Dallas Cowboys Camp: Depth Chart and Roster Spots
By Reid Hanson
Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
Dez Bryant(left) reacts to a touchdown with wide receiver
Devin Street(15) in a preseason NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Receivers (5)
Lucky Whitehead
This happens to be one of the worst training camp battles, to date. Following the draft, the Cowboys loaded up on raw undrafted free agent talent. Despite their efforts, little has flashed in training camp.
Obviously the top three spots (Bryant, Williams, and Beasley) are all roster locks. After a slow start to training camp, Devin Street flashed brightly on the stage in San Diego.
"“It was good to see [Devin Street] out there,” Jason Garret said. “He’s made a lot of development physically over the course of the offseason. He really embraced the offseason program. He got stronger, quicker, more explosive.”"
As I said yesterday in Devin Street Gives the Cowboys security:
"“Cole Beasely has expressed a willingness to play the outside, but given his physical stature, neither he nor Lucky are very optimal there. This leaves the Cowboys only three receivers capable of playing the two outside receiver positions, making Devin Street the primary backup at both X and Z. If an injury were to occur to either Dez Bryant or Terrance Williams, Beasely could play the outside if he needed to, but doing so wouldn’t only be a big step back on the outside, but a big step back in the slot (the position he just vacated). By Devin Street proving to be a capable X and/or Z receiver, Beasley can stay where he’s at his absolute best – the slot. Obviously Plan A for the Dallas Cowboys is to keep Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams healthy all season, but Devin Street’s progression provides a solid Plan B should an injury arise.”"
This leaves likely only one opening at receiver for the Cowboys and one man seems to be running away with the job.
Lucky Whitehead, my pick for UDFA breakout player of the year, has shown the ability to be a feared (and reliable) return man, as well as a strong slot receiver. Being an offensive weapon is gravy, but the real route to earning the #5 receiver spot is through Special Teams.
Lucky Whitehead did the unthinkable on Thursday and fumbled a punt return, but the options behind him have been so disappointing, he still has the final WR spot all but locked down.
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