Cowboys Players Who Need Impressive Camp to Avoid Being Cut

The Dallas Cowboys are set to open training camp on July 24, and there's plenty of work in store for them.

Dallas has been a perennial playoff contender over the past three years but hasn't advanced past the divisional round this century. The Cowboys also lost several key 2023 contributors during free agency.

The exodus of players like Tony Pollard, Michael Gallup, Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz and Dorance Armstrong should open up opportunities for some of Dallas' younger players. Yet, there will still be no shortage of competition just to make the roster.

Teams can carry up to 90 players in camp but will have to trim that number to 53 players by August 27.

With this in mind, let's examine three veterans who will need to impress in the coming weeks to make the final 53.

OL Josh Ball

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TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Josh Ball #75 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Offensive lineman Josh Ball entered the NFL in 2021 as a promising 6'7", 308-pound prospect out of Marshall.

"He is unrefined in the finer aspects of the position," Brandon Thorn of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote at the time. "...but he has the physical traits, demeanor and movement skills to compete for a swing tackle spot and develop into a potential starter down the road."

Unfortunately, Ball hasn't developed into the reliable backup that Dallas needs. Injuries cost him his 2021 and 2023 seasons, and Ball played just 105 snaps in 2022, most on special teams. He allowed one sack in 42 offensive snaps that season, according to Pro Football Focus.

While the offensive line is in flux, the Cowboys have other backup options, including T.J. Bass, Matt Waletzko and 2023 fifth-round pick Asim Richards.

Dallas could save just over $1 million in cap space by releasing Ball outright, so if he doesn't shine in camp, his release as a cap casualty feels likely.

RB Royce Freeman

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SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Los Angeles Rams running back Royce Freeman (24) runs after a catch during the NFL professional football game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2024 at Lev's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Cowboys did bring back Ezekiel Elliott this offseason, but they're not expected to have a true lead back in 2024.

"We're running back by committee," head coach Mike McCarthy said in May, per Michael Baca of NFL.com.

Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, Royce Freeman and Snoop Conner are among the backs vying for spots in that committee. While Freeman was a free-agent addition, he may have the most to prove among the experienced veterans.

Unlike Elliott, Dowdle, Davis and Vaughn, Freeman doesn't bring a ton of familiarity to the proverbial table. He does have experience in multiple systems—so a steep learning curve is unlikely—but he hasn't seen the field in a Cowboys uniform.

Elliott and Dowdle—who was re-signed this offseason—are likely locks to make the final 53, and Vaughn was a 2023 draft pick who should get a little bit of a leash. This likely leaves Davis, Conner and Freeman battling for a roster spot, depending on how many backs the Cowboys want to carry.

Freeman has talent, but he hasn't topped 4.1 yards per carry since 2020 and hasn't logged 100 or more touches since 2019. He'll probably have to turn heads in camp to stick because Dallas could save $1.7 million by releasing him.

TE Peyton Hendershot

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OXNARD, CA - AUGUST 15: Dallas Cowboys tight end Peyton Hendershot (89) takes part in a drill during the team's training camp at Marriott Residence Inn at River Ridge on August 15, 2023, in Oxnard, CA. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tight end Peyton Hendershot joined the Cowboys as an undrafted rookie in 2022, and he's managed to make the roster in each of the last two seasons. However, the Indiana product hasn't had a significant impact, recording just 15 receptions in two seasons.

Jake Ferguson established himself as TE1 last season, and the Cowboys are still hoping that 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoomnaker emerges. This likely leaves Hendershot competing with 2023 undrafted free agents Princeton Fant—who spent last season on the practice squad—and John Stephens Jr.

Stephens generated quite a bit of buzz last offseason before suffering a torn ACL in August.

"He's not even touching the surface right now, he's a great player and I'm excited to see what he kind of molds into and what he does for this team," Ferguson told reporters last August.

If the Cowboys opt for upside behind Ferguson at tight end, Hendershot could wind up being the odd man out. Dallas probably isn't keeping four tight ends on the active roster, and releasing Hendershot would save just under $1 million in cap space.

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*Contract nformation via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.