The Dallas Cowboys will have some difficult decisions to make soon as final roster cuts approach, which means they’ll have to say goodbye to some of our fan favorites this year. There’s just no way to fit everyone, but who stays and who goes is heavily debated throughout August. With several players still having a chance, we wanted to go through some of the top bubble guys and discuss how they got here and what they’ve done to put themselves in the running.
Camden Brown
An undrafted free agent from Georgia Southern,
Brown didn’t make noise until his final year in college after spending his first three years at Auburn buried on the depth chart. A 65-catch, 1,079-yard season wasn’t enough to get drafted, but he’s taken full advantage of his opportunities in Dallas.
His draft profile has been on full display in the preseason as his size and catch radius have helped him haul in everything thrown his way, dazzling fans with amazing catches against the Seahawks. But he also lacks breakaway speed, which kept him from turning on the jets and housing it on his long reception against the Cardinals.
His first-team reps and unhideable highlights indicate the Cowboys either have to keep him or lose him, as his chances of clearing waivers and making it onto the practice squad are slim.
How he makes it: He either beats out Jonathan Mingo or the team opts to keep six WRs.
Julius Wood
Third time’s a charm? Yes, this is the third chance with the Cowboys for the undrafted safety from East Carolina. Initially, signed as a priority free agent in 2024, Wood was thumping around at training camp to the point where many thought he would have made the team. He didn’t. The Titans claimed him, and he played nine games in his rookie season.
He didn’t make Tennessee’s roster the following year, and this time it was the Cowboys who claimed him, where he stuck around on the practice squad all year last season. He signed a reserve/future deal in January, and he’s once again making his case to be on an NFL roster.
He’s laying the smack and tackling everything, showcasing his high energy and physical playing style, but his lack of agility creates run-angle and coverage concerns that may not fit well with what the new coaching staff demands from the safety position.
How he makes it: The team is deep this year at safety. They’d have to go extra long, especially considering how much they value Markquese Bell on special teams.
Justin Barron
After a five-year career at Syracuse trying to figure out what position fit him best, he finally settled in at linebacker. Average testing numbers resulted in him going undrafted, but he found a home with the Cowboys last year.
He spent almost the entire year on the practice squad before being promoted for the final two games, where he played exclusively on special teams. He’s a smart player who processes fast and communicates well. It’s no surprise that he’s fitting in Christian Parker’s system, and he had himself quite the day with three interceptions in a scrimmage against the Rams.
The question now becomes, can his noggin punch his ticket despite not having the strength or pure athleticism the position requires?
How he makes it: He’s jumped veteran free agent signing Curtis Robinson, and the team only has four other linebackers ahead of him, so his chances are reasonable, but does the think they could be clever and try to sneak him on the practice squad?
Reddy Steward
With the Bears in 2024, UDFA Steward impressed in preseason, but didn’t make final roster cuts. He spent most of the year on their practice squad, only playing one game his rookie season. He signed a reserve/future deal with the Vikings last year, but again was waived at final roster cuts.
The Cowboys immediately claimed him off waivers, where he played all 17 games last year. Steward has good instincts and solid run defender, which can keep him from giving up the big plays, but he allowed an 80% completion rate against him last season. He’s been doing well in camp, but the team’s slot corner options are far greater than they were a year ago.
How me makes it: The team prefers its final corner spot to be used for the slot and not the boundary.
Jay Toia
When the Cowboys drafted the UCLA big man in the seventh round a year ago, their defensive tackle position group looked a lot different. They’ve since added Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, Otito Ogbannia, Jonathan Bullard, and LT Overton. This puts the 340-pound nose tackle in a tough spot.
His brute strength and low center of gravity help him take on double teams and hold gaps, but his slow get-off and short arms keeps him from being a regular disruptor. He’s flashed some good play as of late, especially in the second preseason game against the Cardinals when he just blew up the interior, keeping him alive for one of those final roster spots.
How he makes it: With three more years of team control, he still offers depth, and he could also get some help if the veteran Bullard starts the season on injured reserve.
