Key Takeaways
- The Dallas Cowboys have made solid offseason moves: signing Jalen Thompson, retaining key scorers Brandon Aubrey and George Pickens, and drafting to boost their pass rush.
- Current Las Vegas odds place the Cowboys at an over/under of 9.5 wins, positioning them on the brink of a playoff return.
- Roster depth has improved, making veteran cuts before the season more difficult; the cut‑down deadline has been moved up to Sunday August 30, giving coaches less time for tough decisions.
- Three potentially shocking cuts are examined: inside linebacker Dee Winters, versatile return specialist KaVontae Turpin, and veteran safety Malik Hooker.
- Each hypothetical release would stem from a combination of positional logjams, emerging younger talent, and cap‑space considerations, though only one is likely to materialize.
The Cowboys’ roster heading into the 2024 season looks considerably stronger than it did a year ago. After a quiet free‑agency period last year, Dallas went on a “sensible shopping spree,” most notably adding proven safety Jalen Thompson. The front office also held onto two of its most reliable scoring threats—kicker Brandon Aubrey and wide receiver George Pickens—while using the draft to fortify the pass rush. Those moves have not gone unnoticed by oddsmakers; Las Vegas now lists the Cowboys at an over/under of 9.5 wins, a figure that would put them right on the edge of postseason contention.
When you scan the depth chart from top to bottom, glaring weaknesses are hard to spot. In fact, several position groups now boast more depth than they did in recent years, which makes the inevitable preseason roster trimming a more painful exercise for the coaching staff. The NFL has reportedly moved the cut‑down deadline up from the traditional Tuesday to Sunday, August 30. Though the shift is only a few days, it compresses the window for coaches to evaluate talent and make those hard‑call decisions, increasing the pressure to get it right the first time.
Historically, roster cuts spark debate and occasional outrage, and the Cowboys are no exception. To illustrate the kind of move that would raise eyebrows, analysts have highlighted three players whose removal would be shocking—not because they are obvious candidates, but because each represents a blend of talent, contract situation, and emerging competition that could plausibly lead to a release.
Dee Winters (Inside Linebacker)
The Cowboys acquired Winters in a draft‑day trade, expecting him to provide immediate productivity inside, especially in the mold of the 49ers’ Fred Warner‑era linebackers. Yet, the emergence of DeMarvion Overshown and Jaishawn Barham as promising interior defenders, coupled with notable second‑year jumps from undrafted free agents Shemar James and Justin Barron, has created a logjam at the position. Winters is also physically smaller than many of his peers, which could limit his fit in certain defensive schemes. Cutting him would save roughly $4 million in cap space with no dead‑charge penalty (or $3.4 million if designated a post‑June 1 cut), making it a financially attractive, albeit surprising, option.
KaVontae Turpin (Wide Receiver/Return Specialist)
Turpin has earned All‑Pro and Pro Bowl honors primarily as a return specialist, but his receiving production has been modest. With George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb locked in as the top two receivers, the depth behind them includes Ryan Flournoy and a wave of young talent. If the Cowboys decide to prioritize “natural” pass‑catchers over a hybrid return‑receiver, Turpin could be squeezed out. His recent dip in kickoff‑return average further weakens his case. Should he be released, Jaydon Blue—who showed promise on special teams last year and benefited from the new kickoff rules—would likely inherit both kickoff and punt‑return duties. The move would save only a modest amount of cap space, but the shock factor would stem from losing a player who has been a consistent special‑teams weapon.
Malik Hooker (Safety)
Hooker entered Dallas with a reputation as a ball‑hawking safety, yet his tenure has been “just okay.” Over his time with the Cowboys he has recorded only six interceptions, none last season, and allowed a career‑worst passer rating of 131.7 in coverage in 2023. The safety room is now stocked with promising talent, including top draft pick Caleb Downs, versatile special‑teams contributor P.J. Locke, and developmental pieces like Alijah Clark. The Cowboys even re‑worked Hooker’s contract at the start of the league year, guaranteeing him only for the current season. Releasing him would incur some dead money, but the remaining contract is limited to this year, making the financial hit manageable. The surprise would come from cutting a veteran who still carries a recognizable name and a Pro Bowl pedigree from his Colts days.
When weighing which of these three scenarios is most plausible, the balance tips toward a move that combines clear positional competition, manageable cap implications, and tangible upward trajectory from younger players. Dee Winters fits that profile best: the interior linebacker group is crowded, his size is a potential mismatch, and the savings are meaningful without a lingering cap penalty. Turpin’s release would hinge on a philosophical shift toward pure receivers—a less likely change given his proven return value. Hooker’s case is compelling from a performance standpoint, but the dead‑money hit and his veteran status make a cut less probable unless the Cowboys are willing to absorb a short‑term hit for long‑term roster flexibility.
In sum, the Cowboys have built a roster that is deeper and more competitive than it has been in recent seasons, setting the stage for a potential playoff push. The upcoming cut‑down will test the coaching staff’s ability to balance talent, chemistry, and salary‑cap strategy, and any of the three highlighted cuts would certainly generate headlines—though only one is likely to become reality when the final 53‑man roster is announced.