The Dallas Cowboys wrapped up the NFL Draft this past weekend and now eyes are focused on the start of the 2025 season. While this offseason wasn’t without its share of controversy, Dallas will look to return to the playoffs under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer after finishing with a 7-10 record last season.
Many of the contributors for this season are locked in as quarterback Dak Prescott returns from injury and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb remains the top target. There are also some storylines to be resolved including Micah Parsons’s quest for a new contract. But there are some Cowboys that may not make it to the start of the season and their time in Dallas could be up by the time the calendar turns to June.
1. RB Miles Sanders
It may be a surprise to put Miles Sanders on this list considering he just arrived in Dallas. The former Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers running back signed a one-year deal in an effort to revive his career. But his plans may have been thwarted after the Cowboys selected two running backs in the draft.
Fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue is a speedster that could give the Cowboys game-breaking ability. Dallas was also high on him, ranking the Texas product as the third-best back in the class behind first-round picks Ashton Jeanty, who went No. 6 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Omarion Hampton, who went 22nd overall to the Los Angeles Chargers.s
The Cowboys doubled up on the running back position in the seventh round of the draft, taking Clemson bruiser Phil Mafah. Mafah needs to improve in pass protection to make the roster but at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, he has the size to be a monster in short yardage situations.
With Javonte Williams locked in as the starter, Sanders is finding the Dallas backfield a little crowded. Mix in a $1.19 million contract that’s easily disposable and things aren’t looking good for the former Pro Bowl running back.
2. DT Mazi Smith
Mazi Smith remains the starter as the Cowboys didn’t use a premium pick on the nose tackle position. But entering his third season, the Michigan product has set the bar notoriously low as one of the worst players at his position, grading 117th out of 118 qualifiers with a 34.8 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus.
Being a first-round pick helps Smith’s case to make the roster but the Cowboys added competition in the later rounds of the draft. Jay Toia was a three-year starter at UCLA and has the tools to be a run stuffer and it shouldn’t be hard to improve on the 35.9 run defense grade Smith posted last season. Dallas also has 2024 seventh-round pick Justin Rogers still on the roster and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cowboys throw in the towel on Smith.
3. CB Trevon Diggs
Getting rid of Diggs before June would be difficult as the Cowboys signed him to a five-year, $97 million contract back in 2023. But Dallas also has a gripe as Diggs has been unable to stay on the field since getting paid.
Diggs suffered a torn ACL during the 2023 season and needed another knee surgery at the end of last season. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones criticized Diggs for not attacking his rehab and took another swipe at the former All-Pro when talking to The Athletic’s Jon Machota after the draft.
"If he has not worked as hard, he is more subject to injury. He’s learned that one time. I have a lot of hope that his actual rehab and experience from the time before is really helping him out. I think it is.”
This doesn’t sound like a vote of confidence and Dallas sent another message when they selected East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. in the third round. A potential first-round pick before suffering a torn ACL during his final season with the Pirates, Revel could be looked at as insurance for Diggs or a full-blown replacement if the Cowboys decide to cut bait.
It would require finding a team to take on Diggs’ mammoth contract, but it could also lead to a shocking departure before he gets the chance to return from his latest injury.