The Cowboys made six total cuts this week, including four at one time. Find out who all the Cowboys are releasing.
The Cowboys have begun the grueling selection process that eventually ends with just 53 men left on the roster. To get to 53, Dallas must first get to just 90 names, and the club officially hit that mark after releasing six total players on Friday.
C Adam Redmond, DT Walter Palmore, DE Ladarius Hamilton, and CB Kemon Hall were all officially released by the Cowboys.
Other than Woods, none of the releases have come as major surprises to Cowboys fans, as the club needed to make room for the 24 total players added last week through the draft and undrafted free agency.
Redmond was the most tenured Cowboys cut, as he had spent the majority of time since 2018 on Dallas’ practice squad.
For Hall, just like Smith, the writing was on the wall after Dallas’ new defensive regime added two cornerbacks on Day 2 of the NFL draft with Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright.
Like the corners above, there was just not much room for Hamilton after the Cowboys added Chauncey Golston and Osa Odighizuwa in the third round of the draft.
Last year, the NFL roster size for training camp was set at 80, though it remains to be seen if this years training camp will be treated the same way. Dallas has a number of tough decisions in front of them as they slowly form their 53-man roster.
The New Orleans Saints added a boatload of rookies and college free agents over the last week, so it’s time for the official website roster to update jersey numbers — not just for the new additions, but also to some inconsistencies with veteran players like Tanoh Kpassagnon.
Kpassagnon wore No. 92 during his four years with the Kansas City Chiefs, and that’s what he was initially assigned upon signing with the Saints earlier this offseason. But it’s the same number used by starting defensive end Marcus Davenport, so it’s good to have some clarity. Kpassagnon is now listed at No. 90, which was recently used by nose tackle Malcom Brown.
It’s unclear how often Kpassagnon will play now that the Saints are suddenly crowded at defensive end. He figures to rotate into the lineup behind Davenport, Cameron Jordan, and first-round draft pick Payton Turner, along with third-year pro Carl Granderson. New Orleans doesn’t lack for depth at the position but it would be great for some of those players to separate themselves from the pack. Maybe Kpassagnon can hit his stride in a new system, a new city, and a new jersey number.
The New Orleans Saints plugged most of the holes on their roster in the 2021 NFL draft, but they could still use upgrades on defense and at QB.
The New Orleans Saints could compete with any team in the NFL with the roster they’ve put together. They’re approaching the 90-man roster limit after the draft and after the initial waves of free agency, but they still have room to improve. So where should they start now that their 2022 compensatory draft picks are protected? Let’s dig in.
Antwaun Woods has started 32 games for the Dallas Cowboys over the last three years, playing in 39 of them. The free-agent find who was originally a UDFA with the Tennessee Titans in 2016 has been a staple of the interior of the defensive line since joining Dallas. Because of the rules of the CBA, he’s never been financially compensated for his level of performance, which was a major sticking point when he was an exclusive rights free agent in 2020.
He waited until the last minute to sign that tender in late July 2020. This year, as a restricted free agent, he did not wait. He signed the tender relatively quickly, locking himself in for a non-guaranteed base salary of $2.13 million. It appears the brass was using him as a place holder though, because following a draft haul when the club brought in three defensive linemen, the team has released Woods.
Cowboys are waiving starting defensive tackle Antwaun Woods, per source. They drafted two defensive tackles last weekend, and now Woods is a salary-cap casualty.
It would be a fair conversation to have if the Cowboys are clearing space to make a move on the free-agent market. Monday was the final day for any free agent to count against the compensatory pick formula and teams are likely preparing to add a veteran or two now that they know what the draft brought them in terms of projected starters and role players.
The Cowboys could be in that market, but had just $7.5 million of cap space in which they will have to pay their rookie class and carry space into the season for injury replacements or trades.
Woods is a 1-tech defensive tackle out of USC. He has 2.5 sacks and 80 tackles in his three seasons.
The club also released journeyman cornerback Saivion Smith, who was set to make $780,000 in 2021. Smith was not part of the team’s top 51 offseason salary cap calculation while Woods’ slot will be filled by a player moving up, meaning the actual savings on the cap will be around $1.4 million.
The ink is still setting on the 2021 NFL draft picks but eyes are already looking towards 2022. And the Saints expect to be bigger players in next year’s draft than they were in the latest cycle, owing to their full compliment of picks plus a few compensatory selections. And with the NFL’s calendar continuing to move along, veteran free agents can be signed without impacting the comp pick formula beginning 3 p.m. CT on Monday, May 3.
That’s big news for New Orleans. The Saints have already locked in a comp pick next year for personnel executive Terry Fontenot (a third rounder), and Over The Cap’s experts project them to receive two more selections for defensive end Trey Hendrickson (fourth round) and interior rusher Sheldon Rankins (sixth round). We won’t know the exact placements until the NFL announces them next spring, but if all goes as expected the Saints could go into the 2022 draft with six picks in the first four rounds.
