The roster deadline has come and gone and we now have a strong idea of what the Dallas Cowboys' roster will look like for their Week 1 matchup in Cleveland. The Cowboys have also finalized their 2024 practice squad, but fans should expect more roster shuffling in the coming days.
Until then, we can continue to analyze the preliminary 53-man roster. Running back is by far the weakest position group -- even after the Dalvin Cook signing -- while safety, linebacker (thank you, Mike Zimmer!) and wide receiver are flush with depth.
Most of Dallas' roster was fairly easy to predict. However, there are a handful of players who surprised us with their presence. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but many analysts expected them to be shown the door.
If they don't see the field, the Cowboys could live to regret keeping them over other players who didn't make the cut. With that in mind, here are four players who should be thanking their lucky stars to be on the final 53.
4. CB Andrew Booth
Acquired from the Vikings after the first week of preseason, Booth may not have made the roster if not for DaRon Bland's injury. Bland is slated to miss 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery on a stress fracture in his foot. The All-Pro will open the season on IR, which allowed Dallas to keep an extra corner.
Cowboys reporters considered Israel Mukuamu a roster lock before the final preseason game. By process of elimination, that means Booth was the final cornerback to make it.
While Booth led the way with eight tackles against the Raiders, he got beat deep by Tre Tucker for a big gain. The following week against the Chargers, Booth gave up a 78-yard touchdown to old friend Simi Fehoko. He could've stopped Fehoko short of the end zone but he made a poor tackling attempt.
With Bland on the road to recovery and Dallas signing Amani Oruwariye to the practice squad, Booth should be looking over his shoulder.
3. DL Tyrus Wheat
Cowboys fans are not happy the team let rookie Justin Rogers get away. A seventh-round pick in April, Rogers signed to the Bengals practice squad after failing to make Dallas' 53-man roster. He was viewed by many as a valuable stash-and-develop player who could step into a part-time role as soon as next year.
Fans were equally floored when Wheat's name appeared on the initial 53. Wheat balled out in the preseason finale to the tune of three tackles (one for loss) and a sack and QB hit apiece. However, he generated just two pressures on 65 pass-rushing snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
Wheat was clearly kept because of his ability to play on special teams. However, his time on the roster may be short-lived after veteran pass rusher Carl Lawson signed to the practice squad. Still, the fact Dallas let Rogers leave in favor of Wheat is begging to blow up in their face.
2. OT Matt Waletzko
Waletzko's inclusion was by far the most dumbfounding. It was even more egregious that Waletzko made it over Josh Ball, whom Dallas was lucky to sign back to the practice squad. Simply put, Waletzko was one of the worst offensive tackles who put on a helmet in preseason.
On 127 pass-blocking snaps, Waletzko allowed seven pressures, two quarterback hits and one sack. He also committed three penalties.
The Cowboys had no trouble axing recent draft picks like Eric Scott and Viliami Fehoko, as well as promising youngsters Jalen Cropper, Julius Wood and Princeton Fant. And yet, they kept Waletzko, who (should have) played his way off the roster in preseason.
1. QB Trey Lance
Lance's spot on the roster was guaranteed. Being that Dak Prescott still isn't signed and Lance's 2024 salary is fully guaranteed, it made little sense to cut him.
Based strictly on performance, though, Lance had no business making the 53. In three games, he completed 73 of 113 passes for 662 yards and two touchdowns to five interceptions. His 64.6% completion rate was a hair above league average and would have ranked 19th out of 32 QBs last season.
Lance's 5.9 yards per attempt would have tied for 31st, bebehind Mac Jones, Zach Wilson, Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell and Aidan O'Connell. He had the second-most turnover-worthy plays (five) and his 67.8 passer rating checked in 17th out of 25 QBs who had at least 50 dropbacks, per PFF.
The Cowboys would have been better off rostering two QBs to open up an extra spot for safety Julius Wood or nose tackle Justin Rogers.
