SportsDay: Ranking 2017 Dallas Cowboys Roster

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Part 1: Ranking the Dallas Cowboys' roster: Nos. 53-41

Since it's so difficult to differentiate between several players who played very little or not at all, the bottom 13 are being listed in alphabetical order.

Richard Ash, DT. He provided valuable depth, finishing sixth among the team's defensive linemen for defensive snaps played in 2017. Ash finished with 15 tackles in 10 games

Byron Bell, OT. He was solid at times filling in for Tyron Smith at left tackle. Bell played in 12 games, starting two in his seventh NFL season.

Bene Benwikere, CB. The veteran backup appeared in 12 games, mostly on special teams. He finished with two tackles, a pass deflection and a fumble recovery.

Rico Gathers, TE. After catching a pair of touchdown passes in the preseason, it looked as if Gathers would have a role on the team in 2017. But as training camp was winding down, Gathers suffered a concussion. He has not played in a regular season game during his two seasons in Dallas.

Chaz Green, OT. Green was given the first crack at starting in place of an injured Tyron Smith. That plan didn't go well, opening the door for Byron Bell. Although Green's time at left tackle didn't work out, it doesn't mean he can't be a good interior offensive lineman going forward.

Blake Jarwin, TE. The undrafted rookie free agent was called up from the Cowboys' practice squad in late October. He appeared in one game, playing 12 snaps against Atlanta in Week 10.

Datone Jones, DL. The Cowboys signed Jones, a first-round pick by the Packers in 2013, in late November. He started the final two games of the season, recording six tackles and a sack.

Joe Looney, OG. Looney has provided solid depth at the interior line positions over the last two seasons. The five-year veteran is about to become an unrestricted free agent.

Justin March-Lillard, LB. He added depth and contributed on special teams in his first season with the Cowboys. He recorded two tackles in seven games.

Lewis Neal, DL. He finished with eight total tackles and two tackles for loss after being called up from the practice squad in November. Dallas signed Neal as an undrafted rookie free agent in May.

Brian Price, DT. He played in eight games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Price was claimed off waiver from Green Bay in September.

Cooper Rush, QB. Dak Prescott's backup appeared in two games during his rookie season, completing one pass for two yards. Rush had a brilliant preseason where he completed nearly 75 percent of his passes for 398 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions.

Charles Tapper, DE. He has the talent to be ranked much higher, but he's been unable to stay healthy since the Cowboys drafted him early in the fourth round two years ago.

 

[theoneandonly]

I could see Jarwin, Neal and maybe Rush turning into something. Everybody else can go. Churn baby Churn.

 

[dbair1967]

Any ranking that doesn't have Chaz Green dead last is erroneous

 

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“Heres all these guys that didnt warrant enough time for a full evaluation,

We’ll just list them alphabetically for the sake of argument

















































And then here we have chaz green”

 

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Jon Machota on Twitter: "Ranking the Dallas Cowboys' roster: Nos. 40-31 https://t.co/2F9ZYo6zj3"


Part 2: Ranking the Dallas Cowboys' roster: Nos. 40-31


40.) Kyle Wilber, LB -- Wilber has played in all but one game over the last five seasons. He was primarily used on special teams in 2017, finishing with 10 tackles and a forced fumble.

39.) Geoff Swaim, TE -- The Cowboys basically played only three tight ends in 2017. Swaim, who averaged 11.5 offensive snaps per game, caught two passes for 25 yards in 15 games.

38.) Keith Smith, FB -- Smith played in every game, averaging eight offensive and 15 special teams snaps per game. He did not have a carry but he caught five passes for 26 yards.

37.) Damien Wilson, LB -- Wilson appeared in every game, starting nine as the team's strong side linebacker. He finished 11th on the team with 29 tackles and added a sack.

36.) Kavon Frazier, S -- Frazier worked into the mix as Dallas' fourth safety during his second season. He recorded 33 tackles in 15 games. Frazier was on the field for 37 defensive snaps his rookie season. He played 221 in 2017.

35.) L.P. Ladouceur, LS -- Always difficult to rank the long snapper. Ladouceur, who remains one of the best in the business, just finished his 13th season with the Cowboys.

34.) James Hanna, TE -- Hanna scored his first career touchdown in 2017. Although he only finished with four catches during the season, he started eight games and was a regular contributor in the running game.

33.) Benson Mayowa, DE -- In 14 games, the backup pass rusher finished with 21 tackles, one sack and three tackles for loss. Mayowa led the Cowboys in sacks in 2016 with six in 13 games.

