3 UDFAs that could make the team in 2023 — Cowboys roster outlook

The three biggest factors in figuring out who might make the team are talent, opportunity, and, of course, money.

The bigger the signing bonus and guarantee tell a lot about who the team thinks can make the team as a rookie.

With that being said, let’s look at the three players (and two honorable mentions) I see having the best chance of making the roster.

DE Tyrus Wheat — Mississippi State

Tyrus Wheat passes the test on two of those three main factors — talent and money.

First, let’s discuss talent. I do not evaluate draft prospects, so I default to those who do it full-time year-round.

One of those people is TheAthletic’s Dane Brugler, who had Wheat as his 129th overall player and a fourth-round grade.

Unless a medical issue caused him to go undrafted, teams obviously didn’t feel the same way, but the NFL has been wrong plenty of times before.

Even if Brugler overvalued him a bit, acquiring a draftable player at a premium position like edge rusher could be a massive steal.

Now, the money. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Wheat signed a deal that included a $20,000 signing bonus plus a $185,000 salary guarantee.

For reference, the $205,000 in total guarantees would have ranked in the top 10 for guarantees in 2022 for undrafted free agents. The Cowboys wanted Wheat and wouldn’t let money stand in its way.

The only question is opportunity. Last year’s initial 53-man roster had seven defensive ends if you include Micah Parsons.

With six — Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Sam Williams, Chauncey Golston, and Dante Fowler — practically guaranteed a roster spot, there could be as little as one or two spots open.

The Cowboys also added Viliami Fehoko in the fourth round this year so it’s hard to see Wheat supplanting him in training camp for what could be the final spot at defensive end.

Here’s the hope for Wheat: Fehoko and/or Golston may be considered defensive tackles more so than defensive ends which could open a seat at the table for Wheat.