It clears another hurdle for the Saints’ offseason plan. They do need to make other moves to free up salary cap space so they can go sign more players — after adding 17 rookies between their draft class and undrafted free agent signings, they’ve filled 79 of 90 offseason roster spots — and that can be done with long-term extensions for highly-paid veterans like Ryan Ramczyk ($11 million cap hit), Marcus Williams $10.6 million), and Marshon Lattimore ($10.2 million). Here’s hoping one or two of those deals can be worked out soon.
As for which players the Saints could target after their 2022 comp picks are protected: Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman didn’t sound optimistic about a fit in New Orleans after the team traded up to Paulson Adebo in the third round, though he should be an option; other veteran corners still unsigned include ex-Charger Casey Heyward and former Steeler Steven Nelson. The Saints could also bring back Ken Crawley.
Keep an eye on other position groups, too. Receivers waiting for calls range from Golden Tate and Danny Amendola to Damiere Byrd and Dede Westbrook. They’re on the older side, but the Saints could use a defensive tackle with NFL experience like Geno Atkins, Kawann Short, Jurrell Casey, or Sheldon Richardson. Big-money deals have dried up across the board, so some veteran players are going to have to sign for beneath their market value just to continue playing in 2021.
The Saints still have some boxes to check off as their retool their roster ahead of training camp later this summer. They also have more hurdles to clear before they can do that. But it’s good to see they have options.
Now that the 2021 NFL draft is over, the Dallas Cowboys can find even more help if they signed any of these defensive veterans.
After months of preperation and projection, just like that, the 2021 NFL draft is over. The Dallas Cowboys, shockingly, made 11 picks and are poised to add an additional 13 undrafted free agents if things go according to plan. That’s quite a haul for a team looking to add talent after a disappointing season.
With the draft now over, the Cowboys shouldn’t stop their pursuit of getting better. There are veteran players still available who can help Dallas in their championship aspirations. The Cowboys didn’t fill all their holes in the draft and even if they did address their positions of need, there are more experienced options out there.
The Cowboys are one of the teams who prefers to wait on signing some veterans until after it doesn’t affect their compensatory pick formula, a period that ends on May 3. While money is tight without working some restructure triggers or release some fringe veterans, expect Dallas to take another look at a few free agents who haven’t yet been signed.
Here are some names that could make a difference with the Cowboys.
Richard Sherman was just asked about the Saints and how drafting Adebo impacts his thought process during a Twitch stream. Here's his response via @AndrewComeaux99https://t.co/llSfZHyGB1
Richard Sherman was linked to the New Orleans Saints in the early days of free agency, but little came of that buzz. Sherman did recently list the Saints among a group of four teams he had met with — he represents himself in free agency — alongside the two teams he’s played for (the 49ers and Seahawks), plus the Raiders.
Sherman has spoken about the lukewarm interest he’d received from teams in free agency, explaining that he doesn’t anticipate any real offers until after the NFL draft. While the picks are still rolling in, and things could change in a hurry, it appears the Saints’ third-round pick of Stanford corner Paulson Adebo could take New Orleans off Sherman’s radar. While fielding questions from fans during a Twitch streaming event, Sherman mulled the situation with the Saints.
“It’s gotta be a ‘want’ and it’s got to be a respect level with everything,” Sherman said of interest between himself and potential suitors. “So, you know what I mean, Kris being there, they just drafted a corner. They don’t seem to me to be a ‘Y.'”
It’s unclear exactly what Sherman meant by that, but context clues suggest he doesn’t see the Saints as a ‘Yes’ in fitting what he’s looking for. He would be, at best, competing with Adebo to start in New Orleans. Considering Adebo’s talents and the coaching he’ll receive from Kris Richard, who Sherman has seen develop prospects firsthand, there are going to be more appealing destinations for him out there.
And that doesn’t even get into the contract details. If Sherman wants a starting gig and to be paid like a starting cornerback, pulling in $8 million or more per year, the Saints aren’t likely to hit on both points. It makes sense for him to consider other options at this early stage.
Maybe things look differently in a few days. The Saints could very well find the money he wants and offer him a legitimate shot at continuing to start. It’s just a situation where we’ll all have to wait and see.
Since the year 2000 only 5 players have signed extended contracts-only 4 since 2002. Is this time for change?
The Cowboys have had their share of difficulties when it comes to nailing their second-round picks over the years and getting long-term dividends from their investments. As ESPN’s Todd Archer recently pointed out, the second round has not been favorable to the Cowboys. They’ve had some hits but since 2000, only four of those picks have been offered contract extensions. With CB Chidobe Awuzie being allowed to walk in free agency this year, guard Connor Williams always appearing on the verge of being replaced, DT Trysten Hill not making much impact, the recent trend hasn’t been that great.
Throw in names like Gavin Escobar, Bruce Carter, Martellus Bennett, Anthony Fasano, Jacob Rogers et cetera et cetera, and it’s not an inspiring list of success stories. Recent fortune may have changed when Dallas drafted Alabama corner Trevon Diggs with the No. 51 pick, a player the team considered plucking with their first-round pick before WR CeeDee Lamb fell in their laps. Diggs’ play, leading the team in interceptions as a rookie, appear to give the team some hope that what happens at pick No. 44 on Friday (if they remain in that spot) will be a welcome addition.
