Dallas Cowboys roster: Predicting toughest cuts on the way to 53

Jesse Reed

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Dallas Cowboys roster: Predicting toughest cuts on the way to 53 image

Cut-down day in the NFL is a brutal time, and the Dallas Cowboys will have some hard choices to make as they trim their roster from 90 to 53 players. 

The team already made one tough choice on Tuesday ahead of the deadline to cut down. 

Here, we're looking at three more decisions that are looming for the Cowboys ahead of their Week 1 NFL matchup against the Cleveland Browns. 

Will Deuce Vaughn really make it onto the Dallas Cowboys final roster?

Cowboys head honcho Jerry Jones seemingly gave the green light for Dallas to keep Vaughn after the final preseason game. Jones gushed about how Vaughn provides, "gadget juice and at non-gadget times."

That's great. And the evidence seems to indicate he's right. Vaughn averaged 6.2 yards per carry during the preseason en route to 87 rushing yards. However, the team is also bringing in four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, indicating the Cowboys may not truly be satisfied with their options. 

NFL QBs ranked 1-32
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-quarterback-rankings-2024-qbs-best-worst/e202e2b22c31a247a2196f58

Who gets cut on the Dallas Cowboys offensive line?

There is a logjam at the back end of Dallas' offensive line. Two players in particular are hanging around the roster bubble and could be on the way out. Right tackle Matt Waletzko, a former fifth-round pick out of North Dakota, and guard Josh Ball, a former fourth-round pick out of Marshall, are the two players in mind. 

A surge of outstanding play from Dallas' young crop of linemen have made both of them potential cut candidates. 

Overall cuts tracker
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-cuts-tracker-2024-live-roster-news-updates/cf7c9132190824af77ccf0ad

Which cornerback is on the chopping block?

Losing DaRon Bland to injury will complicate the Cowboys' plans at the cornerback position, early in the season at least. His absence has opened the door for players to step up, however, and one appears to have done just that. 

A guy nobody really saw coming, former sixth-round pick (in 2021!) Israel Mukuamu has been playing outstanding ball.

With Mukuamu coming on strong, the Cowboys could be forced to make a tough decision. 

Jesse Reed

Jesse Reed Photo

Jesse Reed is a passionate and avid NFL fan, first and foremost. He has been a professional writer for more than a decade with experience as a Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, where he was featured on Yardbarker and MSN.com. Previously, Jesse was a breaking news writer/NFL analyst for Bleacher Report. Follow him on X/Twitter at @JesseReed78.