Tuesday was a bittersweet day for many NFL hopefuls. For those whose names landed on the cutting floor as their team finalized its final 53-man roster, it was bitter. But those who did make the cut let out a sweet breath of relief.
I had some thoughts on the goings on of NFL Roster Cut Day, but first let’s look at which former Pokes’ day was bitter and who’s was sweet.
Here are the former Cowboys who were cut/waived in the final round of roster trimmings on Tuesday.
Note: These players are able to sign with a team’s practice squad or be signed by another team.
Dillon Stoner | Las Vegas Raiders
Tyron Johnson | Los Angeles Chargers
Lane Taylor | Houston Texans
Chris Lacy | Chicago Bears
Cam Murray | Arizona Cardinals
Brad Lundblade | Seattle Seahawks
Darrion Daniels | San Francisco 49ers
Codey McElroy | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Arlington Hambright | Chicago Bears
Madre Harper | New York Giants
And here are the OSU alums that are currently on an active NFL roster, nine days before the start of the regular season.
Matt Ammendola | New York Jets
Chris Carson | Seattle Seahawks
Tre Flowers | Seattle Seahawks
A.J. Green | Cleveland Browns
Justice Hill | Baltimore Ravens
Chuba Hubbard | Carolina Panthers
Blake Jarwin | Dallas Cowboys
Teven Jenkins | Chicago Bears
Emmanuel Ogbah | Miami Dolphins
Amen Ogbongbemiga | Los Angeles Chargers
Mason Rudolph | Pittsburgh Steelers
Vincent Taylor | Houston Texans
Tylan Wallace | Baltimore Ravens
James Washington | Pittsburgh Steelers
Rodarius Williams | New York Giants
I had three quick thoughts on the results of NFL Roster Cut Day as it relates to these former Cowboys.
1. What’s Tyron Gotta Do?
Tyron Johnson was one of the NFL’s more exciting surprise successes of last year, providing an instant home run target for Chargers rookie sensation QB Justin Herbert.
It was a small sample size but look at what Tyron did with his opportunities. He caught 20 of 26 targets (76.9% catch rate). He scored three times in those 26 targets and 15 of them were completed for first down. Tyron’s first three career catches each went for over 50 yards and his 19.9 yards per reception would have ranked second in the NFL if the sample size was big enough to qualify.
At the start of training camp, Tyron was a shoo-in to make the active 53 but his reps seemed to wane as the camp went on and it’s unclear why. Again, he could still sign with the Chargers practice squad but his exclusion on Tuesday probably makes it more likely that he’ll land with another team.
2. A Fresh Start for Vincent Taylor
Taylor’s NFL career has had more ups than downs, but when he’s been healthy he’s been effective. When on the field with Dolphins during his first two seasons, Taylor was one of the highest-rated interior defensive linemen in the league according to Pro Football Focus. But since then, he saw consecutive years ending in injury and played for three teams over the last three years before landing with Houston this offseason.
But it appears he might have found a home.
Taylor is listed as a starter on the Texans’ unofficial depth chart. Again, when give the opportunity, he just makes plays.
3. Rodarius Williams Earned His Spot
Williams was the model of consistency over his career at OSU, setting a school record by starting 48 consecutive games. Then he became one of the nations best lockdown corners in 2020, leading some talking heads to predict him as high as a first round pick.
Williams would ultimately get selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round, but didn’t let that slide dissuade him from gunning for, and earning, a spot on the active roster.
In the Giants’ preseason finale, with starting corner Adoree Jackson sidelined with an ankle injury, Williams got the starter and looked more than capable against Nelson Agholor. In fact, now former Patriots QB Cam Newton went after the rookie from the opening series and he was more than up to the challenge.
The NFL regular season officially kicks off on Thursday, September 9.
The post Three Thoughts on NFL Roster Day: Which Former Pokes Made the Cut appeared first on Pistols Firing.