Dallas Cowboys: New life in Trysten Hill’s career in Dallas

Things no longer look bleak for Trysten Hill’s future on the Dallas Cowboys

This is why you play the game. You never know how the chips are gonna fall on the Dallas Cowboys. Longshots can shift to possibilities and possibilities can shift to likelihoods – all in a blink of the eye.

Just a couple weeks ago, Trysten Hill looked like he was on the outside looking in. Today, he looks like a sure thing to make this final Dallas Cowboys roster. What a difference a couple weeks can make, right?

On paper, Trysten Hill was clearly the odd man out. Mike McCarthy stated he was only going to keep 10 defensive linemen and only four of them would be defensive tackles. Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, and Neville Gallimore looked like sure things and Antwaun Woods was the clear favorite for that final spot.

Anyone who predicted such a thing is either Hill’s mother or someone who only looks at draft status.

Running the math it was pretty clear Trysten Hill needed to jump one of them to make the team. And based on last season’s play, that didn’t seem like a very likely outcome.If you remember, last season Hill struggled getting activated, let alone making plays. And when he finally was able to get on field, he was pretty darn ineffective.

Attitude and effort seemed to hurt him as much as the usual growing pains DTs see when making the leap from college to the pros. The new coaching staff brought new hope for Hill. He had a blank slate to work with and had all the talent in the world.

People forget how tantalizing a prospect Hill was entering the league: The 6-foot-1, 330lb prospect had a rare combination or size and explosiveness. He’s and elite athlete with a low center of gravity and natural agility. He has all the tools to be a star – just needs to put in the work to learn the technical aspects.

Looking towards this season, it would be foolish to disregard his clashes in the past. The doghouse was familiar territory for Hill and he needs to change course physically and mentally if he wants to secure a strong role in 2020.

New Life for Trysten Hill with the Cowboys

While the injury to Gerald McCoy all but assures Hill will make the final roster in 2020, his attitude and play deserve their own recognition. According to statements from teammates and coaches, Hill has been an active participant on and off the field. He has a good attitude and a desire to learn. If he can get his play on the same level, he may have forced the Dallas Cowboys to keep him even if McCoy hadn’t have been lost.

Some video from team action -- Jaylon Smith gets in to make the tackle for little gain on the Zeke Elliott run up the middle.@wfaa | @wfaasports | #Cowboys | @thejaylonsmith

(Video courtesy of Dallas Cowboys) pic.twitter.com/dXwRtQAM2o
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) August 18, 2020

In the well-circulated clip above we see Hill getting snaps inside an even man front that’s only showing two down linemen. Hill takes on the double-team, keeping Jaylon Smith’s jersey clean behind him, and allowing Smith to make the stop.