8 Players on Dallas Cowboys' 2017 Roster Bubble

The Dallas Cowboys have reported to training camp, which means football is finally back in Big D.

With the pads coming on in the next few days, it means jobs are on the line as there are a number of Cowboys players who are on the roster bubble heading into 2017. 

For the most part, the depth chart is set heading into the season, but there are some interesting position battles brewing and a few that could lead to veterans losing their jobs. There are also some young players who could be on the outside looking in by the end of the preseason. For those reasons, it's going to be one of the more interesting training camps for Dallas in some time. 

Without further ado, let's take a look at eight players who are on the roster bubble as the Cowboys begin training camp.

Alfred Morris

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If it weren't for a possible Ezekiel Elliott suspension, Alfred Morris would be a safe bet to not make the Cowboys' roster in 2017. For a number of reasons, Morris' play has slipped in the past few seasons, and he's no longer the Pro Bowl runner we saw in 2013 and 2014.

Morris has seen a year-on-year drop in his yards per carry, as well in as in total touches. He struggled mightily over the past two seasons, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry against seven man boxes, while the rest of the league averaged more than four. He just doesn't have the explosiveness to scare defenses any longer, hence the low yards-per-carry average. 

He doesn't catch the ball out of the backfield (just 50 career receptions) often. Nor does he thrive in pass protection. He doesn't have the ability to break off long runs, so he's a limited, aging player at this point in his career. What also hurts Morris is he doesn't play special teams, which is uncommon for a third running back in today's NFL. That, in itself, could cost him a job this season.  

Morris turns 29 in December, and he's the third running back on the depth chart at best. If Rod Smith or Jahad Thomas outperforms him in camp or if another talented running back becomes available during the final cuts across the league, it wouldn't be surprising if the Cowboys tried to improve on his spot. Morris needs a big camp to stay on the roster.

Lucky Whitehead

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As has been highlighted all offseason, Lucky Whitehead has an uphill battle ahead of him if he wants to make the roster again in 2017. With Ryan Switzer's selection in the fourth round, Whitehead knows he was in danger this season as the rookie will be on his heels.  

Whitehead has played multiple roles for the Cowboys over the past two seasons, but his biggest was that of the team's punt and kick returner. However, after far too many blown assignments and limited success in the return game, Dallas decided to use a valuable asset to bring in another player to compete with Whitehead for return duties.

However, it's not a lock that Whitehead gets beaten out by Switzer for that job. He obviously has more experience returning kicks at the NFL level, and he's a more explosive player in general. He also has the added value of being a useful blocker on offense and a terrific runner on jet sweeps. He has a defined role on this team, and it's clear the Cowboys believe he can make plays on both offense and on special teams. 

Like Morris, Whitehead is going to need a big camp in order to secure a spot on the team's final 53-man roster. However, don't expect that to happen, as the team will likely give Switzer every chance to prove he was worth a fourth-round investment. It will likely take an injury for Whitehead to make the roster in 2017.

Rico Gathers

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The first surprising name on this list is second-year tight end Rico Gathers. While the expectations are high for Gathers in his second year, the fact is he's still the fourth tight end on the depth chart. Dallas only carried three tight ends last season, so it's not a stretch to assume they could do it again in 2017. 

While there has been a lot of talk about his progress this offseason, as Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News reported, it's not likely he beats out Geoff Swaim or James Hanna unless one isn't healthy. He just doesn't have the experience or the blocking ability to stay on the field on running downs. Gathers will need to earn his spot as a receiver, but is there a role for a developmental tight end on this roster? It's one of the biggest questions entering training camp. 

Gathers' biggest competition may not be Swaim or Hanna but another player at a different position. If the Cowboys were to lose a few players to injury during camp, they may not be afforded the luxury of keeping a fourth tight end on the roster. It's up to Gathers to show in camp he's not someone the team can afford to lose.

Rod Smith

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If the Cowboys do decide to keep Morris on the active roster, that's one less spot open for Rod Smith. A hybrid player who can play both running back and fullback for the team in a pinch, at 6'3" and 231 pounds, Smith is the perfect man to keep on the roster on game days because he can fill the many roles the third running back typically needs to. 

