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It’s good news for the Dallas Cowboys that George Pickens’ 2026 contract status has been put to bed. And QB Dak Prescott plans to keep doing this thing. Still, there are guys on the roster bubble. And here are three Cowboys cut candidates on the chopping block entering the 2026 NFL training camp.
The Cowboys have a strong roster. Hopes are high for a splash season. But both of those things mean making the roster will be more challenging than in other seasons.
Which players appear to be in the most danger of getting cut loose?
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WR Jonathan Mingo
A second-round pick (No. 39 overall) in 2023, Mingo hasn’t been able to find his NFL footing. He got a shot in his rookie season with 85 targets. But he caught only 43 passes for 418 yards and zero touchdowns.
Yeah, that zero touchdowns thing? That’s a career-defining stat these days. In three NFL seasons, Mingo has yet to experience the joy of a score.
And now he’s struggling to hold on to a roster spot with the Cowboys. Currently behind CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, Kavontae Turpin, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mingo doesn’t have a clear road to The 53.
Maybe the only thing that gives Mingo a fighting chance is Jerry Jones’ ego. The Cowboys’ owner sent a fourth-round pick to the Panthers in 2024. Cutting Mingo would be admitting it was a mistake.
Another problem for Mingo has been the rise of 2025 undrafted free agent Traeshon Holden, according to dallasnews.com.
“Holden impressed in training camp last year before spending all of last season on the practice squad,” Elias Valverde II wrote. “Could the former undrafted free agent do it again? He might have the chance. Holden appeared during minicamp to be higher in the wide receiver rotation than he was last year and, frankly, than was expected to start this offseason.
“There’s going to be plenty of competition for the team’s fifth wide receiver spot. Holden should be considered a viable candidate, especially if he can consistently make the most out of chances in training camp.”
RB Malik Davis
Davis is currently slotted at RB2 on the Cowboys’ depth chart, according to ESPN. Therefore, he has a chance to stick.
The problem is running back Jaydon Blue. One of those two guys will be the main backup behind Javonte Williams. The other could be out the door if Phil Mafah earns a roster spot.
Blue has stepped up his game, according to dallasnews.com.
“The intelligence is off the charts,” Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said last year. “I mean, the guy is football brilliant. He really is.”
However, Blue didn’t have a real role.
“I was very honest with my opinion of why he wasn’t active,” Schottenheimer said. “So we had some really great conversations. He took that, he ingested it, took it in, and he’s come back with a great look on his face and a great work ethic.”
Still, it comes down to finding your way in the NFL. And Blue believes he learned a lesson, applying it in the offseason.
“Really, I was just grinding,” Blue said. “Just grinding, making sure I’m in the playbook, staying in contact with Dak [Prescott], my position coach [Derrick Foster], coach Schotty all offseason. I think those things, it’s going really well for me right now.”
All of those things put Davis in a tough spot. He’s trying to fight off Blue’s challenge. But right now, he’s as much or more of a cut candidate.
QB Joe Milton III
Given the way the Cowboys have operated recently, it seems Milton is the type of player they want as a backup quarterback. However, he may struggle to hold off Sam Howell for that position.
The problem with Milton is whether he could provide the consistency the Cowboys would want if Prescott missed any time.
It’s definitely a competition, according to Sports Illustrated.
“Sam was the guy we watched the film, we were like, man, if we could have Sam Howell and Joe Milton on this football team and give those guys both a chance to compete,” Schottenheimer said. “They’re both uber talented. They both have big-time arm strength. Sam started, actually, 20-something games in this league, which is great.
“But, yeah, it’s an open competition. We’re excited for both those guys to go, and you can never have enough quarterbacks to develop. And I think we developed the quarterback at a very high rate in our system, and a chance to get a guy like Sam. And Sam was excited to come here, quite honestly, to be developed by us, and the way we do it. So we should be good.”
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