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So the first week of free agency is in the books and the path to the 53-man roster just got harder for these three Cowboys players
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Hey what's up everyone, it's Mauricio Rodriguez here at ADZ Sports Dallas
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First week of free agency is in the books and let's be honest, the Cowboys were a little bit busier than we thought they were gonna
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And maybe they didn't add a lot of players that are going to shake up the starting lineup, but they did add 11 outside players
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That is including the trades that they pulled off. And that is bound to change some things for the depth chart specifically
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Now, again, I don't think they added any star that is going to bench a player on the current lineup
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There are some guys with starting potential, and I'm thinking about like Dante Fowler Jr., for example, the defensive end
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But I do think these are additions that might get some young players at the bottom of the depth chart into some trouble
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I'm talking about training camp battles starting to pick their heads in the horizon
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And I've got three players that I believe are going to have to fight hard for that roster spot that are impacted directly by the team acquisitions
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Now, I'm going to start with running back Deuce Vaughn. This is as obvious as it gets
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The Cowboys signed Devontae Williams. They added Miles Sanders and simply put there are more bodies now at the running back position Deuce Vaughn is in a tricky situation where he still exciting and he still a player you want to buy into but we seen multiple years now from him where that
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step he hasn't taken. He hasn't taken that second year jump, right? That third year jump. Now, Deuce
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Vaughn has this little struggle about the size where the pass protection is a question mark. The
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Pass catching is he's a dynamic player with the ball in his hands
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but what does the catch radius represent for him? Because it's obviously not a very large radius
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And you get a Javante Williams into the door, and this is a guy that he's seen as a third down back
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that he's seen as someone that will make the roster because of what he can do as a protector
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because of what he can do as a pass catcher. So overall, this doesn't feel great for Deuce Vaughn
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He has a chance at making the roster. Do not get me wrong, especially with Connor Riley, who was the former offensive line coach and offensive coordinator over at Kansas State
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Joins the Cowboys' offensive line coach, and there's a connection there. He might have benefited from it
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But right now, you're going to get Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders. You're likely drafting a running back in the top three rounds of the upcoming NFL draft
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it's not boding well for Deuce Vaughn, especially when you add Hunter Lipke into the mix
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because you might be talking about a three running back group with a fullback Just the math isn in favor of Deuce and he going to need a strong training camp Next name on the list is wide receiver Jalen Brooks The Cowboys did not or have not yet made a splash at the wide receiver position
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Stephon Diggs is still available. Amari Cooper is still available. But I don't think the Cowboys are going to make such a big move, quote-unquote big
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But they did sign Paris Campbell. Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with Campbell
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He is a former second round draft pick that hasn't panned out in the NFL in large because of the injuries that he's had to face
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However, if healthy, he's got some talent and Campbell is going to be somebody that come training camp might start making a name for himself as long as he stays healthy
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But I look at the Cowboys wide receiver room and it is true they need a strong number too
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I don't think that's what Campbell would be. He would be a bottom of the depth chart kind of guy
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So even Jalen Tolbert, I wouldn't put below him. I wouldn't put Jonathan Mingo below him, not even because of my own opinion of Mingo
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but I don't see the Cowboys ignoring the fact that they gave up a fourth rounder to get him
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But Jalen Brooks, he might be in that shopping block as a result of the Paris Campbell signing
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and he's somebody to watch out for. He's going to need another strong training camp. And then last on the list linebacker Damond Clark Clark has had a little bit of a crazy story since he arrived at Dallas with the injury thing the herniated disc He had fusion surgery which the Cowboys recommended and they ended up drafting him in the fifth round of the NFL draft
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Well, Clark started 17 games for the Cowboys in 2023, but as soon as Mike Simmer walked into that door
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he ended up being someone with a 15% defensive snap count. Matt Iberflues comes into town, and I don't think that benefits him either
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because the Cowboys have added Kenneth Murray in a trade. They've added Jack Samburn
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And suddenly you have those two along, Maris Leofau and the Marvin Overshawn
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the likely starters when healthy, especially in Overshawn's case. And suddenly it's a little bit crowded at the linebacker position for the Cowboys
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And I think Clark is at risk of just not making the 53-man roster at this point
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He could save himself through special teams, But Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray are going to make that task fairly complicated
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Now, of course, all of this will be decided on the field. But when you add 11 players to the team, there are going to be some, quote unquote, losers out of every transaction
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So these are mine and I'll keep you tuned. I'm going to start. We're not going to say that again
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ultimately these players are going to fight for roster spots on the field and that's what will
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determine who stays who's out but here at ADZ Sports Dallas we'll keep you updated with more