In 2016, he made the opening roster as a fullback but bounced on and off the roster throughout the season. Smith is one of Dallas' better special teams players, and that would likely be the biggest reason he makes the team this season.

However, if he's behind Morris on the depth chart, it's not likely this team keeps four running backs this season. Dallas might need his roster spot on the defensive line or in the secondary because of the suspensions and/or injuries that could occur in camp.

Cutting Smith may not be the worst thing if they can re-sign him to the practice squad. His versatility is nice to have waiting in the wings in case of an injury at either running back or fullback. Don't be surprised if he's among the final cuts in September but ends up back on the practice squad a few days later.

Brice Butler

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Much like Whitehead, Brice Butler is another receiver who could be on the bubble by the end of training camp. The Cowboys added talent to their receiving corps, and that could mean Butler does not make the roster despite re-signing with the team in free agency. 

While some may see Butler as a roster lock because of that, it's important to consider the timeline of his signing. Dallas re-signed him early in the offseason with the assumption Terrance Williams would likely get more money on the open market. Re-signing Butler gave the Cowboys insurance at receiver if Williams decided to leave.

Instead, Williams opted to give the Cowboys a hometown discount, leaving more money on the table from other teams. That knocked Butler back down to the fourth or fifth receiver on the depth chart. Even after re-signing both Williams and Butler, Dallas proceeded to draft two receivers: Ryan Switzer and Noah Brown. 

The receiver position is one of the deepest units on the Cowboys roster, as they have 11 players competing for five or six spots. If Butler does not have a fantastic camp, Dallas could choose to go with a younger player who may have more upside. Don't be shocked if Butler is one of the cuts. 

Jordan Carrell

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According to an Arrowhead Pride study in 2015, defensive linemen who are drafted in the seventh round have only a three percent chance of becoming starters in the NFL. For defensive tackle Jordan Carrell, he's looking to be part of the three percent in his rookie season.  

While the Cowboys lack top-end talent on the defensive line heading into 2017, they don't lack sheer numbers. Carrell is, at best, the fifth defensive tackle on Dallas' depth chart. Being that he's a seventh-round pick, it's not hard to see why he's on the bubble heading into camp.

What could allow Carrell to stick is his versatility. He can play both defensive tackle spots and potentially left defensive end on early downs. However, he will likely need to pass fellow seventh-round pick Jordan Ivie and a few other players to find a spot on the roster. 

It's not all bad for Carrell, as he should be a lock to make someone else's roster or Dallas' practice squad. Expect him to be a part of the Cowboys' plans, but not in 2017.

Marquez White

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Despite drafting two cornerbacks in the first three rounds, Dallas still decided to take a chance on Marquez White in the sixth round of April's draft. White is a big corner who has shown the talent and physicality needed to play on the outside in the NFL. He was just too talented to pass up in the late rounds despite the excess of cornerbacks on the roster. 

However, White is a raw player who will need some time to develop in the NFL. He is probably the sixth or seventh cornerback on the roster heading into camp. Much like Carrell, expect him to be released and end up back on the practice squad.

What could allow White to sneak on to the roster could be a suspension to fellow cornerback Nolan Carroll. Carroll was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated on May 29. If Carroll were to be suspended for any amount of time, the team would need to keep another cornerback. But as of now, White is on the outside looking in at the start of training camp.

Damien Wilson

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The case against Damien Wilson making the roster is fairly straightforward. On July 4, the third-year linebacker from Minnesota was arrested on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Wilson later admitted to having "road rage," per Naheed Rajwani of the Dallas Morning News, and that's what led him to take out his gun.

If he's convicted, there's no reason to think he will be on the roster, as the Cowboys would surely release him.

But until that case is resolved, Wilson will be at training camp and will need to prove he is still a valuable asset. In 2016, he was the team's starter at the strong-side linebacker spot, but he was also one of the primary backups to Sean Lee and Anthony Hitchens. Where Wilson could be in trouble is if another linebacker challenges him for that role. If there are other linebackers who can replicate Wilson's play, there is no reason to hold on to him any longer as the team waits for a legal decision.

Dallas could try to wipe their hands of the situation and of the player if other linebackers can step up during camp. He's going to need to have a massive training camp if he not only wants to be on the roster in 2017 but also continue his career in the NFL.