The Cowboys came out of roster cutdowns in noticeably better shape than they were a year ago, and that alone says plenty. Some of the players Dallas let go have already found active roster or practice squad homes elsewhere, which is a sign the team is working from a stronger base than it did last season.
Still, the job isn’t finished. There are spots near the bottom of the roster that could change without causing much of a stir, and the problem is that the veteran market has already been picked over. Dallas can’t simply solve every issue with a trade, so Jerry Jones and company may need to get a little sharper as Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season approaches.
One of the cleaner paths to a small upgrade is digging through other teams’ practice squads. There are a few names out there who could make sense for America’s Team, whether as depth, competition, or a role player with a clear lane to help.
Dean Connors, the Rams’ rookie running back, looks like the kind of back who can do a little bit of everything. He put together a strong preseason in Los Angeles, showing he can run it, protect the quarterback, and make noise as a receiver.
The real separator, though, was his work as a pass catcher: three touchdown grabs on only seven receptions. He also forced 10 missed tackles in August, according to Pro Football Focus, and finished with more than three yards per attempt after contact per carry.
That kind of profile would give Dak Prescott another outlet and could let Connors spell Javonte Williams on third downs, in the same kind of role Emari Demercado filled.
On the offensive line, Tyler Miller is another name worth circling. The Broncos’ tackle is a towering 6-foot-9, 335 pounds, and he flashed enough this preseason to stand out as more than just a body.
He was a strong run-blocker, and his pass protection improved as the summer went along. With Drew Shelton’s struggles leaving the door open, Dallas shouldn’t rule out outside help at tackle, and Miller could offer more upside than Shelton.
Wanya Morris is already on the Cowboys’ practice squad, but Miller would be a different kind of swing.
The Cowboys could also use more certainty at linebacker, which is where Red Murdock enters the picture. Dallas’ fourth linebacker spot still feels open enough to justify another look, and Murdock brings a useful edge with his ability to force fumbles.
He piled up tackles this preseason for a deep Broncos defense, showed he can cover, and contributed on special teams. That ball-stripping knack matters, and Dallas needs players who can change a game with one hit.
In the secondary, Jabbar Muhammad offers versatility. He played plenty for Jacksonville this preseason and was more active than he was a year ago.
Opponents targeted him often, but he still held them to an 82.4 quarterback rating when thrown at. He can help as a run defender, lines up mostly outside, and has the flexibility to move into the slot or the box.
He also brings experience across multiple special teams units.
DeShon Singleton Jr. rounds out the list as another defensive back with some real utility. Like Muhammad, he’s comfortable as a movable piece on the back end and logged a lot of special teams work this summer. A rough preseason finale kept him off the Chiefs’ 53-man roster, but he still profiles as a solid coverage player with reliable tackling, good range, and enough size to help on the back end or as a blitzer if used the right way.
In Other News...
Cowboys Proved Their Dynasty Was Real In One Crushing 49ers Win
The NFC Championship game at Texas Stadium on Jan. 23, 1994, still stands as one of the clearest statements the Cowboys made in the middle of their run. Facing the 49ers again with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, Dallas handled the moment with the kind of force that made the dynasty feel less like a hot stretch and more like a finished proof. The 38-21 win also marked a second straight NFC title game victory over San Francisco, which only deepened the sense that this was now Dallas' stage.
It was hardly a smooth night, either. Troy Aikman was shaken up by a concussion and had to leave the game, forcing Bernie Kosar into meaningful duty at the biggest possible time. Even with that disruption, the Cowboys kept control and kept separating from a 49ers team that had been the conference standard for years, a reminder of how fully Dallas had taken the mantle by then. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Fans May See No. 60 Very Differently After This Throwback Story
The No. 60 jersey has bounced around Cowboys history, but it carries a little more weight when you trace it back to Don Smerek. The undrafted defensive lineman carved out a real role in Dallas from 1980 to 1988, becoming the most notable player to wear the number and doing it the hard way after battling injuries and surviving a shooting incident along the way.
For a team that has seen plenty of linemen cycle through the roster, Smerek stands out because he stuck as a pass rusher and made his mark without the draft pedigree or the easy path. Other players have worn 60 since then, and Tyler Guyton has it now, but the number still invites a look back at a player whose Cowboys story was built on resilience as much as production. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Are Betting Big On Fixing What Steelers Couldn't
The Cowboys spent part of their offseason making a clear bet on Broderick Jones, sending third- and sixth-round 2027 draft picks to Pittsburgh to bring in the former Steelers tackle along with a 2027 fourth-rounder. Dallas plans to give Jones a real competition at right tackle, and the move comes with a broader reset in how the organization wants him developed after his time in Pittsburgh.
Jones has played both right and left tackle for the Steelers, a versatility the Cowboys believe came at a cost to his growth. Now the focus in Dallas is on retraining some of those techniques and narrowing his path, with the hope that a more defined role can unlock the talent that made him such an appealing target in the first place. [Read more 🡒]