“I feel like the sky is the limit,” Diggs said late this past season before finishing with team-highs in interceptions (three) and pass deflections (14). Diggs said, “I’m going to take myself where I want to take myself. I got the ability to do exactly what I’m trying to do and exactly what I want to do.” Diggs is ready to prove he was a primetime player.
The Cowboys have had a handful of success stories in the round in the last 20 years, just not enough. Center Andre Gurode was taken in 2020 and had a fruitful career that earned him a second contract with the club where he made the Pro Bowl for five consecutive seasons before moving on in free agency.
Linebacker Sean Lee has missed 42 games during his career due to injury since being taken in 2010. But when healthy Lee was a difference-maker on the field. After 11 years and 10 seasons, the two-time Pro Bowler is currently a free agent contemplating retirement.
Drafted in 2014, Demarcus Lawrence played in just seven games as a rookie due to injuries, but he made his case to become a long-term talent during the playoffs. When facing off against the Detroit Lions, Lawrence recovered a fumbled ball only to fumble it back to the Lions. Frustrated but not distracted, Lawrence was able to then strip-sack quarterback Matthew Stafford and pull the ball into his body, sealing the playoff win.
After back-to-back double-digit sack and Pro Bowl seasons, Lawrence received his five-year contract extension in 2019.
2016 second-round pick Jaylon Smith was the last second rounder to receive a multi-year extension. Smith was also paid prior to the 2019 campaign. While Smith’s restoration journey has been incredible, he has not played to his potential the last two years and often draws fan’s ire for celebrations celebrations, difficulties reading keys and costly penalties.
I don’t understand what #Cowboys Jaylon Smith was doing late in this play. I guess he thought Beckham was going out of bounds or hemmed up? If he runs to the sideline, he probably gets the angle, no? Maybe he was tired? pic.twitter.com/DKHPoB9qoX
One other noteworthy second-round pick is of course defensive end Randy Gregory. While the length of his contract is not long, one year signed through the 2021 season, Gregory brings forth more hope than any player on the current roster. After playing in only 28 games through three seasons, there is excitement for No. 94.
The Cowboys have stood by him through multiple suspensions, reinstatements and contract tolling. His self-worth and character have never changed. Gregory has battled mental health issues and his self medicating with marijuana ran him afoul of the league, but it never took away his love for the game. Gregory wants to play and has the ability that could lead him to a much more lucrative contract.
With the Cowboys once again failing to make any bold moves in free agency, their draft picks are going to be the highlight of their roster building exercises. Nailing pick No. 44, or packaging it along with other picks to move further up the ladder, is imperative for their success, not just in 2021 but beyond.
The rotational pass-catcher will return as depth behind the team’s elite trio of wideouts, signing his tender worth roughly $2 million.
Cedrick Wilson, who ranked fourth last season among Cowboys wide receivers in passes caught, has signed his one-year restricted tender offer to return to the team in 2021.
The fourth-year veteran out of Boise State caught 17 balls in 2020 in a rotational role behind Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup. He tallied 189 yards and scored two touchdowns, both coming in the Week 3 loss to Seattle. Two weeks later, he lobbed a touchdown throw to quarterback Dak Prescott on a fake reverse in the team’s win over the Giants.
He was also a contributor on special teams, most notably executing the lateral throwback to C.J. Goodwin on the squad’s tricky 73-yard punt return versus Pittsburgh.
Cedrick Wilson + C.J. Goodwin = 73-yard punt return for the Cowboys
A sixth-round pick in 2018, Wilson spent his rookie season on injured reserve. A training camp injury revealed a torn labrum, a condition he had played through during his final college season. In 2019, he recorded just five receptions in six games, but saw action in all 16 games last year.
Now he’ll provide trusted depth behind the Cowboys’ elite trio of starters at wide receiver for at least one more season. Wilson is expected to compete once again with fellow wideouts Noah Brown and Malik Turner for WR4 duties.
The rotational pass-catcher will return as depth behind the team’s elite trio of wideouts, signing his tender worth roughly $2 million.
Cedrick Wilson, who ranked fourth last season among Cowboys wide receivers in passes caught, has signed his one-year restricted tender offer to return to the team in 2021.
The fourth-year veteran out of Boise State caught 17 balls in 2020 in a rotational role behind Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup. He tallied 189 yards and scored two touchdowns, both coming in the Week 3 loss to Seattle. Two weeks later, he lobbed a touchdown throw to quarterback Dak Prescott on a fake reverse in the team’s win over the Giants.
He was also a contributor on special teams, most notably executing the lateral throwback to C.J. Goodwin on the squad’s tricky 73-yard punt return versus Pittsburgh.
Cedrick Wilson + C.J. Goodwin = 73-yard punt return for the Cowboys
A sixth-round pick in 2018, Wilson spent his rookie season on injured reserve. A training camp injury revealed a torn labrum, a condition he had played through during his final college season. In 2019, he recorded just five receptions in six games, but saw action in all 16 games last year.
Now he’ll provide trusted depth behind the Cowboys’ elite trio of starters at wide receiver for at least one more season. Wilson is expected to compete once again with fellow wideouts Noah Brown and Malik Turner for WR4 duties.
