Each year, several veterans end up getting cut or traded by their teams before the start of the regular season. That will likely be the case this year for Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are in win-now mode, but could still pick youth over experience at a few spots on the roster this year.
There are a few veterans who might end up not being on the Cowboys' roster at the start of the season. That could come via a trade, or more likely, a release. With that in mind, here are three veterans who are on the bubble to make the Cowboys' roster.
S J.J. Wilcox
Wilcox has drawn the ire of many Cowboys fans for his missed tackles and poor coverage, so this might go over well for the Cowboys. Barry Church is the still the starter at strong safety and Byron Jones is going to move to free safety full-time. That means Wilcox is out of a starting job and he could very well lose his spot on the roster. Jeff Heath is here to stay after signing an extension and the Cowboys drafted Kavon Frazier in the sixth round this year. If Frazier makes the roster, it could come at the expense of Wilcox. It's more likely Wilcox makes the team again this year, but there's a chance he doesn't.
OT Charles Brown
A second round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Saints, Brown has been a journeyman backup tackle in the NFL. He replaced Darrion Weems last year, and hardly saw the field as a backup swing tackle. If everything goes according to plan for the Cowboys, Brown won't be needed this year. The Cowboys usually carry only three tackles, and are hoping last year's third round pick Chaz Green becomes that swing tackle this year. He missed almost all of last season, but the time is now for him to become the top backup at tackle behind Tyron Smith and Doug Free.
RB Darren McFadden
The Cowboys could save over $2 million by moving McFadden, but they won't just cut him. The team has said they won't trade McFadden, but if Ezekiel Elliott picks up the offense quickly, they just move one of their backs. McFadden is the most likely one to be traded. Lance Dunbar is recovering from injury, but is a better third down back than McFadden. Alfred Morris is young and cheaper than McFadden, as is Rod Smith. Plus, Smith is the brother of Jaylon Smith and the former roommate of Elliott. Smith's bigger than the other backs on the roster, which could help him stick. McFadden played well last year, and the Cowboys might be better moving him for a draft pick or two.
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