Most NFL teams reserve just three roster spots for special teams. Kicker, punter and long snapper are standard protocol for league roster builders, and very few top minds will deviate from such a mindset. The Cowboys, always eager to disrupt, aren’t most NFL teams.
Dallas doesn’t follow the usual do’s and don’ts of roster building because they dedicate an extra roster spot to teams. C.J. Goodwin has been that man for them, and despite offering almost nothing in the way of offense or defense, Goodwin has managed to stay firmly affixed to the roster based solely on his special teams play.
The majority of his time with the Cowboys, it’s been money well spent. The ace has been a coverage team savant, slicing his way through double teams, burning his way around corners, and imparting his will upon return men as he made arm tackle after arm tackle in various punt and kick coverage situations.
Lately he’s been far below dominant, going from asset to liability in less than two shakes of a lamb’s tail. Goodwin, a man Dallas has employed since 2018, has gone from untouchable gunner to undeniable progress stopper, overnight.
Special teams has long been regarded as a valuable commodity in Cowboys Nation. From Bill Bates to Kenny “The Shark” Gant, the gunner position has been a respected spot from coaching staff and fans alike. For years, Goodwin has fit that bill.
But Father Time is undefeated and Goodwin, 34, might have finally met his match. Through six games in 2024, Goodwin has just one tackle to his name. To make matters worse, Goodwin has been a magnet for penalties, getting called for four already this season and making more than a few people wonder what exactly he’s offering the Cowboys at this point.
With a penalty to tackle ratio of 4:1, Goodwin’s days are possibly numbered in Dallas. As injured players make their way back into the fold in coming weeks, the Cowboys need to think long and hard about what’s best for the club. Goodwin is no longer the special teams ace he used to be and appears to be playing below replacement level. Using his roster spot on a younger player with better potential seems like a better use of resources in both the long term as well as in the present.
The Cowboys might have held on too long with Goodwin and if they really respect special teams play as much as they’ve shown in the past, they have to consider moving on.
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