3 veterans Cowboys could cut because of NFL Draft

While the secondary struggled this past season, their rush defense was even worse. As a whole, the Cowboys surrendered a 158.8 rushing yards per game (second-highest in NFL) and 5.0 yards per carry (third-most). With that, the Cowboys needed to beef up the middle.

In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cowboys selected UCLA’s Osa Odighizuwa in the third round and Kentucky’s Quinton Bohanna in the sixth. The defensive tackle depth chart is pretty crowded. One name who could be on the outside looking in is Carlos Watkins.

This past offseason, the Cowboys signed Watkins to a one-year, $1.75 million contract. Obviously, the Cowboys made this signing before they gave drafted the two rookies. In his four years with the Houston Texans, Watkins had recorded 74 total tackles, five defended passes, four sacks and two fumble recoveries.

The decision of which defensive tackles to keep will come down to training camp. If the two prospects or even the likes of Trysten Hill or Neville Gallimore step up, then Watkins could very well be shown the door. According to Spotrac, the Cowboys save $1.35 million in cap space if they release Watkins before or after June 1.