32.) Taco Charlton, DE -- The first-round pick didn't make a huge impact during his rookie season, but he did improve as the year went along. He finished with 19 tackles, three sacks and seven quarterback hits. He has the ability to quickly climb into the top 20 if he continues to progress.

31.) Ryan Switzer, WR/KR/PR -- Switzer didn't have much of a role on offense, but he was among the NFL's top kickoff returners, averaging 25 yards per his 24 returns. He finished 12th in punt return average, which included an 83-yard touchdown return against Washington.

 

[theoneandonly]

Jon Machota on Twitter: "Ranking the Dallas Cowboys' roster: Nos. 40-31 https://t.co/2F9ZYo6zj3"


Part 2: Ranking the Dallas Cowboys' roster: Nos. 40-31


40.) Kyle Wilber, LB -- Wilber has played in all but one game over the last five seasons. He was primarily used on special teams in 2017, finishing with 10 tackles and a forced fumble.

39.) Geoff Swaim, TE -- The Cowboys basically played only three tight ends in 2017. Swaim, who averaged 11.5 offensive snaps per game, caught two passes for 25 yards in 15 games.

38.) Keith Smith, FB -- Smith played in every game, averaging eight offensive and 15 special teams snaps per game. He did not have a carry but he caught five passes for 26 yards.

37.) Damien Wilson, LB -- Wilson appeared in every game, starting nine as the team's strong side linebacker. He finished 11th on the team with 29 tackles and added a sack.

36.) Kavon Frazier, S -- Frazier worked into the mix as Dallas' fourth safety during his second season. He recorded 33 tackles in 15 games. Frazier was on the field for 37 defensive snaps his rookie season. He played 221 in 2017.

35.) L.P. Ladouceur, LS -- Always difficult to rank the long snapper. Ladouceur, who remains one of the best in the business, just finished his 13th season with the Cowboys.

34.) James Hanna, TE -- Hanna scored his first career touchdown in 2017. Although he only finished with four catches during the season, he started eight games and was a regular contributor in the running game.

33.) Benson Mayowa, DE -- In 14 games, the backup pass rusher finished with 21 tackles, one sack and three tackles for loss. Mayowa led the Cowboys in sacks in 2016 with six in 13 games.

32.) Taco Charlton, DE -- The first-round pick didn't make a huge impact during his rookie season, but he did improve as the year went along. He finished with 19 tackles, three sacks and seven quarterback hits. He has the ability to quickly climb into the top 20 if he continues to progress.

31.) Ryan Switzer, WR/KR/PR -- Switzer didn't have much of a role on offense, but he was among the NFL's top kickoff returners, averaging 25 yards per his 24 returns. He finished 12th in punt return average, which included an 83-yard touchdown return against Washington.

A whole lot of meh there. Switzer and Taco entering year two so both should make their biggest improvements. Ladouceur is automatic and can probably go a few more years. Everybody should feel free to freshen their resume. Had hopes for Wilson but I think they should draft at least two LBs this year.

 

[Scot]

Jon Machota on Twitter: "Ranking the Dallas Cowboys' roster: Nos. 40-31 https://t.co/2F9ZYo6zj3"


Part 2: Ranking the Dallas Cowboys' roster: Nos. 40-31


40.) Kyle Wilber, LB -- Wilber has played in all but one game over the last five seasons. He was primarily used on special teams in 2017, finishing with 10 tackles and a forced fumble.

39.) Geoff Swaim, TE -- The Cowboys basically played only three tight ends in 2017. Swaim, who averaged 11.5 offensive snaps per game, caught two passes for 25 yards in 15 games.

38.) Keith Smith, FB -- Smith played in every game, averaging eight offensive and 15 special teams snaps per game. He did not have a carry but he caught five passes for 26 yards.

37.) Damien Wilson, LB -- Wilson appeared in every game, starting nine as the team's strong side linebacker. He finished 11th on the team with 29 tackles and added a sack.

36.) Kavon Frazier, S -- Frazier worked into the mix as Dallas' fourth safety during his second season. He recorded 33 tackles in 15 games. Frazier was on the field for 37 defensive snaps his rookie season. He played 221 in 2017.

35.) L.P. Ladouceur, LS -- Always difficult to rank the long snapper. Ladouceur, who remains one of the best in the business, just finished his 13th season with the Cowboys.

34.) James Hanna, TE -- Hanna scored his first career touchdown in 2017. Although he only finished with four catches during the season, he started eight games and was a regular contributor in the running game.

