The Dallas Cowboys’ training camp has been spectacular to watch so far. Players like CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons are primed for massive jumps this year. Some players are due for a hefty payday.
Some players aren’t going to be quite as lucky.
In 2023, the NFL’s 53-man roster cut deadline is August 29th at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Any NFL player and fan knows that the days leading up to the cut deadline are intense. We’ve learned quite a lot from training camp, and a handful of players are on the wrong side of the fence. Here are three fading stars who could be cut by the August 29th deadline.
Fading Stars: Three Cowboys Who Might Not Last Training Camp
Kelvin Joseph, CB
It’s like breaking up in a relationship you want to work, but you know it isn’t going to.
Ceedee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Dennis Houston have been shredding Joseph in training camp. He had a disappointing 2022 campaign, and the cornerback room is loading up. Joseph had an especially ugly game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He allowed two different touchdowns within three minutes, springing the Jaguars 17-point comeback. The emergence of Daron Bland only worsens Joseph’s chance of seeing the field again.
The former second-round selection’s only bright spot has appeared on special teams. Joseph’s 17 snaps on special teams with a combined 483 snaps saw him total 20 tackles and one forced fumble in the playoffs. While his numbers don’t jump right off the charts, he has been serviceable.
It’s clear that Dallas still wants the Kelvin Joseph experiment to work, and that might mean shifting him to special teams full-time. However, do not be surprised if Joseph has seen his last Dallas training camp.
Simi Fehoko, WR
The former 2021 5th-round draft pick was a slight unknown coming out of college. The college tape was excellent for a receiver picked past the fourth round, and the potential was there. Until this offseason, his only real competition for WR4 was Jalen Tolbert.
Fehoko is no longer an unknown.
The lack of production in camp speaks volumes to Fehoko’s underperformance. He has been dropping passes and pulling up early, allowing interceptions. He only managed to haul in three catches for 22 total yards in 2022. Given these points, Fehoko looks to be the odd man out at wide receiver, and his special teams play is underwhelming too.
Trevon Diggs’ second interception of the day pic.twitter.com/nou3HjwedL
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 8, 2023
More bad news came for Fehoko when in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys selected wide receiver Jalen Brooks out of South Carolina.
Brooks and Tolbert are actively gunning for Fehoko’s job as the fourth receiver. Both receivers have had an above-average training camp. Fehoko has an uphill battle if he wants to make the roster against the two of them. Nevertheless, his talent doesn’t match his production. He could be gone by the end of August.
Neville Gallimore, DT
The NFL is a brutal and unforgiving animal. So was Neville Gallimore, at one point.
Gallimore was regarded by NFL fans as a great value pick at 82 overall in the 2020 NFL draft, some even called him a steal. His large wingspan and block-shedding talent attracted the Dallas coaching staff initially. Shortly after his impressive rookie campaign, Gallimore began to feel the heat. Things fell apart quickly after a 2021 preseason injury against the Cardinals.
Gallimore never totaled more than four tackles per game, landing him at the 120th ranking for 127 Defensive Lineman. Not impressive.
And, he has been practically invisible in training camp.
Gallimore’s rotation slowed as the season progressed, and it became apparent as to why very quickly. His run defense was atrocious, he only got to the quarterback once, and he is already 26 years old. The moment he was assigned with covering George Kittle in the playoff game against the 49ers, it all became clear.
Neville Gallimore is not a starting defensive lineman, and likely will not be any time soon. He is the most likely out of the three candidates to be cut before the 2023 season begins.
Every year in Dallas Cowboys training camp, there appears to be an odd man out. These three players are the odd men out at their respective position. Don’t bet the house on these players returning to Jerry world next season.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
