The Dallas Cowboys are in the midst of OTAs, continuing their sessions on Wednesday, while a majority of teams around the NFL are just getting started. It's an important moment for teams, not only because they're getting a look at their potential roster together for the first time, but also because of where it falls on the calendar.
June 1 is among the most significant dates in the NFL offseason. Any player cut after June 1 can see his dead cap hit spread out over the next two seasons, allowing front offices more money to spend for the 2025 campaign.
We'll see guys released and then signed, though one Cowboys starter is an obvious candidate to be let go due to salary cap considerations.
Cowboys S Donovan Wilson in Danger of Being Cut This Week
As pointed out by Cowboys writer and podcaster Dan Rogers, Dallas can save $8.65 million by releasing starting safety Donovan Wilson after June 1. The Cowboys could just defer the money to the 2026 cap, which would give the front office the opportunity to pursue other marquee free agents who haven't signed yet.
Originally a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Wilson has been with the franchise for his entire career, making 60 starts in 83 appearances in the process. He ranked just 97th out of 171 qualified safeties at Pro Football Focus and is already 30 years old, though, so it'd make sense for Dallas to want to get younger at the position.
To make matters worse for Wilson, he was dreadful in pass coverage, surrendering a 71.1 completion percentage and 130.0 passer rating when targeted. For context, two-time MVP Lamar Jackson led all qualified quarterbacks with a 119.6 mark.
Wilson's best days are likely behind him, and he stands to hold the seventh-largest cap hit for the roster if he's not released. It's in the Cowboys' financial interests to let the veteran go, even if it might be painful.
These next few days of practices are huge for Wilson and could determine whether he becomes a cap casualty this weekend.