Training camp and preseason matters more than ever to the Dallas Cowboys. No matter how you got on the roster, performance is what wins the day when it comes to staying on the roster.
And when the Cowboys announced their initial 53-man roster on Sunday it was notable that veteran running back Jaydon Blue, a 2025 fifth-round pick from Texas, and edge rusher Sam Williams, a 2022 second-round pick, were released.
But the facts are that neither never lived up to expectations and were hounded by questions on and off the field during their time with the Cowboys.
There is a chance Blue gets signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
But the news of the final cuts were that guys like running back Malik Davis, receiver Camden Brown and cornerback Ameer Speed did make the team.
Despite a strong end to last season, Davis opened camp running fourth at running back behind starter Javonte Williams, Blue and 2025-seventh-round pick Phil Mafah, who was also released.
Davis was simply better and in camp the preseason and got rewarded.
The same is true for Brown, who joined the Cowboys as an unheralded undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern. He started making plays from Day 1 of training camp and throughout the preseason. He recorded six receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns in three games.
Much of the discourse surrounded whether the Cowboys were going to keep five or six receivers as Brown was competing with Jonathan Mingo for the final two spots. They kept the Mingo, a veteran who is stronger on special teams. But they also kept Brown.
Speed, unheralded offseason free agent signing with 17 career games on his resume with brief stops in New England, Houston, Indianapolis and Chicago, as well as the UFL, came out of nowhere to make the initial 53 with a strong camp.
Speed was likely kept for special teams as well as safety Alijah Clark.
Williams has just nine sacks since joining the Cowboys. And while he signed a one-year deal with $2 million guaranteed in March, his spot was in jeopardy the moment the team signed veteran edge rusher Von Miller in training camp.
The Cowboys also made one trade on Sunday, sending backup tackle Nate Thomas to the Houston Texans for a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Thomas entered camp competing with Tyler Guyton for the starting spot at left tackle. But he remained inconsistent and seemingly unplayable.
His spot became expendable on Saturday when the Cowboys acquired tackle Broderick Jones in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Cowboys also kept three quarterbacks on the roster with Sam Howell and Joe Milton set to back up starter Dak Prescott.
Again, this is the initial 53-man roster. The Cowboys could make some claims off waivers on Monday.
They will also add several players back to the practice squad once they clear waivers.
