Close Article Return to stream X
NFL •

5 Dallas Cowboys Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

+Read full article
Getty Images

5 Dallas Cowboys Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

jason garrett
Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys again had a successful haul in the NFL Draft. Last season, the Cowboys were good enough to make a Super Bowl, but as everyone knows, they ended up falling short by losing to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round. With their added competition, these five Cowboys have to step up in OTAs to prove their worth on the 53-man roster.

5. Ronald Leary

ronald leary
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

5. Ronald Leary

ronald leary
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While left guard Ronald Leary did play extremely well in the 2014 season, the fact of the matter is that the Cowboys got a first-round talent in the undrafted free agent period of the offseason in La'el Collins. Knowing his athleticism and versatility, Collins could play at a number of positions, but the likely position for him is left guard. That said, Leary could be out of a job.

4. James Hanna

james hanna
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

4. James Hanna

james hanna
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

While James Hanna provides some athleticism in the pass-catching game, his best skill for the Cowboys comes through the running department. In 2015, Hanna will be in the last year of his contract, and while he's a good player, the likelihood of the Cowboys keeping on a second contract doesn't make sense, as the Cowboys drafted a run-blocking tight end in Geoff Swaim.

3. Darren McFadden

darren mcfadden
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Darren McFadden

darren mcfadden
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

If Darren McFadden can stay healthy, he'll have the opportunity of a lifetime to resurrect his career. In Dallas, McFadden will get the chance to run behind the league's best offensive line. He'll also get the chance to work in a good rotation with Joseph Randle and Ryan Williams. However, if Randle and Williams perform well in the offseason, McFadden's role will be limited.

2. Brandon Weeden

brandon weeden
Getty Images

2. Brandon Weeden

brandon weeden
Getty Images

When Tony Romo got injured in 2014, the Cowboys turned to Brandon Weeden. In just one game, Weeden was absolutely abysmal. Given the amount of money he's receiving this season, the Cowboys would be better to cut ties with Weeden and go with a backup duo of Dustin Vaughan, a guy who spent time as the development quarterback last year, and perhaps youngster Brandon Bridge.

1. Brandon Carr

brandon carr
Getty Images

1. Brandon Carr

brandon carr
Getty Images

Brandon Carr is atrocious. That's been the narrative for the past two seasons for Cowboys fans. While Carr has been horrible for the majority of his career in Dallas, the reality is that he wasn't that bad towards the end of the season and the playoffs last season. Despite that, the Cowboys could easily insert Byron Jones across from Orlando Scandrick, instead of Carr.

Ryan Ratty is a writer for RantSports.
Your Favorites