33.) Benson Mayowa, DE -- In 14 games, the backup pass rusher finished with 21 tackles, one sack and three tackles for loss. Mayowa led the Cowboys in sacks in 2016 with six in 13 games.

32.) Taco Charlton, DE -- The first-round pick didn't make a huge impact during his rookie season, but he did improve as the year went along. He finished with 19 tackles, three sacks and seven quarterback hits. He has the ability to quickly climb into the top 20 if he continues to progress.

31.) Ryan Switzer, WR/KR/PR -- Switzer didn't have much of a role on offense, but he was among the NFL's top kickoff returners, averaging 25 yards per his 24 returns. He finished 12th in punt return average, which included an 83-yard touchdown return against Washington.

Maybe whoever the WR coach ends up being will push for Switzer to be more involved. Drop Dez on the sidelines and run a double set with Switzer and Beasley like we all want to see

 

[theoneandonly]

32.) Taco Charlton, DE -- The first-round pick didn't make a huge impact during his rookie season, but he did improve as the year went along. He finished with 19 tackles, three sacks and seven quarterback hits. He has the ability to quickly climb into the top 20 if he continues to progress.

No first round pick should ever be 32nd best player on the roster and I dont disagree about this ranking. Players usually make their biggest jump between year 1 and 2 so if he is healthy and plays 75% of the snaps (something else that should happen, I would expect at least six sacks this year and a whole lot of pressure.

 

[theoneandonly]

Dallas Cowboys: Ranking the Dallas Cowboys' roster: Nos. 20-11 | SportsDay

 

[theoneandonly]

12.) Anthony Hitchens, LB For the fourth consecutive year, Hitchens was among the top five on the team in tackles. He finished second in 2017 with 84 in 12 games. There's a good possibility that Hitchens could depart in free agency, which would be a significant blow to Dallas' defense

And another thing, a roster where Hitchens is your 12th best player, certainly does not scream a super talented roster to me. It screams average at best. IMO this is a player you should always be trying to upgrade from, not one you lament if he goes elsewhere in FA.

 

[icup]

No first round pick should ever be 32nd best player on the roster and I dont disagree about this ranking. Players usually make their biggest jump between year 1 and 2 so if he is healthy and plays 75% of the snaps (something else that should happen, I would expect at least six sacks this year and a whole lot of pressure.

ya but when you have all the time in the world to develop "the process" do you reeeeaaally need results in yr 1???

 

[dbair1967]

And another thing, a roster where Hitchens is your 12th best player, certainly does not scream a super talented roster to me. It screams average at best. IMO this is a player you should always be trying to upgrade from, not one you lament if he goes elsewhere in FA.

They just released his ratings and he is ranked quite high for LB's league-wide (I think 20th) and he is the #1 free agent LB in terms of "run stop %"

He's an underrated player for sure IMO, he will likely get a pretty significant payday elsewhere but he is a quality player.

 

[dbair1967]

No first round pick should ever be 32nd best player on the roster and I dont disagree about e.

There are some teams where their 1st rd pick hardly played, where would those guys be ranked on those particular teams?

You always hope for immediate impact, but the fact is some players take a yr or two (or more sometimes) to really develop. Pass rushers are one of the positions that typically take time to truly make an impact as well.

 

[icup]

They just released his ratings and he is ranked quite high for LB's league-wide (I think 20th) and he is the #1 free agent LB in terms of "run stop %"

He's an underrated player for sure IMO, he will likely get a pretty significant payday elsewhere but he is a quality player.

it does seem likely that he'll be w/ eberflus in indy

 

[dbair1967]

it does seem likely that he'll be w/ eberflus in indy

Would make sense for a lot of reasons. Former positon coach is the new DC, plus they have needs all over defense and a gazillion dollars in cap space.

 

[theoneandonly]

ya but when you have all the time in the world to develop "the process" do you reeeeaaally need results in yr 1???

I need more than I saw year one, and they obviously drafted for need, not necessarily BPA. I'll stick to the old adage you are what you are end of year three. However, biggest jump usually comes between year one and two, so this time next year we should have a really good idea of what he is.

 

[theoneandonly]

They just released his ratings and he is ranked quite high for LB's league-wide (I think 20th) and he is the #1 free agent LB in terms of "run stop %"

He's an underrated player for sure IMO, he will likely get a pretty significant payday elsewhere but he is a quality player.

I am more interested in pass stop than run stop from LBers, and I dont like small players in general unless they are huge difference makers which I dont see in him.

 

[icup]

if hitchens is eligible for netting dallas a comp pick, then by all means i hope he gets a fat ass contract to play somewhere else

 

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