dee Winters’ Roster Spot Under Threat
Cutting Dee Winters before the opener would leave some people taken aback. The Cowboys made a draft-day trade for the productive inside linebacker. One reason for this move would be the Cowboys’ satisfaction with DeMarvion Overshown and Jaishawn Barham in the middle of their defence. It could also mean that Shemar James and Justin Barron have made significant strides in their second years. If Dallas were to cut Winters, it would save nearly $4M in cap space and carry zero dead cap charge.
Wide Receiver Logjam Could Force Difficult Choice
Another shocker would be a cut at wide receiver, although the savings aren’t that much. If a player is designated a post-June 1st cut, it would save the Cowboys $3.4M. At the top of the depth chart you have George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. After them, Ryan Flournoy, and then a host of young guys and veterans.
The Cowboys retained two of their most important scoring weapons in Brandon Aubrey and George Pickens.