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Training camp starts for the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, July 27th. After an off-season where America's Team retained more talent than lost and added several valuable contributors, you'd be hard-pressed not to see a playoff team in them. With a litany of contracts about to expire by way of their stars, their Super Bowl window appears to be now. However, before a run can happen, sweat, blood, and tears will be sacrificed to get the roster up to par. Unfortunately, with that comes some cuts coming. Here are three that may happen during training camp.
3. Jeff Heath – S
Maybe the biggest weakness on the Cowboys is the safety position. Jeff Heath, a former special-teamer, and now a starter, is a catalyst to that statement. Starting the past two years, the safety has been a liability for the defense down in Dallas. He’s noted as possessing an inability to tackle in the open field, one of the essential things a strong safety—his position—can do. Per Football Outsiders, he missed 11 in 2017; then, he doubled that in 2018 — the second-worst rate in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus graded Heath's 2018 showing at a paltry 56.4 — 81st in the NFL for safeties. Though an outstanding special-teamer, it's clear that Heath shouldn't be relied upon to start or provide consistent play at strong safety. He may still be on the roster for his proficiency outside of the defense. But with George Illoka and Donovan Wilson on-board, it's hard to see where he fits in the safety group. He’s simply a liability and the team’s biggest weakness on defense.
2. Mike White – QB
Dak Prescott is the starter — duh — the backup behind him should be Cooper Rush; who did the same for the last two seasons. Because the starter hasn't yet sustained a significant injury in the NFL or missed a game, the Cowboys don't need a third quarterback on the roster. Though they did so last year, with Mike White, it's hard to justify carrying three quarterbacks on the roster — considering they could use that spot to help fix other positions.
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A fifth-round pick in 2018 by way of Western Kentucky, White has some promise. He's a big quarterback (6-foot-5, 220-pounds) that shined in college. In his last year, he threw for 4,177 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. However, he hasn't yet taken a snap in a meaningful NFL game. In all likelihood, White won't get cut. Quarterback-needy teams should covet him as a backup on a rookie contract. He should warrant some trade value.
1. Cody Wichmann – OG
The Cowboys offensive line got better in the off-season. Key pieces are on-board, including All-World center Travis Frederick — who is returning from a year off due to a Guillain–Barré syndrome diagnosis. Then, in the draft, talented Penn State product Connor McGovern was added. Now, the Cowboys appear to have their offensive line set in stone, and Cody Wichmann doesn't appear to be in it. Considering their depth accumulated.
A reserve guard signed in 2018, following a release from the Tennessee Titans, Wichmann hasn't yet played a snap wearing Cowboys blue and silver. Though the guard is relatively young (27), and possessing a large frame (6-foot-5, 319-pounds), he assuredly won't beat out promising prospects including McDermott and 2018 second-round pick Connor Williams.
